Careers

Chief Financial Officer

Summary

GW&K is seeking a strategic, collaborative, and hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to join our team. The CFO will provide oversight of all finance functions, including the leadership and development of the finance team, and as a key member of the senior management team, will actively participate in the overall management of the business. This role will function as an advisor, collaborator and resource to the Co-CEO's, the management committee, and other senior leaders. The CFO will work closely with GW&K's institutional partner, Affiliated Managers Group (AMG).

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Reporting

• Lead financial planning and forecasting across the organization, providing key insights into financial metrics relating to product lines and business units.
• Develop and implement multi-year forecasts, working closely with senior management to align financial strategies with business goals.
• Create a framework for business analysis, including establishing key financial metrics and delivering updates on financial performance.
• Provide regular financial reports to the Management Committee, Partners and AMG summarizing GW&K's financial health and projections.

Client Billing and Vendor Management  

• Oversee vendor management, including managing contracts, subscriptions, and vendor negotiations and payments to optimize costs.
• Implement enhanced processes for expense management ensuring rigor around budget specifics.
• Lead the critical functions of client billing and fee calculation (including investment management fees, wealth advisory fees, and performance fees), invoicing, and financial reporting systems, with the goal of implementing and enhancing efficient, scalable solutions, and quality control oversight of these processes.

Investment Product Budgeting and Analysis

• Collaborate with product team on budgeting for and analyzing both new and existing investment products, focusing on profitability and capacity impact.
• Provide insights on investment product costs, fee structures, and growth potential during product launches.
  Contribute to strategic discussions around product profitability, market structure, and forecasting for current and future offerings.

Audit & Financial Reporting 

• Oversee external audit processes, including corporate financial audit and fund financial audit processes.
• Liaise between GW&K partners and external accounting firm on matters related to partnership distributions, expense allocations and Form K-1's, and questions related to personal taxation.
• Ensure proper financial controls and compliance with regulatory requirements across the organization.
• Consult with AMG Finance team on matters relating to financial reporting to AMG, and AMG’s Sarbanes-Oxley control processes.

Strategic Financial Projects

• Lead financial analysis and scenario planning for significant business decisions and strategic initiatives.
• Develop frameworks for business analysis, including profitability and cost structures, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Manage ad hoc financial projects including scenario planning and analysis for M&A considerations and new business ventures.
• Act as a liaison with internal business partners and stakeholders, ensuring financial insights are integral to decision-making.

Compensation and Payroll 

• Collaborate with senior leadership and HR on compensation strategies, ensuring competitiveness and alignment with overall financial objectives.
• Oversee payroll processes and commission calculations, tracking and distribution for institutional, advisory, and private wealth client service teams. 

Professional Experience/Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressive experience in finance, preferably including a senior leadership role in the investment management industry.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field required. CPA and/or MBA strongly preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of the investment management industry, including experience with fund structures, fee modeling (investment management fees, wealth advisory fees, and performance fees), and product profitability.
• Proficiency in financial reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. Detail oriented with a focus on accuracy and thoroughness.
• Strong ability to interpret complex financial data and distill it into actionable insights for key stakeholders.
• Ability to think strategically, advising the executive team on profitability, cost management, execution of key business opportunities, and long-term growth.
• Proven finance business partner, with a track record of effectively working with the CEO, management team, and staff across the organization.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and effectively share ideas and information.
• Familiarity with tax and audit processes, and ensuring regulatory compliance across finance functions.
• Experience implementing financial systems and software solutions.

Leadership Characteristics

• Embraces and demonstrates GW&K’s cultural values.
• Highly collaborative and skilled in working with multiple teams and partnering with internal stakeholders to drive business initiatives.
• Comfortable in an entrepreneurial culture and confident in inspiring change while being adaptable and down-to-earth in approach.