Group Chief Financial Officer

About the Role

Privatal is a specialized Pan-European headhunting firm focusing on interim and permanent CFO and finance leadership roles, particularly within private equity-backed companies. We are collaborating with a Pan-European private equity investor in search of a Group CFO for a leading digital transformation and IT services platform undergoing its next value creation and exit preparation phase.

Role Overview

The Group CFO will work closely with the CEO and shareholders to lead the asset’s next transformational phase. The position extends beyond traditional finance duties, encompassing enhancement of commercial performance, operational transparency, and guaranteeing the business is strategically positioned for a successful private equity exit.

The finance team has already achieved substantial professional maturity; the incoming CFO is expected to leverage this solid base to enhance business results, refine commercial decisions, and implement best-in-class governance within a complex, project-focused professional services context.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the ongoing transformation aligned with the asset's value creation objectives.
• Manage commercial controlling, project administration, utilization analysis, invoicing, and performance measurement across the organization.
• Advance financial functions including planning, reporting, forecasting, accounting, taxation, treasury, and compliance.
• Implement strong KPI frameworks and management reporting systems to elevate commercial and operational decision-making.
• Maximize project profitability, optimize working capital, and maintain solid cash flow in a multi-faceted services environment.
• Oversee governance, data integrity, compliance, and enterprise control frameworks.
• Collaborate with the CEO and investors on strategic planning, business operations, and organizational development.
• Provide leadership in M&A processes, integration following acquisitions, and strategic transformation projects.
• Build and nurture a high-caliber international finance team.
• Drive exit readiness through high-standard reporting, governance, and investor relations.

Candidate Profile

• Demonstrable experience as Group CFO in private equity-backed entities.
• Proven background in transformation and restructuring within IT services, consulting, professional services, or similar project-driven companies.
• In-depth knowledge of commercial controlling, project accounting, utilization management, and profitability analysis.
• Experience collaborating directly with private equity investors and senior executive teams.
• Familiarity with M&A activities, including post-merger integration and value creation work.
• Strong commercial insight with capability to convert financial data into practical operational actions.
• Hands-on leadership approach along with excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience managing international finance teams across various jurisdictions.
• Fluency in both German and English languages.
• Alignment with an entrepreneurial and high-performance culture typical in private equity settings.

Additional Information

Only candidates who meet the investor’s stringent criteria will be contacted. The search is led by Julian Hove, Partner, CFO Practice at Privatal.