[Hiring] Practice Leader & Client CFO @Propeller Industries

Role Description

Build the Practice. Scale the Teams. Partner with Growth-Stage Operators.

In 2008, Propeller reinvented the way venture-stage companies build finance teams, and in the process we defined the category the market now calls fractional. Three years ago, we quietly began building what comes next, expanding to serve our breakout clients as they scaled past venture and brought leadership in-house. That became our Growth practice: today it serves our largest clients and generates a third of Propeller's revenue. Now, with the practice staged to break out, we're hiring the leader who will professionalize and scale it.

You will own the practice end to end: its commercial engine, its embedded delivery teams, and the strategic relationships that anchor it, bringing the horsepower Growth-stage Consumer companies need as they scale from $30M to $300M and beyond.

Growth-stage companies operate differently than venture-stage startups:

• The financial infrastructure is more complex.
• The operational stakes are higher.
• The boards are more demanding.
• The margin for error is smaller as companies approach exit velocity.
• Turnover in the finance seat stays high, as these companies accelerate faster than even exceptional talent can adapt.

These clients need a CFO partner who has lived the $30M-to-$300M journey; someone who knows where the landmines are, how to build the systems that scale, and who has the career experience and confidence to make the case for uncomfortable truths when a situation requires it.

This is an equity-track leadership role for someone ready to build a practice, not just a portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the Growth practice's expansion: pipeline, bookings, retention, and P&L.
• Think like a business owner; build relationships before you need them, identify opportunities others miss, and close deals that grow the practice.
• Develop go-to-market strategy for Growth-stage Consumer companies and build relationships that generate referrals.
• Build the teams that carry our Growth portfolios: Controllers who each run their own client book.
• Set service standards and hold people accountable for client satisfaction, deliverable quality, and engagement profitability.
• Conduct regular portfolio reviews, build capacity through hiring and development, and step in when engagements need senior attention.
• Serve as CFO-level advisor to Growth-stage Consumer operators, maintaining strategic relationships with complex clients.
• Drive business development through networking, referrals, strategic partnerships, and direct outreach.
• Own financial performance of the Growth practice: revenue, margins, utilization, and profitability.
• Participate in board meetings and investor conversations for strategic clients.
• Make informed decisions about pricing, resource allocation, and engagement scope.
• Continuously improve service delivery quality, efficiency, and client impact across the practice.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated business development success: ability to identify, cultivate, and close client relationships.
• 15+ years in finance/accounting with at least 7 years in CFO or senior financial leadership roles.
• Direct experience scaling companies from $30M to $300M+ in revenue, ideally as CFO or VP Finance.
• Demonstrated AI fluency: experience working with AI in finance workflows.
• Track record leading and developing teams: managing managers, not just individual contributors.
• Multi-client or consulting background strongly preferred (Big 4, boutique advisory, PE portfolio, or similar).
• Strong executive presence; comfortable presenting to boards, private equity sponsors, and sophisticated stakeholders.
• Experience building financial infrastructure that scales: ERP transitions, reporting systems, planning processes.

Industry Expertise

• Understanding of Consumer businesses: economics, channels, metrics, seasonal rhythms, retail relationships, brand dynamics.
• Deep expertise in at least one of: DTC/e-commerce, CPG, or omnichannel retail.
• Experience in core processes and systems, such as inventory, trade spend, Quickbooks, Netsuite, etc.

Benefits

• Base salary range $250,000 - $300,000 + significant variable compensation tied to practice performance and new business.
• Equity participation.
• Investment in your development: AI/automation training, executive coaching, and access to Propeller's network.
• Remote-flexible with travel for client meetings, team leadership, and conferences.
• Generous Paid Time Off and Holiday pay.
• Comprehensive health benefits plus dental, vision, short and long-term disability, and life insurance.
• HSA contribution, Paid Family Leave, 401k match, and Remote Work.