Director of Finance in Richmond, Virginia at Gelati Celesti

Gelati Celesti is a local, family-owned ice cream company with eleven retail locations, a production facility, and catering and food truck operations. As a growing multi-unit food retail brand, we depend on a finance function that delivers more than accurate books -- we need a strategic financial partner at the leadership table. The Director, Finance owns the full financial picture of the company: from payroll and accounts payable to multi-year forecasting and company-wide budgeting, this role is the connective tissue between operational performance and business strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage all financial reporting functions, including monthly financial statement preparation, bank reconciliations, and delivery of weekly cash flow and accounts payable reports to ownership and leadership.

• Lead the company-wide annual budgeting process, including department- and location-level budgets across all business segments, in close collaboration with department directors.

• Develop and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts, multi-year financial models, and scenario planning tools to support capital investment and growth decisions.

• Oversee all payroll processing and ensure accurate, on-time payroll delivery each pay period; manage the relationship with the payroll service provider and ensure ongoing compliance.

• Administer and continuously improve accounts payable operations, including the AP platform, vendor ledger, approval workflows, and payment timelines.

• Maintain and evolve internal financial controls, including fraud risk assessments, positive pay procedures, multi-level approval processes, and financial SOP documentation.

• Analyze COGS, labor, and operating expense trends; present findings and recommendations to the President and leadership team with supporting data and clear context.

• Partner with department directors on financial matters relevant to their areas, including labor tracking, margin analysis, and departmental budget performance.

• Coordinate with the company's external tax advisors on annual tax obligations, providing required financial records, documentation, and supporting schedules.

• Manage, develop, and hold accountable the Finance department team; delegate recurring operational functions to build team capacity for strategic work.

• Drive the department's regular check-ins with the President, bringing clear agendas and ensuring leadership has full visibility into financial health and open items.

• Evaluate and recommend accounting and financial technology platforms to improve reporting speed, accuracy, and analytical capability.

• Participate as a full member of the leadership team, contributing to strategic discussions on company growth, capital planning, and cross-departmental initiatives.

Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business Administration, or a related field

• CPA, CMA, or equivalent professional credential preferred

• 5+ years of experience in accounting or financial management, preferably in a multi-unit food service, retail, or manufacturing environment

• 3+ years of experience managing a small team

• Experience leading a full-cycle budgeting process across multiple departments or locations

• Proficiency in payroll administration and payroll vendor management

• Experience with accounts payable automation platforms and internal controls frameworks

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the Microsoft Office Suite

• Familiarity with accounting and financial reporting software; experience with AP automation platforms a plus

• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial leaders

• Experience may include a combination of work experience and education

Hiring range is $100,000-$130,000