Chief Financial Officer

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a forward-looking, collaborative, and business-oriented Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to guide the financial strategy of our 100% employee-owned firm. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial direction of a purpose-driven organization that is growing, innovating, and investing in its future.

As CFO, you will be a core member of both the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT), partnering closely with regional and corporate leaders to steward our financial health and strengthen our employee ownership culture. You will bring rigor, visibility, and strategic insight to decisions that advance internal operations, empower our people, elevate our client service, and sustain long-term value creation.

We are looking for a leader who thrives at the intersection of strategy, operational execution, and organizational culture. Someone who embraces complexity, communicates clearly, and builds trusted partnerships across the business.

This position reports to the Chief Executive Officer/President and operates on a hybrid schedule, with a preference for Phoenix, Chicago, or Denver, or proximity to any SWCA office. Remote or distributed work arrangements may be considered for the right candidate.

Candidates must submit a letter of interest with their application.

Final date to receive applications
:
Our team will begin reviewing applications immediately, and interviews will be scheduled with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The application process will remain open until February 27, 2026
. We appreciate the time and effort invested by all applicants and will carefully consider each submission.

Lead with Strategic Financial Vision:

• Develop and execute an enterprise financial strategy that supports SWCA's long-term growth, resilience, and purpose.
• Provide clear, timely financial insights and forecasting to guide executive decision-making and strategic investment.
• Ensure financial practices align with our ownership culture, supporting transparency, sustainability, and long-term value creation.

Strengthen Financial Systems, Planning & Performance:

• Drive actionable enterprise financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting across geographic P&L centers.
• Advance systems modernization, including ERP implementation, to improve accuracy, efficiency, and real-time business intelligence.
• Drive discipline in financial performance management, enabling leaders to act quickly and confidently.

Steward Corporate Governance & Ownership Excellence:

• Ensure rigorous financial governance, compliance, and controls across the organization.
• Oversee annual independent valuations and key financial processes that support our employee-owned structure.
• Partner with the CEO, Board, and Audit & Compliance committee to ensure financial clarity and alignment with long-term goals through successful financial audits.
• Foster and maintain relationships with banking, audit/tax, and valuation partners.

Drive Operational and Strategic Impact:

• Collaborate with the Chief Delivery Officer, Chief Growth Officer, Chief People Officer, Chief Digital Information Officer, and regional leadership to connect financial strategy with operational realities.
• Evaluate and optimize margin performance, pricing strategies, and enterprise investments.
• Support strategic initiatives, including M&A evaluation, capital allocation, and potential growth areas, with data-driven insight.

Develop High-Performing Teams and Future-Focused Talent:

• Mentor and grow finance, accounting, payroll, legal, risk management, safety, and related operational teams.
• Foster a culture of curiosity, accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Ensure teams have the capabilities, clarity, and support needed to deliver with excellence.
• Drive financial literacy and decision-making throughout SWCA's operational and client services leadership.

Champion Ownership and Partnership Across the Organization:

• Build strong relationships across regions and departments to elevate financial literacy, business acumen, and shared accountability.
• Translate complex financial concepts into clear, actionable guidance for leaders and employee-owners.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO, ELT, Board, and business leaders.

Competencies & Commitment:

• Strategic Mindset
• Business Insight
• Drives Vision and Purpose
• Manages Complexity
• Collaborates Across Boundaries
• Communicates Effectively
• Ensures Accountability

You'll Thrive Here if You:

• Are energized by connecting financial strategy with people, culture, and purpose.
• Think long-term and lead with integrity, transparency, and calm confidence.
• See challenges as opportunities to strengthen systems, clarity, and performance.
• Enjoy partnering across disciplines, regions, and functions in a collaborative model.
• Believe deeply in the power of employee ownership to drive meaningful outcomes.
• Bring both strategic prowess and operational follow-through.

Experience and…