Location: On-Site | Philadelphia, PA
Industry: Real Estate Development, Construction & Property Management
Type: Full-Time | Direct Hire | Contingent Search
Seniority: Executive Leadership
Our client is a well-established, family-owned real estate investment, development, and management firm with a 60+ year history of delivering high-value industrial, commercial, and office projects across the Philadelphia region. With a vertically integrated structure-covering design, construction, leasing, and property management-the company owns and operates a diverse portfolio of over 3 million square feet of developed assets.
The organization is deeply rooted in its core values: long-term relationships, integrity, quality of work, and commitment to the communities it serves. As the company looks ahead to its next chapter, it is seeking a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to step into a critical leadership position as a successor to a retiring executive with 36 years of service .
About the RoleThe Chief Financial Officer will be a key member of the executive leadership team and will report directly to ownership. This is a strategic and hands-on role that requires oversight of all financial operations, including corporate finance, accounting, construction finance, treasury, risk management, and long-term planning across multiple entities and verticals within the company.
The CFO will help lead the business through its next phase of growth while ensuring financial integrity, operational efficiency, and alignment with the company's long-term vision. This is an opportunity for a mission-aligned, highly reliable leader who wants to embed themselves within a stable and collaborative organization for the long term.
Key Responsibilities Strategic Financial LeadershipServe as a financial advisor and strategic partner to ownership and executive leadership.
Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting, and scenario modeling to support real estate development, acquisitions, and asset management initiatives.
Provide executive-level insights and recommendations on capital structure, financing strategies, risk mitigation, and profitability improvement.
Oversee all aspects of financial management including accounting, budgeting, audits, reporting, and tax planning across multiple entities.
Maintain and continuously improve internal controls, policies, and procedures to ensure GAAP compliance and risk management.
Manage external relationships with banks, lenders, auditors, legal advisors, and tax consultants.
Monitor and report on construction budgets, draw schedules, and cost-to-complete analyses across active projects.
Coordinate closely with the construction and development teams to align project accounting with capital plans.
Ensure that debt/equity financing for projects is structured and reported accurately and in compliance with lender requirements.
Manage day-to-day and long-term cash flow, investment strategies, and capital reserves across a portfolio of operating companies, development entities, and holding companies .
Oversee multi-entity and intercompany accounting , consolidations, and reconciliations.
Ensure accurate and timely reporting on property-level and enterprise-wide financial performance.
Lead and mentor a finance team including Controllers and Accounting Managers.
Serve as a culture carrier and example of the firm's values of integrity, reliability, and excellence.
Support transition planning and knowledge transfer as part of long-standing leadership succession.
Minimum 12+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience , including at least 7 years in a senior finance leadership role (CFO, VP of Finance, or equivalent).
Background in real estate development, property management, or construction accounting is required.
Deep expertise in GAAP, tax planning , and multi-entity accounting structures.
Proven experience working in privately held or family-owned businesses with a collaborative and stable leadership team.
Exceptional reliability, integrity, and ability to handle confidential and high-level strategic matters with maturity.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a hands-on leadership style.
Proficiency in accounting software (Sage 300 CRE is a plus) and advanced Excel capabilities.
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business; MBA or CPA strongly preferred.
Experience with construction loan compliance , lease accounting , and development proformas .
Prior experience overseeing treasury functions and negotiating with financial institutions.
Salary and benefits will be competitive and commensurate with experience , qualifications, and cultural alignment. The company is committed to investing in a long-term relationship with the right individual and is open to structuring a compensation package that reflects the strategic importance of this hire.
Why This Opportunity?This is more than a CFO job-it's a chance to join a company where people stay for decades because of the shared trust, vision, and values. You'll step into an executive seat held by a trusted professional for 36 years, inherit a stable operation, and have the opportunity to shape the financial foundation of a multi-generational real estate firm.
If you're looking for a long-term home where your contributions will be meaningful, respected, and visible-this is it.