Director -Strategic Finance
About Palm Tree
Palm Tree is a modern M&A value creation firm that integrates financial consulting, operational consulting, and investment banking services. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree partners with private equity firms, business operators, and management teams through strategic events including acquisitions, carve-outs, recapitalizations, restructurings, integrations, and performance improvement initiatives.
The Strategic Finance Consulting team works alongside sponsors and executive leadership to strengthen financial visibility, improve forecasting rigor, and drive enterprise value creation within middle-market portfolio companies.
The Director Position
The Director is a senior leadership role within Palm Tree’s Strategic Finance Consulting practice. Directors are responsible for guiding client engagements, overseeing financial strategy initiatives, and maintaining direct communication with private equity sponsors and executive leadership teams.
This role requires deep financial expertise, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to translate complex financial data into actionable strategic recommendations. Directors serve as both technical leaders and client relationship stewards, ensuring engagements deliver measurable value creation outcomes.
Unlike Accounting Advisory, which centers on historical reporting and technical accounting matters, Strategic Finance Consulting focuses on forward-looking financial planning, liquidity management, performance optimization, and operational transformation within sponsor-backed environments.
Directors are expected to operate as trusted advisors to CFOs and sponsors while simultaneously leading internal teams and contributing to firm growth.
Core Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership
- Guide project teams and oversee engagement execution across multiple concurrent clients
- Maintain consistent communication with private equity sponsors and executive stakeholders
- Ensure deliverables are commercially sound, actionable, and aligned with value creation objectives
- Serve as a senior escalation point for complex financial or operational issues
Financial Expertise
- Lead the design and execution of integrated 3-statement financial models
- Oversee development of 13-week cash flow models and rolling 12-week liquidity forecasts
- Direct AOP, budgeting, and forecasting processes within portfolio companies
- Guide scenario planning, covenant modeling, and capital structure analysis
- Perform and supervise advanced quantitative and performance analyses
Client Engagement
- Facilitate executive-level working sessions and board presentations
- Present financial insights and performance updates to sponsors and management teams
- Provide actionable recommendations tied to EBITDA growth, cash flow optimization, and valuation impact
- Develop long-term client relationships and serve as a trusted strategic advisor
Change Management & Operational Improvement
- Advise on restructuring team processes, FP&A infrastructure, and reporting cadence
- Support organizational design improvements and finance function build-outs
- Drive 100-day plans and ongoing performance tracking initiatives
- Identify operational inefficiencies and margin improvement opportunities
Team Development
- Mentor and develop Associates, Senior Associates, and Vice Presidents
- Provide structured feedback and performance coaching
- Foster a culture of accountability, rigor, and intellectual curiosity
Business Development
- Identify and pursue new business opportunities within existing and prospective clients
- Support proposal development and pitch efforts
- Contribute to expanding Palm Tree’s Strategic Finance platform
Thought Leadership
- Publish insights on strategic finance, liquidity management, and value creation
- Represent Palm Tree at industry events and conferences
- Contribute to firm-level intellectual capital and market positioning
Qualifications
- 10+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, investment banking, restructuring, or private equity
- Proven track record in client services or private equity-backed portfolio company environments
- Demonstrated leadership experience managing teams and client relationships
- Advanced financial modeling expertise, including liquidity forecasting and scenario analysis
- Experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and AOP processes in complex environments
- Strong executive communication and presentation skills
- Ability to operate in fast-paced, sponsor-driven environments
CPA, CFA, or MBA credentials are viewed favorably but not required.
Compensation And Benefits
- Base salary range of $200,000–$225,000, plus performance-based incentive bonus.
- Medical, dental, and vision premium coverage.
- Competitive 401(k) program.
- Unlimited paid time off (PTO).
- Robust maternity and paternity leave program.
- Travel: 25%–50% travel may be required depending on client engagements.
