VP of Finance

VP of Finance

(Remote, with Chicagoland preference)

8th Light is a global team of software, design, and technology professionals. Rooted in a culture of continuous learning and collaboration, we’re employee-owned, and headquartered in Chicago, but our more than 140 team members live and work in locations including London, New York, Los Angeles, and Austin. 

We partner with forward-thinking people and organizations to help them imagine and create elegant, robust, and groundbreaking software solutions to complex problems.We embrace the need for adaptability in a constantly changing world. We specialize in hiring and developing technical talent allowing for and nurturing a conducive environment for growth -- where people feel supported to thrive. By exemplifying the values of humanity, education, and ownership in everything we do, our crafters help clients master the challenges in front of them while building great opportunities ahead. 

We enjoy working with empathetic, passionate collaborators who value the work they do. At this time, we are seeking a full time VP of Finance to focus on key areas of the business: FP&A, Tax, Compliance, Shareholder Equity, and M&A. This position will report directly to the CEO while partnering closely with the executive leadership team.  It should be noted that title for the role will be commensurate with the experience of each candidate considered for the position; irrespective of title, the successful hire will be a member of the executive team and will report directly to the CEO.

You have operated at the helm of a global organization as a VP of Finance or possibly as a Chief Financial Officer, managing annual revenues above $30 million, preferably at a professional services or consulting company. You have led the operational planning and financial management of global teams supporting sound business decisions. Your expertise as a financial steward and business leader is managed through the execution of a sound financial plan, healthy operating margins and budget. You have worked directly with the CEO, board and finance team members to accurately forecast and plan multiple scenarios and paths for the organization's success. You have partnered closely with your executive team members and peers to support the people, processes and systems that allow the business to thrive. In addition, you have continually delivered your best through the following demonstrated efforts:

• Strengthened your financial stewardship and advisory capabilities as a C-suite leader over at least 8 years.
• Developed strategies for the automation and enhancement of tools and systems for the upkeep and timely execution of routine finance, accounting and planning tasks.
• Led global taxation process and filings for a variety of entities including: LLC, LTD, S-Corp, C-Corp.
• Cultivated a  people centered approach as a strategic thought partner and SME in finance along with other functional leaders.
• Coached and mentored direct reports, including Controllers, FP&A Analysts, Accountants and Managers to strengthen the functions and to collaborate more closely with other departments.
• Oversaw and administered valuation and company equity plans where employees are shareholders.
• Led external financial and tax audits with deep expertise in legal and regulatory compliance.
• Managed costs of business and or delivery to maximize profits, taking ownership of opportunities to educate those within the business of the importance of forecasting accurate expenditures and revenue.
• Utilized your education (BSc/BA in Accounting, Commerce or Finance) and training as a CPA to bring rigor, structure and confidence to the function of finance in driving company strategy and meeting goals/ targets.
• Managed expectations while driving M&A strategy and leading negotiations with a familiarity of deal markets and valuations.
• Led deliverables, deal analysis, diligence, and integration for M&A strategy.

You will oversee the related areas of AR/AP,  billing, payroll, planning, budgeting forecasting and audits. Your role will focus on the roadmap ahead, cautiously and steadily providing realism about the current state, while carefully setting up the resources and strategy to support what’s ahead. You will build and manage a team where people bring astute recommendations and opinions to your purview and you consider or support their contributions. In addition you will:

• Oversee all global taxation for the entities of 8th Light: LLC, S-Corp., C-Corp, and LTD
• Manage all regulations, vendors and reporting of 8th Light to ensure compliance.
• Create clear accountability lines and deliverables with outsourced vendors in legal, tax, compliance, accounting and finance.
• Solidify FP&A capabilities and a disciplined and participatory Annual Operating Planning process.
• Review and approve financial statements, reconciliations, journal entries, balance sheets and the General Ledger.
• Monitor cash balances and cash forecasts; arrange debt and equity financing if needed.
• Influence potential and future acquisitions from due diligence to post-deal integration.
• Participate in activities to ready the organization and scan the market for opportunities to create value from M&A activities.
• Deliver models, analysis and benchmarks to meet Plan that come from your previous experience working in a consultancy or professional services environment.
• Understand and incorporate the financial and strategic logic of a dutiful strategy to support an operating model that is conducive to professional services/  consulting.
• Alert, challenge and monitor,  raising a red flag on concerns that may impact the business and forecasting ahead of time; accurately predicting and diagnosing how to go forward.
• Collaborate with other Executive team members and functional team leaders, as well as coaching and mentoring the finance team respectfully.
• Manage equity, stock ownership and long term incentive plans.

At 8th Light, we work across many areas, and encourage anyone with the experience mentioned above to apply. We particularly, would like to encourage applicants with experience in the following areas to apply:

• Previous experience on a Board or board membership
• Previous experience crafting and administering an equity and long-term incentive plan for a global company 
• Risk Assessment, Analysis and Management experience
• Deep experience with Entity establishment and management (LLC, S-Corp., C-Corp)
• MSc/MBA is a plus
• Strong organizational and stress management skills
• An ability to work with little to no supervision
• Preference will be given to candidates who live in the Chicagoland area although all US locations will be considered

Join Us –– 8th Light is Fully Remote

We recognize that creating a truly diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization is an ongoing journey, and we’re excited to share our journey with you. We have a proud tradition of hiring talented colleagues with unusual career experiences. We're more interested in your experiences, results, and impact than brand names, degrees, or keywords that may appear on your resume.

8th Light currently recruits and supports a distributed team of employees in various states who work remotely. When opportunities allow we can also consider hiring talent eligible to work in the United Kingdom, Mexico, and Canada. In this new workplace landscape, it is rare that our consulting engagements require travel for current roles. 

We are committed to supporting, onboarding, growth, and engagement of employees who choose to work remotely on a permanent basis. For team members who seek to work in-office, where local regulations allow, we can provide an experience that supports in-person social interaction and collaboration in our hub cities of Chicago, New York, London and Los Angeles. Learn more about our philosophy, plans, and updates by signing up for our Talent Community!

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