Director, Finance

GTI Energy•Rosemont, IL

17d•$150,000 - $200,000•Hybrid

About The Position

GTI Energy has an exciting opportunity to bring on a Director of Finance to lead financial planning, performance management, and strategic decision support across the organization. This role serves as a key finance leader responsible for translating GTI Energy’s strategic priorities into actionable financial plans while ensuring strong financial discipline, operational efficiency, and compliance. The Director of Finance combines forward-looking strategy (FP&A, investment analysis, modeling) with strong operational execution (close oversight, reporting, controls, and audit readiness). This role partners closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to drive business performance, optimize resource allocation, and enhance organizational decision-making.

Requirements

Advanced financial modeling, forecasting, and analytical skills
Ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights
Strong understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, and internal controls
Experience operating in project-based, grant-funded, or regulated environments
Executive-level communication and ability to influence decision-making
Strong leadership and team development capabilities
Proven ability to drive process improvements and finance transformation initiatives
High attention to detail with a strong focus on data accuracy and integrity
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field
12+ years of progressive experience in finance leadership roles
Strong experience in FP&A, financial reporting, and compliance environments

Nice To Haves

MBA, CPA, CMA, or CFA preferred
Experience in DOE, grant-funded, or regulated environments strongly preferred
Proven track record of partnering with senior leadership and driving business impact

Responsibilities

Serve as a strategic financial advisor to executive leadership, influencing key business decisions and long-term direction
Lead the development of long-range financial plans, aligning investment strategy with GTI’s mission and growth objectives
Support enterprise-wide resource allocation, funding strategies, and prioritization of strategic initiatives
Evaluate program economics, portfolio performance, and ROI, including grant-funded and DOE-related programs
Provide forward-looking insights on financial risks and opportunities, including scenario planning and sensitivity analysis
Own the annual budgeting process and rolling forecasts, ensuring alignment across all business units
Lead monthly and quarterly financial performance reviews with executive stakeholders
Provide robust variance analysis, identifying drivers and recommending corrective actions
Develop and enhance financial models, dashboards, and KPIs to improve visibility into performance
Monitor cost structures, margins, utilization, and labor economics to optimize financial outcomes
Oversee timely, accurate, and GAAP-compliant financial reporting, including income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow
Partner with Accounting to ensure a disciplined and efficient close process, including clear ownership and accountability
Develop board-level and executive reporting packages focused on key business drivers and performance trends
Ensure data integrity, system alignment, and reporting consistency across FP&A and Accounting platforms
Ensure compliance with GAAP, Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200), and applicable regulatory requirements
Partner with Accounting leadership to maintain a strong internal control environment and audit-ready processes
Oversee the development and enforcement of financial policies, procedures, and governance frameworks
Act as a key liaison to external auditors and audit committees, supporting audits and driving timely resolution of findings
Proactively identify and mitigate financial, compliance, and operational risks
Identify and execute cost optimization initiatives, balancing efficiency with program delivery and impact
Drive finance transformation initiatives, including automation, standardization, and process redesign (e.g., Project Mint)
Improve forecast accuracy, reporting speed, and scalability of finance operations
Analyze headcount, capacity, and cost structures to inform staffing and resourcing decisions (aligned with your org redesign work)
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FP&A and finance business partnering team
Establish clear accountability frameworks, performance expectations, and development plans
Build a culture of ownership, continuous improvement, and strong business partnership
Coach team members on financial storytelling and executive-level communication
Partner closely with program, engineering, research, operations, and procurement teams
Support grant, project accounting, and funding compliance efforts with strong financial insight
Enhance financial transparency and data-driven decision-making across the organization
Serve as a key contributor to organization-wide initiatives, including transformation and strategic planning
Perform other duties as assigned