Senior VP of Finance

Overview
The Senior Vice President of Finance at Yamamoto plays a critical role in the financial health and strategy of the organization. This position oversees all financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, compliance, and financial strategy to support the agency's growth and profitability goals. The SVP of Finance provides leadership to the finance team, ensures fiscal responsibility, and works closely with the executive leadership team to align financial objectives with business strategy. This role requires a deep understanding of the advertising and marketing industry, strong leadership, and an ability to navigate complex financial challenges in a fast-paced, creative environment.
This role can be either in our Minneapolis, Chicago or New York offices.
Responsibilities
Financial Strategy & Planning:

• Lead the development of long-term financial strategies aligned with the agency's business goals.
• Provide financial insight and recommendations to support business decisions, growth opportunities, and cost efficiencies.
• Oversee financial forecasting, budgeting, and performance tracking, ensuring accurate and timely financial reports.
• Collaborate with executive leadership on strategic initiatives, mergers and acquisitions, and new business models.

Financial Operations & Reporting:

• Manage the agency's financial operations, including accounting, payroll, billing, and financial reporting.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements.
• Oversee cash flow management, working capital, and debt management to ensure the agency's liquidity and financial health.
• Implement and enforce financial controls, processes, and systems to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal policies.
• Ensure adherence to GAAP and other relevant financial standards and regulations.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Provide guidance and training to department heads on financial best practices and budget management.
• Ensure the finance team collaborates effectively with other departments, particularly client services, operations, and new business development teams.

Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with account management teams to optimize pricing models, contract negotiations, and client profitability.
• Provide financial analysis and risk assessment for client proposals, ensuring they align with the agency's financial goals.
• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks, vendors, and investors.

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, including those related to contracts, credit, and investment.
• Ensure full compliance with tax, legal, and regulatory requirements in all operational jurisdictions.
• Lead internal and external audits, ensuring financial integrity and transparency.

Mergers, Acquisitions & Growth Initiatives:

• Play a key role in evaluating potential acquisitions, mergers, and strategic partnerships.
• Lead financial due diligence efforts for mergers and acquisitions, ensuring seamless integration of financial operations post-transaction.
• Collaborate with other departments to drive financial performance improvement initiatives and operational efficiencies.

Agency Corporate Responsibilities

• Agency Representative in the Community - Represent Yamamoto positively in the business and advertising communities
• Agency Growth - Assist in pursuing new opportunities with assigned clients and new business initiatives
• Agency Commitment - Demonstrate loyalty to the agency
• Agency Culture - Demonstrate agency core values: curious, creative, and courageous
  • Curious: We never stop learning or exploring
  • Creative: We light up the room with engaging imagination
  • Courageous: We are fearless and are up for any challenge

Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA or CPA preferred).

Skills and Experience:

• Minimum of 10-15 years of progressive financial leadership experience, preferably in advertising, marketing, or a related creative industry.
• Proven experience managing financial operations in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Strong understanding of GAAP, financial regulations, and industry-specific financial practices.
• Excellent leadership and team management skills, with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial concepts to non-financial stakeholders.
• Expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, and risk analysis.
• Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite).
• Strategic thinking with a strong business acumen.
• Ability to navigate complex financial challenges in a creative, client-driven environment.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• High level of integrity, accountability, and attention to detail.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

Hybrid Policy
Yamamoto is a highly collaborative workplace. We believe that we can achieve our highest potential and do our best work when we are together in person. We also know that flexibility and a hybrid work arrangement can create advantages for both our Company and our employees.
Yamamoto offers the flexibility of a hybrid working schedule to all our employees. All employees will be expected to follow a 50/50 (20 hours weekly in office) hybrid working policy. Each employee will be responsible to meet the weekly hours in office guidelines. Employees are also welcomed to work in the office as many days as you would like.