Director, FPA

Job Summary:

The Director of FP&A role is the responsible for leading the Americas Commercial Finance team with the mission to strategically influence business decisions, improve processes and optimize partnerships, performance, margin and growth through leveraging data and analytics. This role will act as a key business partner and will be an integral partner to the Chief Revenue Officer as well as other Senior Sales executives on a wide range of topics, including headcount planning, pipeline/forecasting and long-range operational planning. You are an exceptional communicator, turning cold hard numbers into relatable business insights, driving action and business outcomes. You are both a doer and a strategist, understanding when it's time to direct your team and when it's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the weeds.

You embrace ambiguity, forecasting challenges and planning for them. You create order from chaos and execute on the vision of the company. You know what a SaaS organization needs in order to grow, and which metrics matter and which ones are noise. You partner with the business to understand the goals of each business unit, and guide strategy to maximize business value.

The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to build relationships, influence leaders, and think strategically, as well as possess strong written and oral communication skills and provide excellent customer service.

Major Responsibilities/Activities:

Analyze forward-looking financial analytics to drive operational action that achieves business goals by partnering with CRO and other Senior Sales Leaders

Own process improvement and standardization, and best practice implementation across Americas finance

Drive continuous improvement of business decision-making and investment optimization, showing predictive sales metrics

Understanding SaaS KPIs such as ARR, Retention and Replacement rates, New Business Bookings, and metrics that indicate the operating effectiveness of the Sales and Marketing functions (conversion rates, pipeline coverage, marketing spend ROI, etc...)

Establish tools and financial frameworks for optimizing business decision-making within Salesforce and Power BI

Proactively provide future-forward strategic decision support through insightful, operational recommendations

Own COR/SG&A management across the Americas commercial business; Build and develop a high-performing team

Establish a best-in-class commercial finance team through talent management and development

Strategic Business Partner

Facilitate cross-functional communication and teamwork to understand all aspects of the operating performance, income drivers, unusual items and industry issues that might impact the platforms

Support all FP&A needs of the platforms, including analytics to focus the businesses on their key financial levers that drive performance and straightforward decision support tools that provide actionable insights

Perform regular industry benchmarking to inform business strategies and provide context to performance

Effectively communicate the performance, challenges and opportunities facing the platforms

Provide essential business insights while minimizing the operating team’s reporting time commitment 

Monthly/Quarterly Reporting

Responsible for Op Review reporting (monthly), ensuring clear linkage with the key drivers of performance, the budgets and the business incentive target

Budgeting & Forecasting

Organize monthly review packages including key financial metrics and performance indicators.

Responsible for the design and execution of all forecasting processes and models

Identify and execute on opportunities to simplify and enhance the current processes and models 

Analyze the business to identify trends in the business; recommend and implement specific corrective actions when warranted.

Support development of 3-year Strategic Plan, Annual Operating Plan, and Quarterly Review.

Lead monthly forecast process, providing periodic updates

Manage and/or assist with special projects on group wide initiatives, process simplification, and specific projects as requested.

Support Key Business Initiatives

Establish strong controls within the team and ensure data accuracy

Work closely with other functions on key projects (e.g., Accounting, Tax, Treasury) as needed

Help drive finance discipline, fact-based decision-making, and financial visibility

Perform financial analytics in support of all business decisions including balance sheet and cash flow forecasting.

Understand the key strategic priorities of the organization with an understanding of the "bigger picture" and perform analysis to ensure company resources are allocated efficiently in support of those priorities.

Build financials tools, reporting mechanisms, business modeling and financial planning processes that will effectively scale the growth of the business

Identify business risks and opportunities and initiate action plans to close identified gaps.

Accountabilities:

Be a trusted, strategic business partner who adds value by providing accurate, timely, and pertinent financial insights. Provide forward-looking financial leadership and analysis. Develop and implement robust procedures that create accurate, timely, and relevant financial statements, measurements, forecasts, plans, and business analysis. Focus on continuous improvement and clear communication skills. Coach the global financial staff on financial analysis and reporting issues.

Job Requirements:

Must have a min 7-10 years FP&A experience

Successful track record of working and thriving in a dynamic, growth-oriented and often highly ambiguous/transformative environment. SaaS experienced preferred or PR/Media exposure

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required

MBA or CPA preferred

Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.

Experience in developing and/or the ability to understand complex financial models.

Demonstrated ability to effectively develop planning calendars and meet deadlines

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others, including non-Finance personnel

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Advanced Excel skills and working knowledge of PowerPoint, and Word

Experienced in large ERP systems with multiple different currencies–; experienced with consolidation software/tools

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Ability to persuade others through disciplined use of data.

Strong in Systems including NetSuite, PowerBI, Salesforce or other CRM tool (Required)

Ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once maintaining accuracy and speed.

Positive attitude and demonstrated flexibility in re-prioritizing projects.

Strong problem solving, strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize large amounts of data.

Detail orientation with high attention to quality and accuracy.

Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Able to develop outstanding business relationships and provide functional leadership even though all players do not report directly to this position.

Above average written and oral communication skills

Disciplined work ethic, detail oriented and well organized.

Team player and results oriented.

Ability to work across cultures and functions seamlessly.