Manager/Senior Manager, CFO Advisory

Stout • Chicago, IL

19h

About The Position

Stout is hiring a Manager or Senior Manager for its CFO Advisory practice. The role manages and executes client engagements focused on finance transformation, financial and operational performance improvement, working capital optimization, cost reduction, margin enhancement, and sustainable value creation. The position works with CFOs, finance leaders, operational stakeholders, and cross-functional teams at middle-market businesses and large organizations across industries, including private equity-backed and corporate environments.

The role combines financial analysis, operational assessment, hands-on implementation, project management, and client relationship development. It includes leading workstreams, overseeing project delivery and budgets, presenting findings to executives, coaching junior professionals, and supporting business development and the continued development of the practice. The position also identifies ways to use technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve analysis, reporting, and business processes.

The position requires a bachelor's degree in a relevant field and at least six years of relevant experience for Manager candidates or eight years for Senior Manager candidates. An MBA or other relevant advanced degree is preferred. Compensation is estimated at $87,000–$195,000, and the role is anticipated to be eligible for an annual bonus plan. Stout describes a comprehensive Total Rewards program, inclusion and belonging initiatives, professional growth resources, flexible work schedules, and discretionary time off.

Requirements

• Strong understanding of corporate finance, financial planning and analysis, operational finance, and business transformation.
• Experience executing finance transformation, performance improvement, or value creation initiatives.
• Knowledge of working capital optimization, including inventory management, cash conversion, and order-to-cash process improvement.
• Experience analyzing SG&A costs, identifying operational efficiencies, and supporting margin enhancement initiatives.
• Ability to assess business operations and financial performance to identify opportunities to improve profitability and cash flow.
• Strong financial modeling, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities, including the ability to translate findings into practical business recommendations.
• Experience implementing finance and operational improvement initiatives with cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated ability to manage project workstreams, coordinate teams, and deliver high-quality client work products.
• Experience communicating financial and operational findings to finance leaders, senior management, and executive stakeholders.
• Strong project management, organizational, and prioritization skills; ability to manage competing priorities and deliver within demanding timelines.
• Client-service mindset and ability to build relationships, understand business needs, and identify opportunities to provide additional support.
• Attention to detail and accountability for project deliverables.
• Familiarity with financial systems, ERP platforms, business intelligence tools, and technologies used in finance transformation.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-oriented consulting environment.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field.
• At least 6 years of relevant experience for Manager-level candidates or 8 years for Senior Manager-level candidates in finance transformation, management consulting, operational improvement, corporate finance, or transaction-related value creation.
• Demonstrated experience managing project workstreams and executing finance or operational improvement initiatives.

Nice To Haves

• MBA or other relevant advanced degree.
• Experience supporting private equity-backed businesses, post-acquisition integration, or value creation programs.
• Experience in a consulting or advisory environment, corporate finance function, private equity portfolio operations team, or similar setting.
• Experience in manufacturing, consumer products, distribution, healthcare, business services, or other operationally complex industries.
• Interest in using AI and automation to improve financial analysis, operational efficiency, and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Manage and execute CFO Advisory engagements focused on finance transformation, performance improvement, and value creation.
• Work with CFOs, finance leaders, operational stakeholders, and cross-functional client teams to implement improvement initiatives.
• Lead working capital improvement workstreams covering inventory optimization, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash conversion, and order-to-cash processes.
• Analyze SG&A cost structures and identify cost-reduction opportunities through process improvements, organizational assessments, and operating-model enhancements.
• Support margin-improvement initiatives through profitability analysis, cost-structure assessments, and operational performance reviews.
• Execute post-close value creation initiatives, including synergy tracking, financial performance improvement, and strategic transformation plans.
• Evaluate finance functions, processes, and operating models to identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness.
• Develop and review financial models, business cases, and performance metrics to support client decisions and measure outcomes.
• Translate financial and operational data into actionable recommendations to improve profitability, cash flow, and business performance.
• Prepare and present findings, recommendations, and project updates to finance leaders and executive stakeholders.
• Manage day-to-day engagement activities, including project planning, deliverables, budgets, timelines, and project-team coordination.
• Supervise, coach, and develop junior professionals in financial analysis, client deliverables, and project execution.
• Support business development through proposal preparation, client presentations, and identification of additional advisory opportunities.
• Identify opportunities to use technology, automation, and AI-enabled tools to improve financial analysis, reporting, and business processes.
• Contribute methodologies, tools, and best practices to support the growth of Stout's CFO Advisory practice.
• Manage assigned workstreams and deliverables while adapting to changing client deadlines and collaborating with engagement leaders and project teams.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation and benefits as part of a comprehensive Total Rewards program.
• Wellness options.
• Ongoing training and mentorship.
• Employee resource groups and performance feedback to support professional growth.
• Flexible work schedules.
• Discretionary time off policy.
• Anticipated eligibility to participate in an annual bonus plan.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager