Our client is a leading higher education management company partnering with hundreds of colleges and universities. Focused on enhancing student enrollment and success—particularly for adult and online learners—the company bridges the gap between institutions and today’s students through comprehensive services, including Marketing Services, Enrollment Management, Market Research, and Inquiry Generation. Naviga has been retained to recruit and identify a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join their team.

Title: Chief Financial Officer
Location: This position is remote; however, the individual should live in South Florida.
Travel: (less than 15%) may be required.

Key Notes/Company Details

• The company is experiencing a strategic transformation, shifting its focus from Inquiry Generation to Enrollment Management and Marketing Services, with double-digit growth in these segments.
• Demonstrates strong EBITDA and revenue, serving over 400 customers with high retention rates, positioning it for continued profitable growth.
• Hosts the annual InsightsEDU Conference, bringing higher education professionals together to explore trends and strategies for engaging non-traditional students.
• Leadership under CEO and  Executive Chairman has driven cultural and operational shifts, including aligning the organization with 2025 goals.
• The company is committed to fostering innovation, reinvigoration, and growth while maintaining a collaborative, high-performance culture.
• Focused on scaling operations through cross-selling, M&A activities, and expanding its core services.

Responsibilities

• Drive financial planning processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning to align with strategic goals.
• Develop and manage KPIs around pipeline, backlog, utilization, efficiency, and bookings, enabling data-driven decision-making.
• Lead cash flow forecasting, treasury management, and lender relationships, ensuring compliance with covenants and optimizing financial structure.
• Evaluate M&A opportunities, leading due diligence and overseeing acquisition integration to align with company growth objectives.
• Build and empower a high-performing finance team, including direct oversight of the Controller, Senior Manager, Staff Accountant, and offshore resources.
• Foster a culture of metrics-driven decision-making and accountability across the organization.
• Prepare and deliver timely, accurate financial reporting packages, including board presentations and private equity communication.
• Develop and manage financial models to assess economic impacts of partnerships and investments.
• Collaborate with the executive team to refine business strategies and ensure alignment with growth targets in services and acquisitions.
• Support innovation and operational excellence by streamlining processes, improving efficiency, and leveraging technology like PowerQuery and PowerBI.

Requirements

• Experience:
  • 10+ years in senior financial leadership, with a proven track record in private equity-backed environments.
  • Expertise in M&A, including valuation, due diligence, and integration.
  • Strong background in high-growth, service-oriented, recurring revenue business models.
  • Hands-on experience implementing and tracking KPIs to effectively forecast and guide financial performance.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead cultural transformations within evolving organizations.
• Skills:
  • Strategic and tactical decision-making capabilities.
  • Advanced proficiency in tools such as Office Suite, PowerQuery, and PowerBI.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Education:
  • Degree in Business Administration or Accounting (CPA preferred).

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) plan with a company match.
• Short-term/long-term disability and life insurance.
• Flexible PTO policy.
• 10 company-paid holidays.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).