Regional Finance Director

At Gensler, we design for people. With a global network of more than 7,000 professionals across 57 locations, we bring together creativity, business insight, and technical expertise to shape the future of cities and communities. Our people-centered, “People First” culture and “One Firm-Firm” philosophy fosters deep collaboration across disciplines and geographics, enabling us to deliver impactful, innovation solutions for our clients. In Gensler’s South Central Region, we operate across major cities including Austin, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Nashville, and San Antonio.

Your Role

As the Regional Finance Director – South Central you will lead financial strategy, operations, and performance management across Gensler’s South Central Region (SCR). You will act as a trusted strategic partner to regional and local leadership, driving profitability and business performance, strengthening financial discipline, and enabling sustainable growth in a dynamic, project-based environment.

The role offers a unique opportunity for a high-potential finance leader to expand beyond traditional finance into broader operational leadership within a leading global professional services firm.

What You Will Do

Strategic Business Partnership

• Serve as a strategic financial advisor to leadership, including Office Managing Directors and Studio Leaders, driving decisions that maximize profitability while enabling sustainable growth and targeted investments

• Provide forward-looking financial insights, scenario analysis and performance diagnostics to optimize profitability and support growth

• Contribute to development and execution of strategic plans, budgets and forecasting, and performance targets

• Partner with SCR Regional Operating Officer on financial planning and business performance

Financial & Commercial Leadership

• Lead all aspects of financial management across SCR, including project accounting and revenue recognition, budgeting and forecasting, P&L and Balance Sheet oversight, cash flow and AR management

• Drive improvements in project profitability

• Provide commercial guidance on commercial terms and fee structures in contracts

• Ensure full compliance with tax and regulatory requirements, as well as firm policies and procedures

Performance Management & Operational Excellence

• Monitor key financial and operational metrics across offices and studios

• Drive operational consistency, financial discipline and process standardization  

• Identify and execute continuous process improvement initiatives across finance operations

• Support execution of firmwide systems, tools, and operational initiatives

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, develop, and mentor the finance team including Accounting Manager and Project Accountants

• Build a high-performing, accountable, collaborative and inclusive team culture

• Strengthen finance capabilities in project accounting, analytics, and business partnering

• Coach non-financial leaders on financial management and commercial acumen and profitability drivers

• Partner cross-functionally with HR, IT, facilities, marketing and design technology teams

Regional & Global Engagement

• Build strong relationships across SCR and global finance communities

• Participate actively in regional and global initiatives

• Develop best practices and lead knowledge sharing

Your Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, or related field required

• 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience, preferably within a global or multi-office professional services firm

• Proven experience leading finance operations across multiple locations

• Deep understanding of local business environments including regulatory, labor, tax, compliance, risk, and operational complexity

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate and influence senior stakeholders and drive business outcomes

• Experience managing complexity, ambiguity, and growth environments

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills

• Willingness and ability to travel for business within the region and USA

• Uncompromising standards of ethics, professionalism and integrity

Preferred

• CPA or MBA preferred but not required

• Proficiency in data analytics and enterprise systems, including financial reporting, project accounting, and resource planning tools (e.g. Deltek VantagePoint, Excel, Power BI or equivalent platforms)

TO BE CONSIDERED, PLEASE SUBMIT A CURRENT RESUME IN PDF FORMAT

This position is in-person. Successful candidates will be located in the Houston or Dallas, Texas area. If you’re open to relocating to the area, please apply!

Life at Gensler

At Gensler, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best-in-class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well-being Awareness Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.