Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

About the role

W.S. Darley & Co. is looking for an experienced Chief Financial Officer to guide financial strategy, enforce capital discipline, and provide sharp business insight as the company moves into its next stage of growth. In this position, you will work closely with the President/CEO and Board of Directors to help the organization make timely, well-reasoned decisions about capital use, liquidity, and enterprise risk.

This is a leadership-heavy, judgment-based CFO role. It is intended for someone who is strong in governance, decision framing, and executive leadership rather than day-to-day transaction processing or back-office execution. You will be expected to protect the company’s financial integrity, credibility, and story of performance by giving leaders and directors clear, decision-ready information instead of simple retrospective commentary.

Key responsibilities

You will oversee liquidity and capital allocation across the business, including cash forecasting, credit arrangements, covenant adherence, capital spending, acquisition activity, and supplier prepayments. Decisions should be evaluated through cash flow, return on invested capital, and risk exposure, not only through margin or accounting results. A major part of the role is to anticipate risk and preserve the company’s flexibility, both strategically and financially.

You will also lead the planning and forecasting process, including rolling forecasts and scenario planning, and shape the financial structure and narrative used in Quarterly Business Reviews. Business leaders will be expected to clearly own their commitments, risks, and opportunities, while you provide challenge, insight, and accountability.

Another important part of the role is preparing concise, action-oriented materials for the Board and supporting governance discussions around trade-offs, capital decisions, and long-term value creation. Externally, you will serve as the company’s main executive contact for banks, insurance providers, auditors, tax advisors, and valuation experts, maintaining relationships that protect credibility and flexibility.

As a strategic partner to the business, you will provide independent, fact-based input on pricing, market and geographic exposure, major customer and supplier decisions, and merger and acquisition opportunities, including valuation rationale, deal structure, diligence, and integration risks.

You will be responsible for building and leading a high-performing finance team, setting clear expectations for accuracy, timeliness, and true business partnership. Success in this role requires strengthening FP&A, treasury, and controllership capabilities while coaching and reviewing the work of others rather than personally producing all analyses. You will also partner with IT and operations to improve financial systems, data quality, and analytics so the business can make faster and better decisions. The organization already has a strong Controller and has made meaningful progress on business continuity; the main capability expected from the new CFO is stronger financial reporting.

The role calls for senior finance leadership experience, deep expertise in liquidity and capital allocation, and regular interaction with Boards and executive teams. Strong judgment, communication ability, and the capacity to lead through influence are essential.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting is required.
• A master’s degree in Finance or Accounting is strongly preferred.
• CPA registration or licensure is preferred.
• At least 10 years of senior finance leadership experience, such as CFO, Divisional CFO, or a similar role.
• Government contracting or Defense and Aerospace experience is preferred.
• Strong knowledge of liquidity management, capital allocation, and financial reporting.
• Hands-on experience working with Boards of Directors and senior executives.
• Excellent judgment, communication, and business acumen.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through influence rather than direct authority.

Perks and benefits

• Paid time off
• Paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement
• Health and wellness reimbursement
• Medical coverage
• Dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Life and disability coverage
• HSA with company contribution
• FSA
• 401(k) and Roth plan with company match and profit sharing
• Company-paid life insurance

Equal opportunity statement

Darley is an equal opportunity employer. Recruitment, hiring, training, compensation, and promotion decisions are made without discrimination based on race, religion, color, national origin, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.