Director of Finance, Pensacola, Florida

posted: 13th January 2026

CFO Recruit is partnering exclusively with a client in the Northern Gulf Coast of Florida to recruit a Director of Finance.  As a result of continued growth an exciting opportunity exists for a finance leader to partner with the leadership team in driving strategy.

The Director of Finance will oversee and manage the entire range of financial operations, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency across all financial functions. Beyond operational management, the role will require a more strategic approach to help shape and guide the company’s financial direction in alignment with its growth objectives and broader business strategy. Additionally, there is a need to improve systems and processes to bring order and drive efficiency within the finance function.

The ideal candidate will be a Senior Controller, Director of Finance or VP Finance who demonstrates excellent leadership skills, is technically proficient and experienced. The successful candidate will also be capable of driving change, fostering a positive and collaborative culture, and providing leadership that instills confidence at the executive level. This individual will play a key role in supporting the company’s next phase of growth, ensuring that the finance function can scale with the business while maintaining control, governance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement the company’s financial strategy in alignment with long-term growth objectives.
• Provide strategic guidance on business opportunities, operational improvements, and financial performance.
• Manage day-to-day financial operations, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis.
• Manage cash flow, capital expenditures, and cost control to support profitability.
• Implement and maintain systems and processes that improve the efficiency and accuracy of financial operations.
• Review and enhance the company’s financial systems to ensure scalability, accuracy, and transparency.
• Identify areas for improvement in financial processes and recommend solutions to drive operational efficiency and reduce bottlenecks.
• Work closely with the CEO, COO, and other department leaders to provide financial insights that inform strategic decisions.
• Partner with other departments, such as operations and HR, to ensure that financial goals are aligned with business activities.
• Provide board-level reporting, offering clear and actionable insights into the company’s financial health.
• Ensure the company’s financial practices comply with relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Maintain strong internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure accurate financial reporting.

Skills/experience:

• A Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field is required; CPA, CMA, or other relevant financial certifications are a plus.
• Proven experience as a Director of Finance or in a senior financial leadership role within a growth-oriented company.
• Ability to work hands on in the detail with experience of managing financial operations in a dynamic, multi-division organization.
• Strong background in both operational finance and strategic financial planning, with the ability to scale financial operations in alignment with business growth.
• Proven success in driving change, improving processes, and building high-performance finance teams.
• Expertise in implementing financial systems and processes to improve operational efficiency and scalability.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to engage effectively with senior executives and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and ethics.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships across all levels of the organization.