Company Overview:
Our client is a marketing solutions agency that optimizes the timeless power of brand and customer engagement. Halyard Capital created Engauge Marketing (“Engauge") in partnership with Stan Rapp, the co-founder and former Chairman of Rapp Collins Worldwide, the world’s leading direct marketing ad agency now owned by Omnicom Group, and the CEO and Chairman of Interpublic Group’s MRM Worldwide. Engauge was formed through the acquisition of Austin Direct Impact LLC, a high-end database marketing agency, and TenUnited, Ltd., a leading brand marketing agency. Utilizing the concept of growth through complementary acquisitions, Engauge acquired Streamright, a digital development company, in December 2007. In March 2008, Engauge acquired Spunlogic, a full-service digital marketing agency offering strategy, interactive design, online marketing and web application development. Ultimately, Engauge brings together best-of-class marketing entrepreneurs in the key disciplines clients need today. With Engauge, clients benefit from each member’s specialized excellence and entrepreneurial spirit while operating within the singular vision of the Engauge business model.

Reporting Relationship: The CFO will report to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Engauge.

Position Summary:
Reporting to the CEO, the CFO will be responsible for the overall direction, development, maintenance and guidance of a strong financial operation to support a dynamic, rapidly growing, integrated marketing and branding solutions company.

The CFO will be a leader who can integrate well with the current management team, provide senior management with the financial analysis, reporting and insights required for the Company to continue its current growth trajectory, and effectively manage the reporting requirements of management, the Board of Directors, the private equity firm, and the Company’s lenders.

This key executive position will be responsible for directing the financial strategy of the Company, managing the cost of resources to minimize risk, increase value for the shareholders and maintain profitable growth. The CFO will direct all financial and accounting policies and procedures, measuring operating performance and initiating improvement programs to identify potential weaknesses in financial and management control systems throughout the company. This position will also oversee the Information Technology and Real Estate matters (i.e., space planning, lease negotiations) on a company-wide basis.

The CFO will direct, plan, control and coordinate all activities of the financial, functions including Corporate/General Accounting, Financial Reporting, Budgeting and Planning, Cash Management Planning and Control, Credit and Collections, Client and Vendor Agreements, Tax Compliance, Risk Management, Employee Relations and Development, and Compensation Planning. Financial personnel reporting through the CFO will include:

• VP, Finance
• Director, Finance
• Controller
• Business Manager
• Accounting Manager
• Staff Accountants
• Financial Analysts

The CFO will establish and maintain relationships with financial institutions and shareholder representatives, and will be instrumental in the process of providing financial information and guidance to the shareholders, executive team and Board of Directors.

Key responsibilities:

Financial Reporting and Management (overseeing a Controller and staff who are charged with the following):

• Preparation of monthly financial statements in accordance with GAAP including any required reporting for Investors, Bankers and others on a timely basis;
• Develop short and long term financial plans and forecasts including the annual operating budget (with particular attention to cash flows);
• Maintain the necessary internal controls and reports such that the Company’s assets are safeguarded, costs controlled, and assets deployed in the most efficient manner, and to ensure accuracy and timeliness of reporting;
• Coordinate audits of the financial statements and records with outside accounting firm;
• Perform financial analysis of various aspects and departments of the Company as needed, with an eye on monitoring productivity and improving profitability.

Treasury and Cash Management:

• Act as primary liaison with banking, lending and private equity community;
• Responsible for developing and instituting long and short term borrowing plans with outside sources, as applicable;
• Institute cash management policies to maximize short term yield;
• Establish formal credit policies and oversee the collection of accounts receivable to ensure minimum aging of accounts.

Client and Vendor Agreements:

• Develop, in conjunction with the Sales/New Business and Client Services Department, client pricing proposals and responses to RFP’s;
• Negotiate and coordinate formal contracts/agreements with each new or renewing client, which maintain and/or achieve the desired level of profitability while effectively managing the Company’s obligations and liabilities;
• Negotiate, in conjunction with department heads, all vendor contracts/agreements with a focus on controlling costs and ensuring vendor accountability.

Tax and Regulatory Compliance:

• Direct tax planning and reporting including the identification of tax savings opportunities (working with outside tax consultants);
• Oversee preparation and filing of all federal, state and local income tax returns for the Company;
• Oversee preparation and filing of state sales and use tax returns.

Facilities Management & Information Technology:

• Develop short and long-term space plan to accommodate significant and rapid growth in personnel;
• Negotiate terms of additional leased space and execution of the lease agreement;
• Coordinate the construction, if applicable, and capital asset purchases relating to additional leased space;
• Oversee and approve expenditures related to company-wide Information Technology assets and operations;
• Plan and coordinate office moves, short and long-term;
• Review and maintain adequate levels of commercial insurance.

Merger & Acquisition Support:

• Work closely with the Chairman, CEO and Halyard Capital in evaluating (due diligence) and negotiating prospective acquisitions;
• Assist in discussions with various financing partners to obtain capital funding for subsequent acquisitions;
• Oversee transition planning and post-merger integration of newly acquired businesses;
• Oversee integration of future acquisitions from a financial.reporting and control standpoint.

Required skills and experience:

• Minimum 15 years progressive business experience with exposure to entrepreneurial companies preferred.
• Significant experience in a rapid growth environment with a balance of strategic vision and hands-on experience.
• Prior experience in an advertising, branding, direct marketing, or other similar marketing services or consultancy is required.
• Prior merger and acquisition experience is essential, including both deal making and integration aspects.
• Solid accounting and GAAP experience to provide expertise and direction; must be able to explain accounting and financial concepts to non-financial mangers in clear concise terms.
• Committed, tough-minded, pragmatic, performance-driven personality.
• Strong strategic, analytical and planning skills.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to motivate and direct people.
• Demonstrated operations involvement relative to such areas as new business and product development, asset management, market analysis, and client/product/service line profitability is highly desirable.

Personal Attributes:

• Possess a proven track record of initiative and follow-through in developing improved financial processes and analysis
• Have a strong sense of urgency and an affinity for detail.
• Have strong analytical and verbal communication skills.
• Be a proven strong leader and team builder able to develop and motivate others.
• Have a strong desire to bring innovative concepts to the organization (entrepreneurial).
• Create well-defined goals for self and others.
• Be able to make fast transitions in order to change or accelerate initiatives.
• Possess an ability to convert problems into definable, workable solutions.

Education:
Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or Business Administration required. A Masters of Finance, Business Administration and/or CPA is highly desirable.

Compensation:
Our client offers a competitive compensation package, including base salary, discretionary bonus, long-term incentives, and an excellent benefits package.

Contact:
Executive Connections, LLC is handling this search on an exclusive basis. For additional information regarding our client and this opportunity, please contact:

Jeff Gundersen
860-435-0555 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              860-435-0555      end_of_the_skype_highlighting (office)
941-323-8300 (mobile)
jgundersen@executiveconnects.com