Chief Financial Officer

AKIRA Chief Financial Officer

In 2002, AKIRA opened the doors to its first women's clothing boutique in Chicago. Since then, the company has extended its reach to 30+ stores across the United States, as well as a thriving eCommerce business (shopAKIRA.com.) AKIRA is extremely well-poised for sustained growth as we continue to build a nationally recognized brand.

AKIRA's culture has one very large, distinct difference from other fast-fashion competitors: Other-Worldly Customer Service and Fanatical, Obsessive Attention to the consumer's needs and desires. The core principle for all employees at AKIRA is to Act and Think Like an Owner, and this belief can be reflected across all areas of the company.

The Position

Chief Financial Officer

Location

Chicago, IL (On-site)

Position Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Chief Financial Officer to join our executive leadership team. This role demands a strategic financial leader who can drive profitability, support aggressive growth initiatives, and build scalable financial infrastructure. The successful candidate will split time between strategic planning and hands-on financial management while working closely with our Chief Operating Officer and executive team.

Core Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Team Development

• Design and implement a world-class finance organization with robust systems, processes, and talent
• Establish comprehensive financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Lead and mentor a lean but effective finance team while planning for scalable growth
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and maintain clean audit results

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Oversee all accounting functions including accounts payable/receivable, payroll, general ledger operations, and financial statement preparation
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes with realistic, achievable targets
• Deliver timely, accurate financial reporting to executives, board members, and external stakeholders
• Coordinate tax compliance activities with external advisors
• Manage sales tax, use tax, and property tax obligations

Stakeholder Relations & Capital Management

• Serve as primary financial liaison with investors, banking partners, lenders, and board of directors
• Present operating performance, capital structure updates, and growth financing requirements
• Monitor cash flow optimization and ensure adequate liquidity for operations and strategic investments
• Support debt covenant compliance and lending relationship management
• Lead financial due diligence for potential acquisitions or financing activities

Strategic Analysis & Business Intelligence

• Provide data-driven insights on pricing strategies, promotional activities, and margin optimization
• Evaluate financial viability of new store locations, renovations, and potential closures
• Collaborate with operations on supply chain efficiency and inventory optimization initiatives
• Analyze vendor agreements and procurement strategies for improved financial outcomes
• Develop comprehensive KPI dashboards covering sales performance, inventory turnover, margins, and store-level profitability

Technology & Process Innovation

• Implement and maintain enterprise accounting systems with regular updates and enhancements
• Drive automation of financial reporting and operational data analysis
• Establish business intelligence capabilities for enhanced decision-making
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives across all financial processes
• Create standardized reporting formats accessible to various stakeholder groups

Strategic Partnership

• Partner with executive leadership on transformational growth strategies
• Identify key business drivers and economic levers for operational focus
• Support business development initiatives with financial modeling and analysis
• Maintain focus on equity value creation while upholding ethical business practices

Required Qualifications

Experience & Background

• 10+ years of senior-level finance experience with demonstrated leadership success
• Proven experience managing financial operations in multi-location retail environments
• Previous exposure to private equity-backed businesses with understanding of reporting requirements and performance expectations
• Track record of building and scaling financial operations during periods of significant growth
• Experience implementing operational discipline and economies of scale

Education & Certifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field from accredited institution
• MBA, Master's in Accounting, or CPA certification strongly preferred
• Public accounting background preferred

Technical Expertise

• Deep knowledge of retail financial metrics, inventory management, and supply chain finance
• Experience with ERP implementations and reporting efficiency improvements
• Understanding of debt capital markets and leveraged business dynamics
• Proficiency in financial modeling, budgeting, and forecasting methodologies

Leadership & Personal Qualities

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills with ability to influence across all organizational levels
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to translate complex financial concepts for diverse audiences
• High-energy, results-oriented approach with willingness to engage in detailed work
• Entrepreneurial mindset comfortable with ambiguity and calculated risk-taking
• History of creating value and serving as transparent business partner
• Experience building metrics-driven organizations with structured management cadence

Diversity & Inclusion:

At AKIRA we believe that treating everyone in a first-class manner is essential to fostering an inclusive environment that reflects our values and our community. This is deeply rooted in our company's principles, culture, and fashion. We continuously strive to cultivate a company where employees feel a sense of belonging and contribute to a culture that values differences, ideas, and experiences. Our unique workforce is directly linked to our success and makes us stronger collectively.

Benefits and Perks:

AKIRA offers competitive benefits for full time employees, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Pet, Life, LTD, FSA/HSA/Dependent Care FSA, Flex Transit (CTA), 401(k), and employee discount. We are committed to encouraging internal development and providing significant career enrichment opportunities. Most importantly, what has propelled AKIRA's growth and success over the years has been the dynamic culture within the company - if you're filled with passion, have a strong desire to get things done, and if you want to go to a place where you know your work matters and where you can implement your ideas and decisions, then AKIRA just might be the place for you.

At AKIRA, we are committed to fair and transparent compensation practices. The starting pay for this position is $300,000 annually, and may be adjusted based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors. Additional compensation and benefits may also apply and will be discussed during the hiring process.