Chief Financial Officer

Velaris Executive Search is conducting a confidential search for a Chief Financial Officer on behalf of a private equity-backed company. The role is based in Warsaw, Poland.

Working closely with the CEO, the leadership team and shareholders, the CFO will combine commercial and strategic input with hands-on leadership of the finance function. The role requires someone comfortable moving between business decisions and the detail of financial reporting, consolidation, controlling and cash flow management, while developing the team and supporting international growth.

This is an opportunity for an experienced finance leader with a proven track record in a private equity-backed business to influence key decisions and strengthen the financial capabilities that support its further development.

• Act as a strategic partner to the CEO and shareholders, providing financial analysis, recommendations and constructive challenge to support business decisions and long-term value creation
• Lead financial planning, controlling and performance management, translating budgets, forecasts and consistent KPIs into clear insight and accountability across business units and countries
• Oversee group consolidation and financial reporting, ensuring accurate, timely and consistent information across entities and markets, supported by effective accounting processes, systems and controls
• Drive profitability and cash flow improvement, working with business leaders on margin drivers, working capital, capital expenditure and commercial opportunities
• Lead and develop the finance team, building trust, encouraging collaboration and giving people the support and responsibility to deliver solutions
• Communicate effectively with shareholders and investors, translating financial and operational performance into a clear, credible view of the business, its strengths and future potential
• Support international growth, ensuring that financial processes, reporting and controls support the business across existing markets and entry into new ones
• Lead the financial workstream of M&A activities, including financial assessment, due diligence and coordination with external advisers
• Support post-acquisition integration, aligning financial reporting, policies and processes while working closely with local management teams

• A proven track record as a CFO or Finance Director, or in a senior finance role with broad responsibility within an operating business
• Experience working with private equity investors, with a clear understanding of their expectations around performance, governance and value creation
• International finance leadership experience, including responsibility across multiple countries, group reporting and consolidation
• Direct involvement in acquisitions, financial due diligence and integration, with clear personal responsibility for relevant workstreams and outcomes
• Strong technical and operational finance capabilities, spanning reporting, controlling, planning, cash flow and financial controls, with a willingness to work directly with the detail
• Evidence of improving business performance, through commercial insight, margin management, working capital optimisation or more effective financial processes
• A collaborative leadership style and strong communication skills, with the ability to develop teams and build effective relationships with shareholders, business leaders and external advisers
• Fluency in Polish and English

Candidates from different sectors will be considered. We will focus on the relevance of their experience, the complexity of the businesses they have supported and their personal contribution to results.