Connect Search, LLC

Compensation

Full Description

Finance Operations Manager Private Investment & Technology Platform | Chicago, IL or Austin, TX (Hybrid) • Compensation: 120k-140k base + 15% bonus • Work Model: 3 days per week in-office to Chicago, IL OR Austin, TX (can be both) Company Overview We are partnering with an innovative private investment and technology organization that builds, invests in, and operates businesses across financial services and technology. The company combines an entrepreneurial culture with sophisticated finance operations, leveraging automation, AI, and modern financial systems to drive efficiency across a diverse portfolio of businesses. As the organization continues to scale, it is creating a new Finance Operations Manager position to lead its shared services function while modernizing finance operations through technology and process improvement. The Opportunity This newly created leadership role will oversee the day-to-day operations of the finance shared services function, including Accounts Payable, Travel & Expense (T&E), finance systems administration, and accounting support. Reporting to senior finance leadership, this position combines operational leadership, accounting, systems administration, people management, and finance transformation initiatives. The successful candidate will play a key role in advancing AI-enabled automation, optimizing financial systems, and building scalable processes across multiple business entities. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys improving processes, leveraging technology, and leading high-performing teams within a fast-growing, entrepreneurial environment. Key Responsibilities Finance Operations Leadership • Lead the day-to-day shared services function supporting Accounts Payable, Travel & Expense, accounting support, and finance operations • Supervise and develop a team of finance operations professionals across multiple entities • Establish performance expectations, monitor service levels, and drive continuous improvement • Foster a culture centered on accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence Systems Administration • Serve as the primary administrator for finance platforms, including NetSuite and expense management systems • Maintain system configurations, user access, workflows, and documentation • Partner with IT and third-party vendors on system enhancements, upgrades, and issue resolution • Act as backup administrator for the organization's ERP environment Accounts Payable & Travel Operations • Oversee multi-entity Accounts Payable operations and approval workflows • Manage end-to-end Travel & Expense administration, policy compliance, and employee support • Review spending trends, identify policy exceptions, and recommend improvements • Coordinate with Accounting, Payroll, and HR on expense-related processes Accounting Support • Assist with month-end and year-end close activities • Prepare journal entries, accruals, reconciliations, and supporting schedules • Review general ledger coding and resolve accounting discrepancies • Support internal and external audit requests • Maintain strong internal controls across finance operations Reporting & Business Analytics • Develop operational dashboards and KPIs for finance shared services • Prepare recurring reporting related to AP, T&E, processing metrics, and operational performance • Deliver financial analysis supporting business decisions and executive leadership • Improve reporting automation and data accuracy across finance systems Process Improvement & AI Automation • Identify opportunities to automate manual finance processes • Lead AI and workflow automation initiatives across finance operations • Evaluate emerging finance technologies and implement scalable solutions • Support finance system implementations, testing, documentation, and training • Champion continuous improvement through automation and process optimization Ideal Candidate Profile • Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, Business, or related field • 5+ years of progressive experience in finance operations, accounting, or shared services • Experience supporting month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and accruals • Prior leadership experience managing accounting or finance operations teams • Strong Accounts Payable and Travel & Expense process knowledge • Hands-on NetSuite experience strongly preferred • Experience administering ERP or finance technology platforms • Experience implementing automation or AI-enabled finance solutions • Advanced Microsoft Excel skills • Strong analytical, organizational, and project management abilities • Excellent communication skills with the ability to partner across Finance, IT, HR, and Operations Preferred Backgrounds • Private Equity • Financial Services • FinTech • Technology • Investment Management • Shared Services Organizations • High-growth private companies • Multi-entity organizations Why This Opportunity • Newly created leadership role with significant visibility and ownership • Opportunity to shape and modernize a growing finance operations organization • High exposure to executive leadership and cross-functional initiatives • Blend of accounting, technology, systems administration, automation, and people leadership • Opportunity to lead AI-driven finance transformation initiatives • Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with strong long-term career growth • Flexible hybrid work model with the option to be based in either Chicago or Austin