The Chief Financial Officer provides executive financial leadership for Fehr Graham and serves as a strategic advisor to the President and leadership team. The CFO is accountable for the organization’s financial performance, financial reporting integrity, and financial governance.
The position oversees budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, working capital, financial controls, and finance functions. In partnership with operational leaders, the CFO advances business performance, strengthens project profitability, supports strategic growth, and provides the financial analysis required for informed decision-making.
The successful candidate will demonstrate financial expertise, commercial judgment, and the ability to influence and advise operational leaders. The role requires both strategic leadership and direct involvement in financial and operational matters, with an emphasis on sustainable growth and effective execution.
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Fehr Graham provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Business Partnership:
- Advise the President and leadership team on financial strategy, business performance, and organizational priorities.
- Guide financial and operational decisions that support revenue growth, profitability, and long-term enterprise value.
- Provide financial analysis and recommendations to inform strategic planning and business initiatives.
- Communicate complex financial information clearly to operational and technical leaders, translating analysis into practical recommendations.
- Support annual planning, forecasting, and long-range business planning.
- Develop and monitor financial and operational performance indicators to strengthen accountability and measure progress against business objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency, resource utilization, project performance, and profitability.
Operational Finance and Performance Management:
- Provide visibility into project profitability, utilization, backlog, staffing, labor efficiency, and resource allocation.
- Evaluate pricing strategies, investment decisions, and resource plans through financial analysis.
- Assess business assumptions, identify financial and operational risks, and recommend corrective actions.
- Establish a finance function that provides timely analysis and proactive support to operational leaders.
Growth and Acquisition Integration:
- Partner with Trilon finance and M&A leadership on acquisition integration activities.
- Lead the financial onboarding and integration of acquired businesses, including reporting alignment, process standardization, KPI implementation, and performance monitoring.
- Identify operational risks, integration challenges, and opportunities for improvement throughout the integration process.
- Support the adoption of company financial processes, controls, systems, and reporting standards across acquired organizations.
- Coordinate with Trilon leadership to apply shared systems, resources, and best practices while maintaining business continuity and performance.
Financial Leadership and Stewardship:
- Oversee the financial operations and performance of the business, including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, working capital, capital expenditures, financial reporting, and accounting functions.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and timeliness of financial reporting and analysis.
- Establish and maintain financial controls, policies, procedures, and governance practices.
- Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital in alignment with business requirements.
- Evaluate current and planned business operations to assess financial viability and long-term sustainability.
- Ensure compliance with applicable accounting standards, tax requirements, company policies, and regulatory obligations.
- Partner with the accounting team to maintain balance sheet integrity and high-quality financial reporting.
- Align reporting requirements, financial processes, and practices with Trilon finance leadership.
Leadership and Team Development:
- Lead and develop the finance team, establishing clear expectations for accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Build finance capabilities that support organizational growth, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
- Develop succession plans and provide professional development opportunities for finance team members.
- Establish effective working relationships across functions to support coordinated decision-making and execution.
Partnership Across Trilon:
- Partner with Trilon finance leadership and the financial leaders of other partner firms to advance enterprise objectives.
- Contribute to coordinated financial reporting, audit support, compliance activities, and the sharing of best practices across the Trilon platform.
- Use corporate resources and subject matter expertise as appropriate while retaining accountability for the financial leadership of Fehr Graham.
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or related fields..
- 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience.
- Experience within engineering, consulting, professional services, construction services, or other project-based businesses.
- Demonstrated success partnering with operational leaders to improve business performance and profitability.
- Demonstrated capabilities in financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and business analysis.
- Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting, and financial controls.
- Strong executive communication, leadership, influencing, and relationship management skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience within the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry.
- Experience integrating acquired businesses and supporting organizational growth initiatives.
- CPA, CMA, MBA, or another relevant professional designation.
- Experience working within a multi-entity, private equity-backed, or platform-based organization.
- Experience with Deltek, ADP, and Power BI.
Benefits & Pay Transparency:
You’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow professionally at our progressive firm, which started in 1973. Our people-first organization is focused on giving our employees the opportunity for growth. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer:
- Medical/dental/vision
- Life insurance
- Disability insurance
- 401K Retirement Plan
- Profit-sharing bonus plan
- Paid time off
- An awesome work environment.
Learn more about Fehr Graham’s people, culture and projects on our website.
The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company’s good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.
We may use AI-powered tools to support administrative aspects of recruiting, including sourcing support and note-taking. These tools do not evaluate candidates or influence screening, interview, or hiring decisions. Every candidate is reviewed and assessed by human recruiters and hiring managers.
About Fehr Graham
Fehr Graham is a premier provider of engineering, environmental and funding solutions for commercial, industrial, institutional and government clients with Midwest office locations in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin. For more information, visit fehrgraham.com.
