Director Business Consulting
Connect Search, LLC · Chicago, IL
Apply & track with Apply EdgeDirector – Business ConsultingIndustry: Middle-Market Business & Financial Consulting
The firm's clients are typically small-cap businesses across industries such as manufacturing, distribution, and business services. Rather than functioning as an outside advisor who simply delivers recommendations, the firm's consultants embed themselves within their clients' management teams, analyze the business, identify the underlying drivers of performance, and help execute solutions that produce measurable financial and operational results.The OpportunityThe Director will work directly with middle-market management teams to analyze financial and operational performance, identify opportunities to improve profitability, and implement solutions alongside the client. This is a hands-on consulting position for someone who combines a strong accounting and financial foundation with strategic thinking, problem-solving, and business acumen. The role offers exposure to multiple companies and industries while allowing consultants to operate much like members of their clients' management teams. Engagements may involve businesses undergoing a turnaround as well as successful companies looking to improve their financial infrastructure, systems, processes, and operating performance before scaling.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial & Operational AnalysisAnalyze financial statements, management reports, operational data, and business performance to identify trends, issues, and opportunities.Evaluate the underlying drivers of revenue, margins, costs, cash flow, and profitability.Develop financial analyses that help management understand where performance can be improved.Identify financial and operational obstacles affecting client profitability.Translate complex financial information into practical recommendations for business leaders.Business Performance ImprovementDevelop and implement strategies designed to improve profitability and operational performance.Evaluate existing financial and operating processes and identify opportunities for improvement.Help growing businesses develop stronger systems and processes capable of supporting continued scale.Support companies experiencing financial or operational challenges and help management develop actionable solutions.Apply insights and best practices gained across different companies and industries to new client situations.Client Leadership & Business PartnershipIntegrate directly with client management teams and operate as a trusted financial and business advisor.Develop a detailed understanding of each client's business model, financial performance, operational challenges, and strategic priorities.Manage client relationships with support from senior firm leadership and accounting resources.Present findings, recommendations, and financial insights clearly to business owners and senior executives.Take ownership of client outcomes rather than operating solely as an outside advisor.Ideal Candidate ProfileCPA and approximately 3–11 years of progressive professional experience.Strong accounting experience and financial acumen.Experience in public accounting, financial consulting, transaction/advisory services, corporate finance, accounting, or similar financially oriented environments.Strong understanding of financial statements and the drivers of business profitability.Strategic thinker and strong problem solver who can move beyond the numbers to understand why a business is performing the way it is.Entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to take ownership of client success.Comfortable interacting directly with business owners, executives, and senior management teams.Ability to work independently while leveraging support from experienced firm leadership.Strong analytical, communication, and relationship-management skills.Comfortable operating in changing environments where each client may present different challenges.Willingness to work onsite with clients throughout Chicagoland as needed.Why This OpportunityOpportunity to learn how to run businesses by working directly alongside middle-market management teams.Become deeply involved in clients' businesses rather than providing recommendations from the sidelines.Work across multiple companies and industries, creating significantly broader exposure than a traditional corporate finance or accounting position.Develop experience solving real-world issues involving profitability, financial performance, operations, systems, processes, and growth.Exposure to both turnaround situations and successful high-growth businesses.Significant autonomy and ability to take on increasing responsibility based on performance.Entrepreneurial environment with a healthy combination of independent ownership and ongoing support from experienced consulting professionals.Strong opportunity for someone coming from public accounting or consulting who wants to transition from reviewing businesses to helping operate and improve them.No overnight travel — clients are located throughout the Chicago area.Flexible combination of remote work and onsite client interaction.Two-step interview process.