About the Client:

Our client is India's foremost institutional sales & marketing solutions firm serving the real estate sector - currently the fastest-growing non-developer organization in the industry. The company partners with leading developers across product conception, brand development, market assessment, distribution scale-up, and CRM, backed by data-driven research and a proven sales track record. This is an asset-light, high-growth services business now preparing for its next phase of institutionalisation and value creation.

The Role:

We are seeking a Chief Financial Officer for a strategic leadership mandate that goes well beyond traditional finance stewardship. Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will be a key architect of the organisation's growth, governance, and journey toward public markets.

Key Responsibilities:

1. IPO Readiness & Governance:

- Lead the financial and governance agenda to prepare the organisation for a future IPO.

- Strengthen financial controls, compliance frameworks, reporting standards, and investor readiness.

- Build a finance function that meets the expectations of institutional investors and public markets.

2. Enterprise Valuation & Profitability:

- Partner with leadership to enhance enterprise value through improved financial performance, governance, and predictability of earnings.

- Drive sustainable EBITDA improvement through sharper financial planning, performance management, and margin optimisation.

- Develop deep visibility into business economics and identify profitability levers across functions.

3. Cash Flow, Working Capital & Collections:

- Strengthen cash flow management and efficient capital deployment.

- Improve working capital cycles through tighter financial discipline and business partnering.

- Lead initiatives to improve collections efficiency across corporate and retail channels, enhancing liquidity and cash conversion.

4. Cost Optimisation & Capital Efficiency:

- Build a culture of financial discipline and cost consciousness across the organisation.

- Drive strategic cost optimisation while protecting investment in growth.

- Improve ROI and capital allocation across business functions.

5. Process Transformation & Technology:

- Modernise finance processes through technology, automation, and data-driven decision-making.

- Enhance management reporting, financial visibility, and operational efficiency.

- Build scalable systems to support rapid growth.

6. Strategic Business Partnership:

- Act as trusted advisor to the CEO and leadership team on key business decisions.

- Provide financial insights on expansion plans, strategic investments, and partnerships.

- Balance growth, profitability, and long-term value creation.

Candidate Profile:

- Chartered Accountant.

- 16+ years of progressive finance leadership experience; current or recent CFO / Deputy CFO / Finance Head of a sizeable business.

- Demonstrated experience with IPO preparation, DRHP processes, or leading finance in a listed environment strongly preferred.

- Background in high-growth services, consumer, real estate, or allied sectors; exposure to founder-led / rapidly scaling organisations is an advantage.

- Strong command of FP&A, controllership, governance, and investor relations.

- Proven ability to drive collections, working capital, and cash flow discipline.

- High integrity and a strong moral compass; comfortable taking ownership of complex, ambiguous problems.

- Adaptive, hands-on leadership style with the ability to work across functions and levels.