Lucas James Talent Partners
Senior VP Finance & Operations
Lucas James Talent Partners, Chicago, Illinois, United States, 60290
Senior Vice President: Finance & Operations
Position Overview The Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations is a key executive responsible for overseeing the firm’s financial performance, operational excellence, human resources, and long-term strategic growth. This hybrid role provides leadership in financial management, operational planning, project controls, risk management, and organizational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience within the engineering, architecture, or construction (AEC) industries, with deep knowledge of project-based financial models and multi-disciplinary operations.
REPORTS TO: CEO / PRESIDENT
Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Strategy
Provide executive oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial reporting.
Develop and execute financial strategies to support growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
Lead annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and capital allocation processes.
Ensure accurate revenue recognition (e.g., percent-complete accounting) and compliance with GAAP and industry-specific standards.
Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.
Oversee banking relationships, credit facilities, insurance programs, and treasury operations.
Direct internal controls, audit processes, and risk mitigation programs.
Operational Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operational functions across project management, finance, HR, and administrative areas.
Develop and implement operational systems and processes to increase efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Ensure resource planning, staffing allocations, and project delivery are aligned with company goals.
Lead performance measurement programs, including KPIs for operations, project delivery, and financial health.
Manage contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships at the enterprise level.
Oversee development and optimization of ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, etc).
Provide executive oversight of project budgeting, job costing, labor utilization, forecasting, and WIP reporting.
Ensure project managers have clear financial visibility and operational resources to deliver work efficiently.
Establish best practices for project lifecycle management—from proposal to closeout.
Monitor project risks, contract compliance, and profitability across the portfolio.
Strategic Planning & Business Growth
Partner with the CEO and leadership team on long-term strategic planning and market positioning.
Lead initiatives to expand service lines, geographic reach, and operational capacity.
Help shape company culture and support the organization through change management.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and mentor senior leaders in Finance, Operations, and HR.
Build a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
Champion professional development, succession planning, and workforce optimization.
Promote cross-department alignment and communication.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred).
10–15+ years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience, ideally in engineering, AEC, or project-based firms.
Proven experience managing P&L, leading large teams, and driving company-wide operational excellence.
Strong understanding of project accounting, WIP, cost control, labor utilization, and engineering project workflows.
Experience with ERP systems such as Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint, Oracle, SAP, or similar.
Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive leadership skills.
Strong strategic thinking with the ability to execute operational plans effectively.
Skills
Executive leadership & decision-making
Financial strategy & risk management
Operational efficiency & process improvement
Project-based financial management
Cross-functional leadership
Strategic planning & business growth
Strong communication and relationship-building
Employment Information
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Finance, Human Resources, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Engineering Services, Architecture and Planning, and Construction
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Position Overview The Senior Vice President of Finance & Operations is a key executive responsible for overseeing the firm’s financial performance, operational excellence, human resources, and long-term strategic growth. This hybrid role provides leadership in financial management, operational planning, project controls, risk management, and organizational efficiency. The ideal candidate brings extensive experience within the engineering, architecture, or construction (AEC) industries, with deep knowledge of project-based financial models and multi-disciplinary operations.
REPORTS TO: CEO / PRESIDENT
Key Responsibilities Financial Leadership & Strategy
Provide executive oversight of all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, and financial reporting.
Develop and execute financial strategies to support growth, profitability, and long-term sustainability.
Lead annual budgeting, multi-year planning, and capital allocation processes.
Ensure accurate revenue recognition (e.g., percent-complete accounting) and compliance with GAAP and industry-specific standards.
Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to the CEO and leadership team.
Oversee banking relationships, credit facilities, insurance programs, and treasury operations.
Direct internal controls, audit processes, and risk mitigation programs.
Operational Leadership
Oversee day-to-day operational functions across project management, finance, HR, and administrative areas.
Develop and implement operational systems and processes to increase efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Ensure resource planning, staffing allocations, and project delivery are aligned with company goals.
Lead performance measurement programs, including KPIs for operations, project delivery, and financial health.
Manage contracts, procurement, and vendor relationships at the enterprise level.
Oversee development and optimization of ERP systems (e.g., Deltek, etc).
Provide executive oversight of project budgeting, job costing, labor utilization, forecasting, and WIP reporting.
Ensure project managers have clear financial visibility and operational resources to deliver work efficiently.
Establish best practices for project lifecycle management—from proposal to closeout.
Monitor project risks, contract compliance, and profitability across the portfolio.
Strategic Planning & Business Growth
Partner with the CEO and leadership team on long-term strategic planning and market positioning.
Lead initiatives to expand service lines, geographic reach, and operational capacity.
Help shape company culture and support the organization through change management.
Leadership & Team Development
Lead and mentor senior leaders in Finance, Operations, and HR.
Build a high-performing, collaborative, and accountable organizational culture.
Champion professional development, succession planning, and workforce optimization.
Promote cross-department alignment and communication.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, Engineering, Business, or related field (MBA and/or CPA strongly preferred).
10–15+ years of progressive financial and operational leadership experience, ideally in engineering, AEC, or project-based firms.
Proven experience managing P&L, leading large teams, and driving company-wide operational excellence.
Strong understanding of project accounting, WIP, cost control, labor utilization, and engineering project workflows.
Experience with ERP systems such as Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint, Oracle, SAP, or similar.
Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive leadership skills.
Strong strategic thinking with the ability to execute operational plans effectively.
Skills
Executive leadership & decision-making
Financial strategy & risk management
Operational efficiency & process improvement
Project-based financial management
Cross-functional leadership
Strategic planning & business growth
Strong communication and relationship-building
Employment Information
Seniority level: Executive
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Finance, Human Resources, and Strategy/Planning
Industries: Engineering Services, Architecture and Planning, and Construction
#J-18808-Ljbffr