Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer (COO/CFO)

Position Summary

The COO/CFO will be responsible for the overall operational and financial leadership of Blue North. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader who thrives in entrepreneurial environments and understands the nuances of professional services. The ideal candidate will bring strong business discipline, cross-functional collaboration skills, and an ability to streamline operations while enabling growth.
This individual will partner closely with the President, who is primarily client-focused, to ensure that internal operations, delivery, and financial management run with clarity, precision, and consistency.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution

• Lead and continuously improve the operational functions of the agency, from project delivery workflows to internal systems and resource management.
• Introduce scalable operational processes to drive efficiency, accountability, and visibility across the organization.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the health of the business, team productivity, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee internal systems, tools, and infrastructure (e.g., agency management, finance tools, CRM) to ensure they are effective and evolving with the companys needs.
• Drive cross-functional initiatives to improve service delivery, resource planning, and operational cost efficiency.

Financial Strategy & Oversight

• Own the development and implementation of financial strategy in collaboration with the executive team.
• Manage financial planning, forecasting, and analysis to inform strategic decision-making and long-term growth.
• Provide regular, clear, and actionable reporting on financial performance and key metrics to the leadership team and shareholders.
• Oversee budgeting, accounting, cash flow management, and compliance in coordination with external accountants and financial partners.
• Lead financial risk assessment and mitigation activities.
• Drive pricing strategy, profitability analysis, and margin optimization across service lines.

Team Leadership & Culture

• Directly lead the Finance function and Operations function; indirectly support broader operations across HR, and internal systems.
• Foster a culture of high performance, transparency, and shared accountability.
• Support hiring, onboarding, and performance development initiatives to ensure we attract and retain top talent aligned with Blue North values.

Strategic Collaboration

• Serve as a key thought partner to the President and Executive Team, contributing to the overall business strategy and leading the strategy/operational planning efforts.
• Support investment planning for new capabilities, offerings, or operational initiatives.
• Translate strategy into execution with clear prioritization and aligned team action.

Qualifications & Attributes

• 10+ years of experience in senior leadership roles spanning both operations and finance, preferably in a professional services firm or agency environment.
• Demonstrated success leading internal operations, financial planning, and business performance in a small or mid-sized company.
• Strong understanding of project-based business models, resource planning, and client services delivery.
• Adept at building and interpreting dashboards, KPIs, and operational metrics to drive decision-making.
• Strong business and financial acumen; comfortable owning both the P&L and operational delivery.
• Bachelors degree in Business, Finance, Operations, or related field. (CPA or accounting designation not required.)
• Experience with financial and operational tools and systems; ability to lead systems evolution but not tied to any one platform.
• Exceptional communication and leadership skills, with a collaborative, low-ego style.
• Comfortable in a player-coach role, rolling up your sleeves while leading at a strategic level.