Vice President of Finance

COMPANY OVERVIEW

Our client is a U.S.-flagged maritime transportation and logistics provider specializing in commercial and government cargo services. As a Section 2 U.S.-Citizen owned company, they operate U.S. Flag & Jones Act vessels worldwide, providing liner, chartering, and parcel shipping services across Northern Europe, the Americas, West Africa, and the Caribbean.

With a commitment to operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and financial discipline, our client ensures secure and efficient transportation solutions for defense, energy, and commercial customers. They operate in some of the most remote and austere environments globally, offering door-to-door logistics solutions tailored to our customers’ needs.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Vice President of Finance will be a key strategic partner to the executive team, responsible for leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and strategic analysis to drive informed decision-making and optimize business performance. This role will provide financial insights that support operational and strategic initiatives across the company's global maritime operations. The Vice President of Finance will play a critical role in capital planning, investment analysis, and financial risk management, ensuring the company’s financial stability and growth in a complex and highly regulated industry.

This role requires a strong background in financial management, with the ability to navigate international financial considerations, regulatory compliance, and risk mitigation strategies. The ideal candidate will be a proactive and strategic leader, capable of collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance financial performance and drive business objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL PLANNING AND ANALYSIS

• Lead the FP&A function, driving the budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting processes.
• Assist in the development of annual fiscal plans/budgets, including projection of all revenues and expenditures, particularly in relation to fleet operations, vessel maintenance, and fuel costs.
• Lead the development of short-, medium-, and long-term financial plans that align with the organization’s strategic objectives, ensuring financial sustainability and growth.
• Administer accounting controls to ensure budgeted expenditures and investments do not exceed authorized amounts.
• Analyze the company’s financial position and issue financial and operational reports.
• Direct and coordinate the development and monitoring of capital and operational budgets, including dry-docking schedules and fleet expansion planning.
• Collaborate with the CEO and Corporate Controller to assist department managers in budget development and tracking.
• Work with operational leaders to evaluate financial viability of fleet expansion, vessel acquisitions, and chartering strategies.
• Provide financial leadership in M&A activities, including valuation analysis and integration planning for potential acquisitions or divestitures.
• Lead financial modelling and scenario analysis to evaluate the potential impact of strategic projects, investments, and business opportunities across short, medium, and long-term timeframes.

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS AND REPORTING

• Manage and optimize external and internal financial reporting, ensuring timely, accurate, and meaningful information and analysis is provided to management and private equity investors.
• Manage weekly cash flow forecasting, with a focus on liquidity planning.
• Assist the Corporate Controller in ensuring the timely and accurate completion of annual audits, including preparation and storage of financial data.
• Prepare and present monthly financial reports, including budget vs. actual income statements, balance sheets, cash flow analyses, and cost reports, keeping the CEO informed of significant financial trends.
• Support the CEO and Corporate Controller in managing fiscal operations and accounting systems, ensuring effective internal controls and accurate transaction recording.
• Monitor expenses and capital investments against approved budgets/AFEs, ensuring alignment with operational and strategic priorities.
• Enhance financial processes and reporting tools to improve efficiency and accuracy across global operations.

LEADERSHIP AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT

• Lead and develop a stage appropriate, high performing finance and accounting team that operates in a collaborative fashion across the organization.
• Coach, mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
• Set clear objectives for team members and drive ownership and accountability across the team

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA or CFA preferred.
• 10 years of progressive financial leadership experience, with at least 5 years in FP&A at a senior level within a capital-intensive industry sector.
• Investment banking and/or private equity experience is strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of the U.S. Flag regulations and their financial implications, including compliance, cost structures, and subsidy programs is preferred.
• Strong financial modelling and data analysis skills, with expertise in fleet financial management and capital planning.
• Deep understanding of corporate finance, accounting principles, and financial reporting.
• Proven ability to work cross-functionally and influence key stakeholders, including vessel operations, regulatory compliance, and supply chain teams.
• Experience with financial planning systems (e.g., Adaptive Insights, Anaplan, Hyperion) is a plus.
• Microsoft Power BI knowledge and experience.
• Ideally, will have exposure to Veson Nautical software.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND ATTRIBUTES

• Highly disciplined, self-motivated, and intellectually curious, with a strong drive for results.
• Fosters a culture of accountability and collaboration, delivering results through people.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to engage effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities, with the ability to interpret complex financial data and drive strategic decision-making.
• High emotional intelligence, business acumen, and professional gravitas, with the ability to inspire trust and confidence.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a keen ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable initiatives.
• Deep financial acumen, risk management expertise, and sound decision-making abilities.
• Demonstrated integrity, authenticity, and impeccable business ethics.