VP, Director of Finance (Chicago or New York)

Position Summary

The Vice President, Director of Finance will oversee all financial activities of a growing auction house, ensuring strong fiscal management across budgeting, financial reporting, forecasting, and treasury operations. Reporting to the COO, this role will work closely with the Executive Chairman, CEO, and COO to align financial strategies with organizational goals and advance key business initiatives. A key focus will be rigorous cash flow management and direct oversight of core operational finance functions, including consignor settlement, accounts receivable, and vendor payables.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Oversight & Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of all financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, and shareholder reports, ensuring accuracy and compliance with accounting standards.
• Lead the company’s audit process, serving as the primary liaison with external auditors to ensure timely and successful completion.
• Maintain banking relationships and manage credit facilities to ensure access to favorable capital sources.
• Own end-to-end cash flow management, ensuring accurate, timely visibility into daily, weekly, and long-term liquidity needs that support auction cycles and business strategy.

Strategic Financial Planning & Analysis

• Lead financial planning and analysis with a focus on real estate assets, providing strategic guidance for property-related acquisitions, sales, and auction operations.
• Develop and oversee short-term and long-term cash flow projections aligned with forecasts and business strategy.
• Lead the company’s budget process, collaborating with stakeholders to ensure budgets support long-term growth objectives.
• Provide financial forecasting and analysis to identify trends, address challenges, and guide executive decision-making.
• Identify and analyze discrepancies between actual performance and forecasts, recommending corrective actions as needed.

Compliance & Regulatory Management

• Ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local tax filing requirements and regulations.
• Review and provide recommendations for health insurance plans, administer cafeteria plans, and oversee compliance testing.
• Act in a fiduciary capacity to direct the funding and ensure compliance of the 401(k) plan, liaising with external brokers as needed.
• Collaborate with Human Resources to ensure pay equity, manage workforce-related expenses, and oversee payroll and related tax compliance.
• Work with auditors to ensure compliance for all employee benefit programs and operational controls.

Operational Excellence, Direct Line Management, & Process Improvement

• Provide direct leadership and oversight to the core finance operations team, including consignor settlement, accounts receivable, and vendor payables, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and adherence to internal controls.
• Establish and enforce best-practice procedures across these functions to support strong cash flow management, financial integrity, and operational efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to improve financial systems, reporting structures, and operational processes for efficiency and accuracy.
• Refine and implement controls across travel and entertainment, property management, and other operational areas.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team to promote professional growth, continuous improvement, and high performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the finance function and overall organizational objectives.

Education & Experience

• Master’s degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or Finance required; CPA designation preferred.
• 8–10 years of experience in fiscal management, including 3–5 years in a leadership role overseeing finance teams and operations.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop high-performing teams while delivering measurable results.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial strategy, operational leadership, cash flow management, and client relationship management.
• Exceptional communication, professional presence, and ability to project authority in finance.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to quickly learn and optimize internal systems.
• Effective negotiation and influencing abilities to drive strategic initiatives and business objectives.
• Ability to travel 15% as needed.

Skills

• Exceptional organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong client service orientation with professionalism and discretion.
• Detail-oriented with excellent follow-up, multitasking, and time management abilities.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word and Excel).
• Able to thrive in fast-paced environments, work under pressure, and meet strict deadlines.
• Highly motivated and eager to contribute to a dynamic team.

Values

• Excellence: Setting the standard in auction and appraisal services through expertise and meticulous attention to detail.
• Integrity: Upholding honesty and transparency in all interactions with clients, partners, and colleagues.
• Judgment: Incorporating experience, empathy, and integrity to always deliver client-centric decisions and actions that uphold our brand.
• Collaboration: Working together with our team and clients to achieve shared goals and exceed expectations.
• Responsiveness: Delivering timely and tailored solutions to meet the unique needs of every client.