Strategic Finance Manager Jobs in Illinois
Strategic Finance Manager jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, concentrated in corporate headquarters, financial services, private equity, and healthcare systems, with openings at every level from analyst-track managers through VP-adjacent senior roles. Chicago anchors the market, with secondary hiring in Downers Grove and Schaumburg, where companies like Discover Financial Services, Kraft Heinz, and Allstate maintain large finance organizations. The most sought-after specialties in Illinois are FP&A-driven strategic planning, M&A financial modeling, and long-range business unit forecasting. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 8+ Strategic Finance Manager jobs
Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A), PE Portfolio Company
Remote -
**Candidates must be located in Central, Eastern, or Mountain Time Zones**
I'm working with one of my favorite clients,
a private equity owned business services company, to hire a Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A). This person will lead the finance function's move into AI and data-driven decision-making.
The Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A) will serve as a key strategic partner and
right hand to the CFO, driving financial planning, reporting and analysis to support the company's growth and value creation objectives.
The Senior Director will influence cross-functional leaders and play a pivotal role in building scalable capabilities at the
intersection of AI and Finance.
This role is highly visible across the organization and with private equity stakeholders.
The PE firm:
I work with this PE firm across several portfolio companies, and have gotten to know them personally over the years:
- I can personally tell you that they are the brightest, most humble and best leaders around. Somehow, they defy all the negative PE stereotypes but exhibit all the positive ones. They are great strategic partners to their operators, they are hardworking, they roll up their sleeves and they take care of their people.
- If you are successful at one portfolio company, the entire network of other PortCos is there for your next promotion.
- This VP, Strategic Finance role is a fast track feeder role for CFO roles across the portfolio.
The company:
- About $300M in revenue, with operations across multiple states.
- Has grown organically and through acquisitions and is now focused on integration and more organic growth.
- A lean, hands-on finance team with a CFO who has 20 years of PE experience.
- Leadership is fully committed to building AI into how the business runs.
What you'll do:
- Hire and build your own FP&A team.
- Lead the annual operating plan, forecasts, monthly reporting packages and weekly cash flow.
- Prepare reporting for the Board, the PE sponsor and lenders, and turn the numbers into a clear story.
- Pull together financial and operational data from across the business to find what actually drives margin and growth.
- Lead the adoption of AI tools like Claude across financial analysis and reporting, moving the team beyond spreadsheet-driven processes.
- Partner closely with business operating leaders
What we're looking for:
- 6 to 10 years of experience in FP&A, strategic finance or data-driven finance roles - can also come from Investment Banking or Private Equity deal team or Portfolio Operations.
- PE portfolio company experience is preferred
- Real hands-on AI experience (Claude or similar) over the last 6 to 12 months, and excitement about what it can do for finance.
- A passion for data, with experience tying operational metrics to financial results.
- High EQ and the ability to build credibility with operators at every level.
- Hands-on and comfortable in a lean environment.
- Industry is flexible but business services, industrials, transportation, industrials, or similar preferred.
- Ambition to become a PE portfolio company CFO.
Location:
- Remote (Central, Eastern, or Mountain time zone) with travel to the Midwest headquarters about once a month.
Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A), PE Portfolio Company
Remote -
**Candidates must be located in Central, Eastern, or Mountain Time Zones**
I'm working with one of my favorite clients,
a private equity owned business services company, to hire a Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A). This person will lead the finance function's move into AI and data-driven decision-making.
The Senior Director, Strategic Finance (FP&A) will serve as a key strategic partner and
right hand to the CFO, driving financial planning, reporting and analysis to support the company's growth and value creation objectives.
The Senior Director will influence cross-functional leaders and play a pivotal role in building scalable capabilities at the
intersection of AI and Finance.
This role is highly visible across the organization and with private equity stakeholders.
The PE firm:
I work with this PE firm across several portfolio companies, and have gotten to know them personally over the years:
- I can personally tell you that they are the brightest, most humble and best leaders around. Somehow, they defy all the negative PE stereotypes but exhibit all the positive ones. They are great strategic partners to their operators, they are hardworking, they roll up their sleeves and they take care of their people.
- If you are successful at one portfolio company, the entire network of other PortCos is there for your next promotion.
- This VP, Strategic Finance role is a fast track feeder role for CFO roles across the portfolio.
The company:
- About $300M in revenue, with operations across multiple states.
- Has grown organically and through acquisitions and is now focused on integration and more organic growth.
- A lean, hands-on finance team with a CFO who has 20 years of PE experience.
- Leadership is fully committed to building AI into how the business runs.
What you'll do:
- Hire and build your own FP&A team.
- Lead the annual operating plan, forecasts, monthly reporting packages and weekly cash flow.
- Prepare reporting for the Board, the PE sponsor and lenders, and turn the numbers into a clear story.
- Pull together financial and operational data from across the business to find what actually drives margin and growth.
- Lead the adoption of AI tools like Claude across financial analysis and reporting, moving the team beyond spreadsheet-driven processes.
- Partner closely with business operating leaders
What we're looking for:
- 6 to 10 years of experience in FP&A, strategic finance or data-driven finance roles - can also come from Investment Banking or Private Equity deal team or Portfolio Operations.
- PE portfolio company experience is preferred
- Real hands-on AI experience (Claude or similar) over the last 6 to 12 months, and excitement about what it can do for finance.
- A passion for data, with experience tying operational metrics to financial results.
- High EQ and the ability to build credibility with operators at every level.
- Hands-on and comfortable in a lean environment.
- Industry is flexible but business services, industrials, transportation, industrials, or similar preferred.
- Ambition to become a PE portfolio company CFO.
Location:
- Remote (Central, Eastern, or Mountain time zone) with travel to the Midwest headquarters about once a month.
See All 8 Strategic Finance Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsStrategic Finance Manager Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Strategic Finance Manager Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in strategic finance manager jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related quantitative field required
- Five or more years of progressive FP&A, corporate finance, or investment banking experience expected
- Advanced financial modeling skills in Excel with demonstrated experience building three-statement models
- CFA or CPA credential strongly preferred and frequently listed as a differentiator in Illinois postings
- Experience presenting financial analysis and strategic recommendations to C-suite or board-level audiences
- Proficiency with enterprise planning tools such as Hyperion, Anaplan, or Adaptive Insights commonly required
Strategic Finance Manager Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a strategic finance manager in Illinois?
The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or economics followed by several years in FP&A, investment banking, or corporate development roles at Illinois-headquartered firms or large regional employers. Illinois has no state-issued license specific to this role, but earning a CFA or CPA credential is a recognized differentiator in the Chicago market. Most candidates advance into the manager title after demonstrating ownership of budgeting cycles, long-range planning, or M&A analysis.
Which companies hire strategic finance managers in Illinois?
Employers hiring strategic finance managers in Illinois right now include HALO, Plaid, and DoorDash, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's deep base of Fortune 500 headquarters and major insurance and financial services firms creates consistent demand for this role across multiple industries.
Which Illinois cities have the most strategic finance manager jobs?
Chicago and Illinois have the most strategic finance manager openings in Illinois. Chicago dominates because it is home to a dense cluster of corporate headquarters, private equity firms, and major financial institutions, while suburban hubs like Downers Grove and Schaumburg generate openings through the large insurance carriers and consumer goods companies anchored there.
Are there remote strategic finance manager jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. About 75% of strategic finance manager openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based, analytical nature of the work. The portions of the role most commonly done remotely are financial modeling, variance analysis, and long-range planning, while in-person presence is more typical for executive presentations and cross-functional planning sessions.
How can I get hired as a strategic finance manager in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is landing a financial analyst or FP&A analyst role at a large Illinois employer and building toward the manager title over time. Companies like Allstate, Discover Financial Services, and Kraft Heinz run rotational finance programs and structured analyst tracks that develop candidates for strategic finance work. Earning a CFA Level I or passing the CPA exam while in an analyst role signals readiness and accelerates the progression in the competitive Chicago market.
Where can I find and apply to strategic finance manager jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to strategic finance manager jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to each one.
See All 8 Strategic Finance Manager Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Jobs