VP, Strategic Finance

About Emergence Automotive

Emergence Automotive operates as the AutoTech sector within Emergence, a thematic holding company supported by The Pritzker Organization. The group acquires and develops leading software companies related to automotive operations, including vehicle acquisition, inventory management, dealer workflows, and essential operational tools. Unlike passive investment firms or traditional private equity funds, Emergence actively collaborates within its portfolio companies, fostering growth through acquisitions and internal development. Currently, the portfolio generates over $35 million in annual recurring revenue and maintains a vibrant, expanding M&A pipeline.

Role Overview

This VP position is part of a compact, high-accountability team reporting to Emergence Automotive's operating partners and Strategic Finance leader. The role focuses on operational finance—partnering closely with CEOs and executive teams of portfolio companies to analyze performance, enhance decision-making, optimize capital allocation, and strengthen software businesses. Frequent involvement with M&A activities supports growth, requiring adeptness in financial modeling, diligence, synergy evaluation, integration strategy, and post-merger value realization.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic finance processes across the automotive portfolio, encompassing forecasting, performance tracking, KPI reporting, operational reviews, and CEO-level advisory support.
• Develop comprehensive operating models that extend beyond budgets, including scenario analyses, retention and cohort assessments, cash and working capital projections, unit economics, return frameworks, and capital deployment strategies.
• Collaborate with leadership teams at portfolio companies to transform data into actionable recommendations addressing focus areas and plan viability.
• Drive and assist with M&A efforts, featuring acquisition modeling, due diligence, synergy evaluation, integration roadmaps, financing structures, and post-close value creation strategies.
• Create high-quality board and investor presentations, enhance finance standards across the portfolio, and elevate analyst output through detailed feedback, clear communication, and rigorous modeling.

Preferred Backgrounds

Ideal candidates may come from strategic finance or FP&A within SaaS or software sectors; corporate development involving hands-on M&A and integration; private equity, venture capital, or investment banking with early deal experience; operational finance roles partnering with executives; or transitions from audit/accounting into strategic or commercial finance. The most important attributes are enthusiasm for both organic and inorganic growth challenges, excellent judgment, pace, and ownership.

Key Attributes and Expectations

• Ability to seamlessly transition between high-level concepts and detailed model analysis.
• Engagement with operational metrics such as retention, sales productivity, cash flow conversion, margin optimization, and strategic initiatives.
• Pragmatic approach focused on ownership and simplifying others' work, maintaining high standards while embracing collaboration and flexibility.
• Confidence in presenting and defending viewpoints, openness to changing perspectives with new data, and aptitude for clarifying ambiguous problems into clear analyses and action steps.

Experience and Skills Needed

• 3 to 10+ years in roles including strategic finance, operating finance, corporate development, investing, investment banking, FP&A, or accounting with a commercial emphasis.
• Strong command of financial modeling, including end-to-end operating models.
• Familiarity with acquisition, merger, and mergerco models preferred, aligning with the role's M&A focus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience leading senior-level discussions and delivering concise, actionable recommendations.
• Capability to introduce structured thinking without unnecessary bureaucracy.