Director of Finance

Unique opportunity to lead the finance function of an award-winning national design firm, serving as a trusted partner to executive leadership while leading and developing an experienced finance team.

As a key partner to the COO, CEO, Principals, and firm leaders, the Director of Finance will bring together financial rigor, business insight, and strong leadership to ensure strong financial operations and provide leaders with the information and insight needed to effectively manage the business.

We’re looking for someone who knows the numbers and knows how to translate them into action. The right leader will be equally comfortable ensuring the integrity of our financial operations, leading and developing a strong finance team, overseeing the day-to-day work of the function, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, and advising senior leaders on the financial performance of the business.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer
, the Director of Finance will lead SCB’s finance and accounting function from our Chicago headquarters, serving as a trusted advisor to the COO, CEO, Principals, and senior leaders across the firm.

You will lead an experienced team responsible for the day-to-day financial operations of the business, overseeing everything from financial reporting and forecasting to billing, collections, and budgeting. Beyond ensuring strong financial operations, you will provide leadership with clear visibility into firm performance, trends, risks, and opportunities to support sound business decisions.

Partner with the business. Work closely with the COO, CEO, Principals, Studio Leaders, and Department Heads to translate financial information into meaningful insights, recommendations, and actions.

Lead financial performance and reporting. Own the integrity, accuracy, and timeliness of financial reporting, including month-end close, management reporting, forecasting, variance analysis, and year-end activities.

Turn data into insight. Analyze financial and operational performance across the firm, including project and studio profitability, backlog, utilization, staffing trends, and other key business indicators. Identify trends and translate them into actionable insights that help leadership make informed business decisions.

Lead and develop the finance team. Provide hands‑on, effective leadership to a small accounting team, establishing clear priorities, managing workload, developing talent, and maintaining a culture of accountability and excellence.

Oversee core finance and accounting operations. Manage the day‑to‑day work of the function, including general ledger, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash flow, billings and collections, payroll, fixed assets, budgeting, and financial reporting.

Maintain effective systems and processes. Oversee financial systems, workflows, controls, policies, and reporting tools, identifying opportunities for improvement where appropriate to support efficiency, accuracy, and strong financial operations.

Lead planning and forecasting. Lead ongoing forecasting and support the annual budgeting process, providing leaders with clear visibility into performance, trends, risks, and opportunities.

Support ownership and governance. Oversee shareholder‑related financial activities, including distributions, income tax projections, K‑1s, and equity transactions, while supporting the Finance Committee and related subcommittees.

Manage key financial relationships. Maintain productive relationships with banking, payroll, benefits, investment, audit, and tax partners.

We’re looking for a finance leader who combines technical depth with business judgment, strong people leadership, and a hands‑on approach to…