Tony Brown, 40, has been working at Everton and is brought to Ninian Park by Peter Ridsdale on the recommendation of former Leeds chief executive Trevor Birch.
His brief will be to look at the club's short-term funding, to help with the stadium project and to restructure the long-term loan notes.
"Tony is a top-notch appointment for the club and this is a very important signal to Cardiff council that we are serious about the club's long-term future," Peter Ridsdale told the Western Mail.