Principal - CFO Search

Retained Executive Search | New York City (Hybrid) About the Firm

Our client is a globally recognized retained executive search and advisory firm operating at the intersection of strategy, transformation, and investment driven change. Since its founding in the 2000s, the firm has partnered with listed and Fortune 500 companies, private equity and infrastructure investors, portfolio companies, management consulting firms, and complex global organizations undergoing growth, transformation, or transaction events.

The firm delivers executive search alongside consulting and fractional advisory solutions, supporting clients from strategy through execution. With offices across the globe, the business operates with an integrated global model and a strong reputation for sector depth, intellectual rigor, and long term client relationships

As part of continued growth in North America, the firm is seeking a Principal to help lead and expand its CFO and Finance Leadership practice. This role will focus on senior finance appointments including CFOs, Chief Accounting Officers, Controllers, Heads of FP&A, and broader finance leadership roles across private equity backed, publicly listed, and complex multinational environments.

The Principal will operate as a senior individual contributor with responsibility for search execution, client advisory, and progressive origination, working closely with the Partners across New York and the firm’s global platform.

• Lead and execute retained executive search mandates focused on CFO and senior finance leadership roles across private equity, financial services, professional services, and operating businesses
• Advise clients on finance leadership hiring in the context of transformation, M&A, value creation, and organizational change
• Build and deepen long term relationships with PE sponsors, portfolio company executives, boards, and senior stakeholders
• Contribute to business development efforts by expanding existing client relationships and selectively originating new mandates aligned with the firm’s sector focus
• Partner closely with internal consultants, research teams, and international colleagues to deliver a high touch, insight driven search process
• Provide market intelligence to clients around finance leadership trends, compensation, succession planning, and organizational design
• Maintain a consultative, credibility first approach, balancing execution excellence with commercial growth

• 7+ years of experience in retained executive search or a closely related advisory environment
• Demonstrated track record placing CFOs, Controllers, FP&A leaders, or senior finance executives
• Experience working with private equity investors, portfolio companies, or transaction driven environments is strongly preferred
• Comfortable engaging with C suite executives, boards, and investment professionals in complex, high stakes situations
• Strong commercial instincts with the ability to contribute to origination while maintaining execution quality
• Collaborative mindset and interest in operating within a global, integrated firm model

New York City (hybrid, with close collaboration across North America and global offices)