Who Is the New CFO of SiriusXM? Everything to Know About Zac Coughlin’s Appointment

Sirius XM Holdings has named Zac Coughlin as its new Chief Financial Officer, effective January 1, 2026. The announcement marks a significant leadership shift for the audio and media company as it focuses on in-car growth, cost control, and expanding its podcast and advertising footprint.

The move comes amid SiriusXM’s broader strategic realignment to strengthen its automotive partnerships and boost free cash flow, signaling a renewed emphasis on profitability and operational discipline.

Zac Coughlin’s Appointment and Experience

Zac Coughlin, currently the Executive Vice President and CFO at PVH Corp. — the parent company of Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger — will succeed outgoing CFO Tom Barry. Barry will step down on December 31, 2025, and stay briefly as an adviser during the transition.

Coughlin’s three-decade career spans multiple major brands, including roles at LVMH’s DFS Group as Group CFO and COO, Converse (Nike) as CFO, and over ten years in financial leadership at Ford Motor Company. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and a Bachelor’s in Finance and Supply Chain Logistics from The Ohio State University.

SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz praised Coughlin’s ability to drive “sustainable, profitable growth” and his experience managing complex global portfolios. His track record across retail and automotive industries aligns closely with SiriusXM’s shift toward in-car growth and tighter financial management.

Inside SiriusXM’s Broader Strategy Shift

Coughlin’s arrival comes as SiriusXM reinforces its commitment to the automotive market — the company’s most profitable and stable segment. Roughly 90% of SiriusXM’s subscribers access the service through embedded car systems, and management plans to expand this footprint with new pricing tiers and hybrid in-car technologies like 360L radios.

The company has also reaffirmed its 2025 financial targets, projecting $8.5 billion in revenue, $2.6 billion in adjusted EBITDA, and $1.15 billion in free cash flow. It aims to reach $1.5 billion in free cash flow by 2027, while trimming $700 million in debt and maintaining a quarterly dividend of $0.27 per share.

Alongside the CFO transition, SiriusXM is rolling out initiatives such as “SiriusXM Play,” a low-cost, ad-supported in-car plan priced under $7 per month, and its “Listen Free” promotional event that temporarily unlocks inactive car radios nationwide. These efforts are designed to re-engage lapsed users and introduce new listeners through flexible pricing and accessible content.

What This Means for Investors and Listeners

For investors, Coughlin’s appointment signals a renewed focus on cash flow, cost control, and shareholder returns. The company has already achieved about $350 million in cost savings between 2023 and 2024 and is targeting another $200 million in annualized savings by the end of 2025.

For listeners, the leadership change coincides with enhanced in-car features, improved app integration, and a stronger emphasis on live content, including sports, talk, and podcasts. Apple recently recognized SiriusXM as the world’s No. 1 podcast channel, highlighting the company’s growing influence in digital audio.

Coughlin’s challenge will be to sustain profitability while adapting SiriusXM’s model for a rapidly changing audio landscape — ensuring the company remains a leader in cars, on apps, and across its expanding podcast network.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Who is the new CFO of SiriusXM?

Zac Coughlin will become SiriusXM’s new CFO starting January 1, 2026, succeeding Tom Barry.

Q2: Where did Zac Coughlin work before joining SiriusXM?

He served as Executive Vice President and CFO at PVH Corp., and previously worked with LVMH, Nike’s Converse, and Ford Motor Company.

Q3: What are SiriusXM’s 2025 financial goals?

The company targets $8.5 billion in revenue, $2.6 billion in adjusted EBITDA, and $1.15 billion in free cash flow, with plans to hit $1.5 billion by 2027.

Q4: What is SiriusXM’s focus after the CFO transition?

SiriusXM is doubling down on in-car subscriptions, ad-supported plans, and podcast growth, while maintaining strong shareholder returns.

Q5: When will the “Listen Free” in-car event run?

The “Listen Free” event is live from November 20 to December 1, 2025, offering free access to SiriusXM channels in inactive car radios.