Interim CFO

About the role

Vaco is conducting a highly confidential search for an Interim Chief Financial Officer on behalf of a private equity-backed, mid-market consumer services company headquartered in the Southeast. This organization is undergoing an ownership transition and is seeking an experienced finance executive to provide immediate leadership, strengthen financial operations, and serve as a strategic business partner to the executive team and investors.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CEO and executive leadership team, providing actionable financial insights to support strategic decision-making.
• Translate financial performance into meaningful business recommendations and operational priorities.
• Partner with ownership and leadership to establish a finance function aligned with private equity expectations and value creation initiatives.
• Drive a proactive, data-driven approach to forecasting, performance management, and business planning.
• Oversee all accounting and finance operations, ensuring timely, accurate, and decision-useful financial reporting.
• Enhance EBITDA-focused reporting and KPI visibility across the organization.
• Strengthen forecasting, budgeting, and cash flow management processes.
• Establish reporting packages and financial analytics that provide clear insight into business performance, profitability, and operational drivers.
• Improve communication and consistency of financial information between management and stakeholders.
• Partner cross-functionally to identify and execute operational improvement opportunities.
• Support cost optimization initiatives and performance improvement programs.
• Drive accountability throughout the organization by implementing effective measurement and reporting frameworks.
• Ensure finance serves as a collaborative business partner across operations, supply chain, marketing, technology, and other functional areas.
• Maintain a strong focus on cash management and working capital optimization.
• Provide leadership around liquidity planning and seasonal cash flow requirements.
• Ensure adequate visibility into future cash needs and operational funding requirements.

Requirements

• Prior CFO experience at a private equity-backed company with revenues in excess of $100 million.
• Demonstrated success leading finance functions for mid-market organizations.
• Strong understanding of private equity reporting, value creation plans, KPI management, and EBITDA-focused performance measurement.
• Experience partnering closely with executive leadership teams and investors.
• Proven ability to quickly assess situations, establish credibility, and drive results in an interim capacity.
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to operate strategically while remaining engaged in execution.

Qualifications

• Background within multi-location, multi-unit, retail, hospitality, consumer, franchised, or distributed service environments.
• Experience leading organizations through ownership transitions, business transformations, or operational improvement initiatives.
• Track record of improving financial reporting, forecasting, and business analytics.
• Experience supporting organizations with significant seasonality, inventory complexity, or operational scale.

Skills

• CFO
• Private Equity

Benefits

The engagement is expected to last approximately six months, with the potential for consideration for a permanent role.

Pay

$7,000 - $8,000 per week plus travel expenses

Schedule

Immediate availability preferred

About the Opportunity

This engagement offers the opportunity to work directly with executive leadership and investors during a pivotal stage of the company's evolution. The Interim CFO will have a meaningful impact on financial performance, operational effectiveness, and the continued professionalization of the organization while helping establish the foundation for long-term value creation.

Engagement Details

• Position: Interim Chief Financial Officer
• Duration: Approximately 6 months
• Location: Southeast U.S. (significant on-site presence required)

Desired Skills and Experience

• CFO
• Private Equity

Leadership Characteristics

• Highly collaborative and effective cross-functional partner.
• Strong communicator capable of influencing executives, investors, and operational leaders.
• Bias toward action and problem-solving.
• Proactive, accountable, and results-oriented.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced environments undergoing change and transformation.
• Skilled at building trust while driving organizational accountability.