Chief Financial Officer - Hospitality & Lifestyle Business - CA/CS

About the Client

Our client is a rapidly scaling, premium hospitality and lifestyle group operating multiple fine-dining and contemporary dining formats across leading Indian metros. With a portfolio of 15+ outlets and expansion underway into Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) formats, the organization is entering its next phase of structured growth and institutionalization.

The business is founder-led, growth-focused and committed to building scalable systems, strong governance frameworks and long-term enterprise value, including readiness for future fundraising and public market opportunities.

Role Overview

The Chief Financial Officer will serve as a strategic partner to the founders and executive leadership team, driving financial strategy, capital efficiency, governance, and operational scalability.

This role requires a commercially astute and hands-on finance leader who can balance strategic vision with operational rigor in a fast-growing, multi-location consumer business.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Strategy & Governance

• Lead end-to-end finance and accounting operations across locations.
• Drive annual budgeting, forecasting and long-term financial planning.
• Strengthen internal controls, compliance frameworks and financial governance.
• Ensure robust direct and indirect tax compliance.
• Oversee audits and statutory reporting.
• Lead ERP modernization and finance automation initiatives.
• Present financial insights and strategic recommendations to promoters and key stakeholders.

Capital Management & Growth Enablement

• Design and execute capital allocation strategies to support expansion.
• Drive working capital optimization and cash flow management.
• Lead investor engagement, fundraising initiatives and IPO readiness efforts.
• Evaluate M&A and strategic partnership opportunities.

Multi-Location Operational Finance

• Ensure financial transparency and profitability tracking across outlets.
• Implement strong financial controls across operations.
• Drive margin improvement and cost optimization initiatives.
• Partner closely with operations and HR to build scalable systems and processes.
• Build and mentor a high-performing finance team aligned with growth objectives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (CS preferred).
• 16+ years of experience, with at least 2 years in a CFO role.
• Strong experience in multi-location businesses (hospitality, QSR, retail or consumer sectors preferred).
• Demonstrated exposure to fundraising, investor relations and IPO preparation.
• Deep expertise in financial controls, compliance and taxation.
• Experience in promoter-driven environments will be an advantage.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence senior stakeholders.