EVP, Chief Financial Officer

At CEC Entertainment, we build careers around great food, family, and fun! Our purpose and our passion is to create the best place for kids and families to eat and play!

Job Description

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will be a strategic business partner to the CEO, the executive team, and the Company's Board of Managers. The CFO role will be key in leading the Company through its next phase of growth and transformation. This individual will provide executive leadership and direct the fiscal operations of the company, supporting strategy, revenue growth (especially via our membership programs), profitability, new unit development and optimization of our real estate footprint all in a collaborative "test and learn" environment. The CFO is responsible for the Company's finance function, including financial planning and analysis, accounting and controls, treasury, tax, IR and corporate real estate and development. The CFO is expected to serve as a strategic, forward-thinking member of the leadership team by understanding the key drivers of the business and leveraging data and analysis to bring structure and financial discipline to ensure profitable growth. They will work collaboratively with the executive team and others in the company to develop strategic initiatives and lead day-to-day operational execution. The CFO will be a results and performance-oriented finance leader who utilizes data to challenge the status quo and identify opportunities to support, drive and improve the operations, offers and overall business.

The company is headquartered in Irving, Texas.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports to Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports

• VP, CAO, Controller
• VP, Tax & Treasurer (incl IR)
• VP, Real Estate
• Sr Dir, FP&A
• Total team of ~45

Other key relationships

• Executive Leadership Team
• Board of Managers
• External Auditors, Bankers, etc.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Strategic Partner and trusted advisor to the CEO and Executive Leadership Team, providing counsel on critical business decisions that enhance overall performance. Collaborate across the organization to build strong relationships and foster a results-driven culture focused on executing organizational strategies and creating shareholder value. Translate strategic priorities into clear objectives and actionable plans, while optimizing key initiatives to maximize efficiency, impact, and long-term business outcomes.
• Operational Finance & Business Leader. Direct and manage all aspects of the finance function. This includes financial planning & analysis, budgeting, treasury, accounting, tax and real estate functions while ensuring the timeliness and accuracy of the company's financial results and reporting.
• Investment Decision Making. Help guide decisions on how the company should invest its limited capital to support growth and high returns in both existing and new areas of the business. Work closely with the CEO and Executive Leadership Team to evaluate opportunities, analyze potential returns, and support initiatives from early review through execution which will include significant testing of new theories and equipment.
• Financial Planning & Analysis. Oversee financial planning and performance tracking across the organization. Lead a data-driven FP&A team that monitors key metrics, provides clear insights, and supports informed decision-making at all levels. Quickly assess business situations and develop practical action plans to address opportunities or challenges.
• Accounting & Controls. Ensure the company maintains strong and reliable accounting practices and internal controls to support accurate reporting and responsible financial management.
• Balance Sheet Management. Manage the company's balance sheet with a focus on cash flow, capital investments, working capital, liquidity, and banking relationships. Monitor returns on invested capital and works with business leaders to improve the performance of both new and existing investments.
• Internal & External Relations. Clearly communicate the company's strategy, financial plans, and performance to both internal teams, the Board of Managers and external stakeholders, key partners, and other third parties, adapting the message for each audience. This role will play a key part in external presentations and potential financial transactions.
• Collaboration with Key Departments. Ensure alignment across the organization on key aspects of our operations and strategic plans (marketing and the technology / data teams to ensure investments in systems, tools, and analytics support the company's current operations and future growth.
• Cost Management. Continuously identify and plan for increased efficiency and savings in our operation models.
• Team Leadership. Build and lead a strong team by hiring, mentoring, and developing talented people while creating an environment that motivates employees and supports long-term retention.

DESIRED OUTCOMES

• Assimilate into the role as a key partner to the CEO and executive leaders in executing the Company's future growth and value creation, while leveraging our unique and strategic advantage and positioning in the family entertainment space.
• Partner directly with the executive team and stakeholders to help drive the business to next level of growth and innovation by providing rigorous, consistent financial leadership and processes to chart a path towards an expected financial transaction in the coming years that maximizes returns for our investors.
• Develop valued and effective relationships with the Board of Managers and external stakeholders while ensuring transparent communication that inspires confidence about the business and plans.
• Focus on development of the finance and real estate teams while inspiring commitment and innovation during an important timeframe. Collaboratively deliver solutions that result in the finance organization being known as business-focused and a highly reliable contributor to the overall success of the company.
• Assimilate effectively into the company culture and develop a solid understanding of the team's industry leading business model and unique culture.

The CFO will be a high-impact, business-oriented leader and partner for the CEO and the executive team to successfully enable our focus and progress of the overall business strategy. The ideal candidate will be passionate about innovation and improvement of both the Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza brands. This person will be a strategic and hands-on operational business leader with a proven track record of success within a public or private equity sponsored multi-site consumer business. The CFO will be entrepreneurial in nature yet structured in approach, and comfortable working in a team-oriented, results-focused environment. The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading and developing a high-performing team, and a proven ability to drive change management. The CFO will be able to elevate strategic discussions by drawing upon their strong combined business and finance acumen. This executive is collaborative and energetic, as well as an excellent communicator who is able to articulate financial information to non-finance business operators. The proper candidate must possess influencing agility, high standards of ethics and an owner's mindset.

IDEAL EXPERIENCE

Senior Financial Leadership Experience

The ideal candidate will have experience as a CFO in a consumer-oriented business environment, with a preference for CFO experience in a private-equity environment.

Private Equity Experience

Track record successfully managing the financial function within a private equity sponsored enterprise is desirable.

Industry Experience

Multi-site consumer experience in retail, entertainment, hospitality or restaurants desired. Experience in businesses with recurring revenues, such as memberships, is also desirable.

Operational Finance Experience

Hands-on experience working closely with the operations of a highly tenured and experienced team.

Education Credentials

Strong academic credentials, including a bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, or a relevant field. An MBA and CPA are desirable.

CRITICAL LEADERSHIP CAPABILITIES

Acting Strategically

• Manages the 3-year Long Range Plan (or blueprint) to implement the enterprise strategy for the Company
• Identifies and prioritizes the most critical factors and impacts to consider in making decisions
• Makes plans to address changes or trends in the external landscape (i.e. competitors, economy, customers and market segments) that affect our business area
• Develop plans that consider the impact beyond own area or function and things broadly across the organization

Driving Results

• Acts to surpass team goals, seizing opportunities to extend the limits of what is possible
• Sets continually higher goals for the team that are ambitious but achievable
• Focuses on new business opportunities that enable business development, growth and EBITDA targets to be exceeded

Collaborating and Influencing

• Identifies all necessary stakeholders and connects with them to gain support or agreement on plans, testing, changes, etc.
• Negotiates with a genuine give-and-take approach that takes all parties' perspectives into account
• Takes advantage of opportunities to build strategic relationships to achieve a specific outcome
• Engages others in open dialogue and adapts own influence approach to different stakeholders in ways that address their interests or concerns
• Anticipates emerging or potential conflicts among all stakeholders and takes steps to pre-empt them

OTHER PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• The CFO possesses a hands-on, entrepreneurial style characterized by strong leadership, communication skills and drive. Highly intelligent, accomplished, low ego, and a solid team player.
• Strong track record working with cross functional teams to influence and shape business strategy and the operating model.
• Reputation for unquestioned integrity and professional performance in line with the highest ethical standards.
• High emotional intelligence combined with an empathetic and inclusive leadership style.
• The ability to respectfully debate and to exercise diplomacy while advocating ideas with a courage of conviction.
• Calm and steady executive presence which inspires trust and confidence at all levels within the organization.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

#Diversity #Inclusion #Culture

The Company:

CEC Entertainment, LLC ("CEC"), headquartered in Irving, Texas, is a nationally recognized leader in family dining and entertainment, proudly operating the iconic Chuck E. Cheese, Peter Piper Pizza and Chuck's Arcade brands.

Chuck E. Cheese celebrates over half a million birthdays annually, dedicated to creating joyful, lasting memories through fun, food, and play. As the placeWhere a Kid Can Be a Kid, the brand is committed to safetythrough programs like Kid Check and community support, having donated more than $24 million to schools and nonprofits. In 2025, Chuck E. Cheese received the "Best in STEM" award and was named one of America's Greatest Workplaces, highlighting its industry leadership both in innovation and employee well-being.

Peter Piper Pizza offers a neighborhood pizzeria experience with quality food, engaging entertainment, and lifelong memories because fun isn't added on---"The Fun is Baked In"! Through amusement and connection, families and communities are brought together every day. Both Chuck E. Cheese and Peter Piper Pizza champion play through different attractions to support physical wellness and strengthen motor skills in kids.

CEC Entertainment and its franchisees operate nearly 600 Chuck E. Cheese locations and over 120 Peter Piper Pizza venues across45statesand 18countries. The company proudly fosters a culture of diversity and celebrates fun and play to unite every family. Learn more at chuckecheese.com and peterpiperpizza.com.

Benefits:

CEC Entertainment offers a wide variety of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and 401(k) retirement savings plan to eligible U.S. employees as part of their overall employment package. We also offer job training and career growth opportunities. Chuck E. Cheese is a "Work Today, Get Paid Tomorrow" employer.

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At CEC Entertainment, we believe that our workforce should reflect the diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives of many guests we serve. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we do not discriminate against applicants due to race, ancestry, color, genetics, gender identify, gender ex-pression, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, veteran status, or on the basis of any other federal, state or local protected class.