Chief Financial Officer (CFO) at Strivo Labs

Job Summary

• The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will lead the financial strategy and governance & operational finance, overseeing multiple entities, currencies, and project-based financial structures.
• The role ensures financial stability, strategic growth, risk management, and operational excellence across domestic and global operations.
• The CFO will drive financial strategy, investor relations, capital planning, procurement governance, event-budget control, reporting, and compliance to support the company’s vision of building a world-class global events brand.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Leadership & Business Finance:

• Partner with the CEO to define and execute the financial strategy, growth roadmap, and long-term business sustainability.
• Lead budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, cash flow management, and resource allocation across multiple projects and business lines.
• Provide financial insights for global expansion, partnerships, JV structuring, and business model development.
• Support pricing strategy, profitability models, revenue forecasting, and client financial negotiations.
• Drive ROI on strategic initiatives, new business projects, and production investments.

Financial Management & Controls:

• Establish and oversee financial frameworks, internal controls, and accounting processes across group entities.
• Lead treasury management, banking relationships, capital planning, and liquidity optimization.
• Manage multi-currency operations, international vendor payments, and forex risk exposure.
• Ensure strong project-cost tracking for events, production budgets, vendor settlements, and client invoicing.

Project-Based Financial Oversight (Events & Production):

• Develop and enforce end-to-end Event Financial Management SOPs, including:
  • Event costing & pricing models
  • Vendor procurement & negotiation control
  • Budget approvals & financial approval matrix
  • Expense governance & variance reporting
  • Post-event financial audits & profitability analysis
• Guidance to operations and production teams for budget adherence at the project/event level

Risk Management & Compliance:

• Build a robust enterprise risk management framework covering financial, procurement, legal, and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with tax, statutory laws, NECA, CAC, PENCOM, NSITF, FIRS, State revenue agencies, data privacy & banking regulations.
• Develop and monitor audit programs and internal control systems.
• Lead insurance programs for company assets, event risks, employee cover, and liability exposures.
• Ensure compliance in international operations and cross-border transactions.

Procurement & Vendor Governance:

• Oversee procurement governance for production vendors, contractors, logistics partners, and third-party suppliers.
• Enforce vendor due diligence, payment processes, cost efficiency, and contract risk controls.
• Negotiate major vendor and service agreements in collaboration with Operations/Production.

Corporate Finance & Capital Structure:

• Lead capital raising initiatives (debt and equity), including investor engagements and due diligence.
• Evaluate M&A opportunities, partnerships, expansions, and franchising models.
• Prepare investment documentation, pitch decks, valuations, and business plans.

Technology, Automation & Reporting Systems:

• Implement digital and automated systems for:
  • Financial ERP systems
  • Event project management and budgeting tools
  • Expense management and digital approvals
  • Procurement automation and vendor systems
• Ensure strong reporting dashboards and real-time financial visibility.

Reporting & Governance:

• Provide monthly/quarterly/annual financial reports to executive leadership and the Board.
• Lead statutory audits, management audits, and operational financial reviews.
• Establish and report KPIs: margins, cash flow, project profitability, operational efficiency, cost ratios, debt ratios, burn rate, and growth metrics.

Leadership & People Development:

• Build and lead a high-performing finance team.
• Establish SOPs, training, and performance culture.
• Mentor operations, project teams, and procurement personnel on financial discipline and controls.

Cash Flow, Liquidity & Liability Management:

• Monitor financial exposure, covenant compliance, and maturity timelines to prevent liquidity risks.
• Structure repayment plans, negotiate favorable credit terms, and maintain optimal debt-to-equity ratios
• Oversee daily cash flow planning, forecasting, and liquidity optimization to ensure operational stability
• Proactively manage company liabilities, including debt schedules, loan obligations, vendor payment terms, and contingent liabilities
• Ensure availability of funds for ongoing event operations, vendor payments, and capital expenditure programs

Strategic Financial Planning:

• Develop multi-year financial plans aligned with corporate strategy
• Conduct scenario planning, stress testing, and ROI evaluation for new business lines and expansion
• Integrate financial planning with operational, production, and project-level forecasting
• Provide insights to guide investment decisions and capital allocation

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, or related field.
• Master’s degree (MBA/MSc Finance) preferred.
• Professional certification: ICAN/ACCA/CIMA/CFA (required).
• Minimum 10–15 years of finance leadership experience, including 5+ years at a senior or executive level.
• Prior experience in events, media, experiential marketing, entertainment, hospitality, creative industry, or project-based business is highly preferred.
• Proven experience managing multi-currency operations and international vendors.
• Experience in capital raising, investor relations, and financial governance.

Skills & Competencies:
Technical:

• Strategic financial planning and business modeling
• ERP & finance automation systems
• Advanced Excel, BI dashboards & analytics
• Corporate finance, treasury & cash flow
• Procurement governance & contract negotiation
• International tax and regulatory compliance

Behavioral:

• Strong leadership presence & board-level communication
• High integrity, objectivity, and ethical discipline
• Speed, precision, and execution excellence
• Hands-on and strategic at the same time
• Exceptional stakeholder & vendor management
• Crisis management and problem-solving ability

Personal Attributes:

• Discreet, trustworthy, and confidential
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-paced event environments
• Entrepreneurial mindset, commercially sharp
• Strong negotiation, persuasion & diplomacy skills
• High emotional intelligence and people influence.