Interim CFO - Government Contracting

Job Description

Job Description

Interim Chief Financial Officer – Government Contracting / Shipbuilding (Confidential Client)

Location: On-site, Mobile, AL area (relocation or temporary housing for the right candidate considered) Engagement Type: Interim / Contract

About the Engagement

McCracken Alliance is conducting a confidential search for an Interim Chief Financial Officer on behalf of a large, privately operated U.S. shipbuilder and government contractor headquartered on the Gulf Coast. Our client builds surface vessels and complex components for the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard, with a multi-thousand-employee workforce, more than $1B invested in domestic shipyard infrastructure, and active programs across surface ships, submarine module fabrication, and ship repair.

This is a high-visibility seat reporting into senior executive leadership, with full ownership of the finance function during the interim period and a meaningful opportunity to shape the permanent CFO mandate.

The Role

The Interim CFO will own day-to-day leadership of the finance organization, partner closely with the CEO and executive team, and provide steady, credible financial leadership during a period of growth across multiple defense programs. Core responsibilities include:

• Leading all aspects of accounting, FP&A, treasury, and financial reporting
• Partnering with program management and operations on cost accounting across multiple long-cycle defense contracts
• Overseeing DCAA/DCMA compliance, indirect rate structures, and government contract accounting
• Managing relationships with lenders, auditors, and key external stakeholders
• Stabilizing and strengthening the finance team, processes, and reporting cadence
• Supporting executive leadership and the board with strategic financial guidance
• Helping shape and onboard the eventual permanent CFO
  

Required Experience

• 15+ years of progressive finance leadership, including prior CFO or senior divisional CFO experience
• Direct experience inside a U.S. government contractor , ideally a DoD prime or major sub
• Shipbuilding, heavy/complex manufacturing, or aerospace & defense industry background
• Deep familiarity with DCAA/DCMA, FAR/DFARS, CAS, and government contract cost accounting
• Experience managing finance across multi-program, long-cycle, capital-intensive operations
• Strong track record leading and developing finance teams of meaningful scale
• Demonstrated ability to operate on-site and engage directly with operations and program leadership
  

Strongly Preferred

• Prior interim or turnaround CFO experience
• Comfort with modern finance technology and AI-enabled tooling
• Experience supporting executive transitions and standing up reporting frameworks
  

Location & Logistics

• On-site, full-time in Mobile, AL
• Open to candidates willing to relocate temporarily; reasonable travel and housing accommodations considered for the right person
• Anticipated engagement length: 6+ months, with the possibility of extension based on permanent CFO search timing
  

Compensation

Competitive market-rate hourly engagement structured through McCracken Alliance. Specifics will be shared with qualified candidates during initial screening.

How to Apply

Submit your resume through ZipRecruiter. Qualified candidates will be contacted directly by McCracken Alliance to discuss the engagement in detail. All inquiries will be treated as confidential. The client name will be shared with shortlisted candidates under NDA.

McCracken Alliance is a fractional CFO and executive advisory firm partnering with founder-led, PE-backed, and privately held companies to place experienced finance leaders on a fractional, interim, or project basis.

Company Description

McCracken Alliance is a partnership of experienced CFOs, Controllers, and finance leaders that strengthens “the Office of the CFO” through on-demand executive talent and leadership development.

What we do:

Executive services (on-demand finance leadership): Interim CFO/Controller, Fractional CFO/Controller, and Virtual CFO/Controller support—step-in leadership for transitions or ongoing part-time strategic guidance.

Finance talent needs: Help companies fill leadership gaps (e.g., interim CFO needs, hiring a new controller) and augment teams for special projects.

Strategic/project support: Help with things like raising capital, due diligence, and M&A-related work; plus modernizing the finance function via software migration support.

Coaching + leadership development: CFO coaching and structured programs (Leading the Office of the CFO, CFO Leadership Program, Finance Team Leadership Program) plus a peer network (Financial Leadership Network).

Permanent placement (when you need a full-time leader): executive search to recruit and land a long-term fit.

Company Description

McCracken Alliance is a partnership of experienced CFOs, Controllers, and finance leaders that strengthens “the Office of the CFO” through on-demand executive talent and leadership development.\r\n\r\nWhat we do:\r\n\r\nExecutive services (on-demand finance leadership): Interim CFO/Controller, Fractional CFO/Controller, and Virtual CFO/Controller support—step-in leadership for transitions or ongoing part-time strategic guidance.\r\n\r\nFinance talent needs: Help companies fill leadership gaps (e.g., interim CFO needs, hiring a new controller) and augment teams for special projects.\r\n\r\nStrategic/project support: Help with things like raising capital, due diligence, and M&A-related work; plus modernizing the finance function via software migration support.\r\n\r\nCoaching + leadership development: CFO coaching and structured programs (Leading the Office of the CFO, CFO Leadership Program, Finance Team Leadership Program) plus a peer network (Financial Leadership Network).\r\n\r\nPermanent placement (when you need a full-time leader): executive search to recruit and land a long-term fit.