CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Joseph Phelps•Saint Helena, CA

15h•$225,000 - $305,000

About The Position

The Chief Financial Officer is the senior executive responsible for the financial leadership, stewardship, and long-term fiscal health of Joseph Phelps Vineyards. Reporting to and partnering closely with the Maison President, the CFO shapes and executes financial strategy, provides disciplined decision support, protects company assets, and ensures the integrity of financial operations and reporting. The CFO leads accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, audit, internal controls, and financial systems. As a member of the executive leadership team, the CFO serves as a strategic partner to the Maison President, translating business strategy into actionable financial plans, driving long-term value creation, optimizing capital allocation, and providing insights that support sustainable growth, profitability, and operational excellence. The role also leads and develops the finance organization and builds productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Proven success as a CFO or senior finance executive with broad responsibility for accounting, financial planning and analysis, treasury, tax, audit, internal controls, and business partnership.
At least 15 years of progressive finance experience, including significant senior leadership responsibility in a complex operating environment.
Strong command of financial reporting, accounting principles, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, working capital, capital planning, financial modeling, and performance management.
Demonstrated ability to advise senior executives, influence enterprise decisions, and balance growth opportunities with financial discipline and risk management.
Experience improving financial systems, processes, reporting, and internal controls.
Demonstrated experience leading finance transformation initiatives, including process improvement, systems implementation, reporting enhancements, and organizational capability building.
Ability to work effectively with auditors, tax advisors, banking partners, insurers, and other external advisors.
Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, including the ability to communicate financial information clearly and credibly.
High personal and professional integrity, sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, resilience, and respect for diverse perspectives.
Collaborative, action-oriented leadership style, strong attention to detail, and commitment to accuracy and accountability.
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, economics, business administration, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience leading finance for a multi-entity or complex business structure; experience in a global or group reporting environment is preferred.
Experience in wine, consumer products, manufacturing, agriculture, hospitality, or another inventory-intensive business is preferred; winery operations and cost accounting experience are a plus.
CPA, MBA, or another relevant advanced degree or professional credential.

Responsibilities

Advise the Maison President and executive leadership team on business strategy, financial performance, risk management, investment priorities, and resource allocation.
Translate strategic objectives into financial plans, performance targets, and execution priorities.
Lead the transformation of the finance function through process optimization, systems enhancements, data analytics, and continuous improvement.
Evaluate business opportunities, investments, partnerships, and operational initiatives through financial analysis, scenario modeling, and risk assessment.
Provide financial perspectives and recommendations to enhance profitability, cash generation, and long-term enterprise value.
Deliver timely, accurate, decision-oriented financial insights for executive and ownership-level decisions.
Partner with the Maison President to balance financial performance with brand equity, consumer experience, and sustainable value creation.
Oversee accounting functions, including the general ledger, accounts payable and receivable, inventory accounting, fixed assets, and month- and year-end close.
Ensure accurate and timely financial statements and management reporting that meet accounting standards, regulatory requirements, and group reporting expectations.
Establish accounting policies and financial governance standards, maintain effective controls, and safeguard company assets.
Oversee external financial audits and coordinate timely responses and remediation of audit findings.
Maintain financial process documentation, segregation of duties, and effective approval authorities.
Lead annual budgeting, strategic planning, rolling forecasts, and long-range planning with business leaders.
Develop integrated financial models connecting revenue, pricing, volume, production, inventory, operating costs, capital requirements, and cash flow.
Analyze actual results against budgets, forecasts, and prior periods, identifying drivers, risks, opportunities, and corrective actions.
Establish and monitor financial and operational performance indicators, particularly profitability, working capital, inventory, cost of goods, and return on investment.
Provide analyses and scenario planning to support commercial, operational, and investment decisions.
Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, banking relationships, and treasury operations.
Develop cash flow forecasts and ensure adequate liquidity for operating needs, strategic priorities, and capital commitments.
Advise on capital structure, working capital, financing alternatives, and allocation of financial resources.
Lead financial evaluation and governance of capital expenditures, including business cases, approval recommendations, and post-investment reviews.
Optimize working capital through oversight of receivables, payables, inventory, and cash conversion.
Oversee applicable tax matters in coordination with internal resources and external advisors.
Ensure compliance with financial, accounting, tax, banking, and related regulatory requirements, internal policies, and delegated authorities.
Lead the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of internal controls, including controls over financial reporting.
Work with leadership and advisors to identify, assess, and mitigate financial and enterprise risks, including insurance-related exposures.
Promote integrity, accountability, transparency, and sound financial discipline throughout the organization.
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance organization, including accountability, succession planning, and continuous improvement.
Strengthen technical, analytical, leadership, and business-partnering capabilities across the finance function.
Foster a collaborative, service-oriented culture while maintaining financial stewardship and governance.
Communicate complex financial concepts effectively and influence decision-making across the organization.
Build and maintain relationships with ownership representatives, auditors, financial institutions, tax advisors, insurers, and business partners.