Vice President, Finance and Accounting

The Newcastle Search Group is proud to be partnered with the iconic Gibsons Restaurant Group to assist with the hiring of a Vice President, Finance and Accounting position via a retained search.

Founded in 1989 with the iconic Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse on Rush Street, Gibsons Restaurant Group has been dedicated to providing unmatched hospitality, quality, and value to its customers. Gibsons Restaurant Group owns and operates these distinguished concepts : Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Fish House, LUXBAR, Quartino Ristorante & Wine Bar, Gibsons Italia, The BOATHOUSE Orlando, Hugo’s Frog Bar & Chop House (on behalf of Rivers Casino), Bazaar Meat Chicago, Bar Mar, Café By The River and Chi Sox Bar & Grill (on behalf of the Chicago White Sox).

The Vice President, Finance and Accounting serves as the senior most accounting and financial individual in the organization and playing a critical role on the executive team.

The Vice President, Finance and Accounting will lead the organization through a critical period of transformation, particularly in the areas of systems, processes and people.

While the hiring company will provide relocation assistance to qualified candidates outside of the Chicago market, this is a fully in office role five days a week.

Position Summary

The VP of Finance and Accounting is responsible for leading the accounting and finance department of the Gibsons Restaurant Group (the “Company”). This person will define, schedule, oversee and personally lead continuous people, process and technology evolution, and will create, maintain, and foster a first-class accounting and finance department that provides timely, accurate and relevant financial information to internal and external stakeholders. As a leader in the organization, the VP of Finance and Accounting must embody and model the Gibsons Restaurant Group core values of Hospitality, Quality, Value and Family.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all facets of the Company’s financial administration and planning, including, but not limited to :
• financial policy development and implementation
• implementation, management and maintenance of accounting systems
• budget planning and implementation
• risk management and insurance
• short- and long-term forecasting.
• Participate as a member of the Executive Committee, and act as the Company’s primary financial voice as it develops short- and long-term strategic plans, including providing key contributions in the development of strategies for raising capital, improving profitability, and expanding the Company’s operational footprint either through acquisition or organic growth.
• Primary responsibility and oversight of Gibsons’ planned ERP software selection, implementation, and transition to post-implementation “steady state”.
• Oversee and manage relationships with lending institutions, shareholders, and the financial community. Optimize the handling of bank and deposit relationships and initiate appropriate strategies to optimize the Company’s cash position. Develop cash flow strategy.
• Manage internal and external relationships associated with financial reporting and control, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, income tax, and assurance.
• Develop, implement and enforce finance and accounting policies and procedures that will enhance risk management and improve the operational effectiveness of the Company. The consistent application of these standardized accounting and finance processes by restaurants and corporate employees will culturally create the “Gibsons’ Way”.
• Oversee the Corporate Controller and FP&A functions and provide those teams with leadership, performance management, and strategic direction as it relates to improving people, process and technology.
• Foster, monitor and maintain an accounting and finance department culture of service-first.
• Oversee the timely and accurate issuance of monthly financial reporting, including budget to actuals and other financial reports that provide executive management with transparent and accurate financial information they can use to evaluate operational performance and make sound financial decisions.
• Lead the automation of the reporting of financial and operational metrics to review and monitor the Company's financial position and create and distribute necessary reports on the organization's financial stability, liquidity, and growth.
• Develop and maintain a restaurant and companywide scorecard system. Continually evaluate and refine relevant metrics for inclusion.
• Foster collaboration and cooperation amongst the accounting and finance department and other organizational departments by establishing financial literacy and analysis training opportunities for operational staff with substantial financial responsibilities.

Ambassador of GRG Culture

Seek out opportunities to communicate and demonstrate the Gibsons Restaurant Group core values to team members, customers, vendors and community in a clear and positive manner. Lead by example. Demonstrate ownership, accountability and initiative in daily tasks by anticipating needs and proactively addressing issues. Demonstrate the flexibility to adjust to changing circumstances by finding ways to accommodate team and customer by “making it happen” without sacrificing quality. Create and contribute to a positive work environment by demonstrating no tolerance for negative behavior. Welcome new ideas and seek feedback from the team by asking questions.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Competencies

Education and Experience Requirements