Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development

Job Description

Five Oaks

Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development

Five Oaks is seeking to recruit an individual to serve as Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development at its entrepreneurial and innovative family-based operation in Arkansas County, Arkansas, located 10 miles south of Stuttgart, Arkansas.

About Five Oaks:

Located in the heart of the Mississippi Flyway, Five Oaks is an array of family-based investments, a national leader in agricultural research and education, and a world-renowned waterfowl hunting lodge.

Established in 1983, Five Oaks Duck Lodge is a premier destination for waterfowl hunting, offering exclusive access to flooded timber and rice fields. The lodge is renowned for its exceptional hospitality and dedication to preserving the natural environment. Adjacent to the lodge, Five Oaks Ag Research and Education Center (FOAgREC) operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on research and education in wetland and waterfowl conservation. In partnership with the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, FOAgREC offers a graduate certificate program in Waterfowl Habitat and Recreation Management Program, providing students with hands-on fieldwork opportunities. The organization also emphasizes youth education through programs like “Camp in a Box,” aiming to instill a passion for the outdoors and conservation in the next generation. With a legacy rooted in family tradition and a forward-looking approach to environmental stewardship, Five Oaks continues to lead in both recreational and conservation efforts.

For more information, please visit www.fiveoaksducklodge.com and www.fiveoaksrec.org.

About the position:

The Director of Finance & Strategic Business Development will serve as a key executive leader within a high-functioning family office dedicated to managing and enhancing a portfolio of agricultural, wildlife, and commercial real estate-based investments. This role will oversee financial operations, business development strategy, tax planning, and investment advisement, focusing on long-term sustainability and legacy planning.

This is a unique opportunity to lead within a value-driven enterprise that emphasizes conservation, land stewardship, and scientific research in wildlife and habitat management. The role requires a person who is a strategic thinker, collegial, possessing demonstrated financial expertise and  business judgment, and the ability to build systems that support both operational excellence and long-term generational planning. The new Director position will be based in Five Oaks' main office, which is located 10 miles south of Stuttgart, Arkansas.

 

Key Goals & Responsibilities

The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development will be challenged to meet the following goals and responsibilities:

Financial Management & Strategy

Oversee and direct all aspects of financial operations, including accounting, cash flow management, and budgeting. 

• Develop long-term financial strategies aligned with the family’s mission and growth goals.
  
  
• Monitor performance of investment portfolios, including land, agriculture, commercial real estate, and private equity holdings. 

• Manage banking relationships, financial risk, insurance, and audit activities and oversee financial operations of commercial real estate portfolio. 

• Develop and manage the financial aspects of grant opportunities, reporting, and building strategic relationships with grant partners. 

• Prepare and deliver financial reporting, dashboards, and performance insights to the principal and advisors.

 

Business Development & Strategic Growth

•  Identify and evaluate new ventures across agriculture, hospitality, conservation fields and commercial real estate opportunities. 

• Lead financial due diligence and modeling for new land acquisitions or business opportunities. 

• Structure and negotiate partnerships, leases, and business agreements with external operators and vendors. 

• Support the expansion and monetization of sustainable hunting, outfitting, and research-based programs.

Tax & Compliance Advisory 

• Serve as the primary liaison for tax strategy, preparation, and compliance in coordination with external accountants and attorneys. 

• Advise on trust, estate, and philanthropic structures from tax optimization and compliance lens. 

• Ensure adherence to all regulatory and legal requirements across business entities and investment types. 

• Maintain accurate records for real estate, investment holdings, and financial transactions.

 

Lodge & Real Estate Oversight 

• Provide financial oversight and capital planning for the management of a private hunting lodge and associated grounds. 

• Coordinate property maintenance and use with property managers, hospitality teams, and conservation experts. 

• Evaluate capital projects related to land improvements, facilities, and guest experience enhancement.

 

Professional Qualifications and Personal Attributes

The Director of Finance and Strategic Business Development should ideally possess the following professional qualifications and personal attributes: 

• Active Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation or comparable education and experience.
  
  
• 10+ years of experience in fiscal management, investment advisory, or strategic planning.
  
  
• Prior experience in a family office, private equity firm, or conservation-oriented organization is a plus. 

• Deep understanding of real estate, tax advisory, and long-term asset management.
  
  
• Background in industries such as agriculture, natural resource management, land conservation, hospitality and commercial real estate. 

• Proven history of developing financial infrastructure and driving strategic business decisions.
  
  
• Highly organized with the ability to manage diverse portfolios and navigate ambiguity with discretion and integrity. 

• Comfortable working closely with a principal in a confidential, relationship-based environment.

• Collegial, trustworthy, and possessing the highest level of personal and professional integrity.

• Adept interpersonal communication skills, including an ability to present complex ideas in a compelling manner and an ability to build trust and listen effectively.

Compensation 

Five Oaks offers a competitive base salary along with performance-based bonus opportunities. Generous health, dental and retirement plan options. Access to exclusive conservation and hunting lodge resources. Relocation support is offered.

Application Instructions

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a cover letter explaining how their skills and background fit this position and a resume to: Daniel Sherman, President, Explore Company at resumes@explorecompany.com.  Refer to Five Oaks/DFSBD in the subject line. No phone inquiries please.

All correspondence will remain confidential.