Financial Systems Manager

Responsibilities:

 

Client?s Accounting Services team works closely with senior management, including the CFO, Controller, Assistant Controller and others, to manage critical financial transactions processes and key financial controls.

 

Reporting to the Vice President and Controller, the Financial Systems Manager will:

 

-Act as an internal consultant; develop short and long-range financial systems and reporting technologies in partnership with various customers.
-Assist in the technology management lifecycle development.
-Present financial systems strategic plans to upper management as needed.
-Recommend, define, and implement strategies to improve technology and continuous process improvements.
-Be a specialist in financial systems acting as a liaison and business partner between Finance and internal and external "customers" including IT personnel and Financial Systems users.
-Develop analytical approaches to related tools/technology to deliver financial intelligence and facilitate understanding of business data and results.
-Partner with IT and the Finance and Administration leadership team to establish a roadmap and best practices, providing alternatives and making recommendations.
-Define business requirements relative to Finance technology initiatives including complete business requirements, scope identification, business process definition, and cost/benefit analysis.
-Partner with technology service providers to administer and ensure data integrity of data flows from an end-to-end perspective.
-Coordinate applications development support as it pertains to financial systems readiness.
-Work with vendors to evaluate, analyze and recommend new technology solutions.
-Manage vendors for finance related hardware, software, and consulting services.
-Document system processes, reports and system functionality.
-Mentor and coach staff to maximize their personal and professional development and their contribution to finance technology?s goals.
-Identify and create development opportunities for staff.
-Set and communicate expectations, observe and provide consistent, honest feedback.

 

The Manager will also be responsible for helping support the transformation of Finance, as it develops into a customer-driven employee empowered organization.  The Manager will contribute to the culture and infrastructure of the group by developing best practices, mentoring staff, and advocating the group?s mission and programs across the Finance division.

 

The Manager will provide leadership and guidance to a team of people who support Finance?s systems and technology needs, including:

-Financial systems architecture
-Financial systems controls and data integrity
-Application development and maintenance
-Vendor management
-Financial tools and technology


Qualifications:

 

As a successful candidate, you are a finance leader with a proven ability to manage large and complex systems. You know how to navigate a matrixed organization to gather information and influence results. You thrive in a complicated environment in which you must resolve issues that cut across the organization.

You have the ability to manage large quantities of data and transactions in a financial environment. You understand the financial systems, data sources and complexities in the financial transaction processing arena. You can play a lead role in evaluating and implementing changes to financial systems that improve processes within the organization.

 

You have a demonstrated and proven ability to manage, develop and lead talent. You have recruited and developed skilled financial systems specialists.

This is a fast-paced environment that requires the ability to manage multiple, complex projects and competing priorities.  Candidates must be comfortable working in an ambiguous environment and must be willing to challenge and change well-established business practices. 

Required skills:
-Strong management skills
-Exceptional interpersonal skills; ability to interact independently with all levels of the organization, including senior management
-Ability to motivate staff
-Ability to work on projects in a lead and support role
-Ability to implement change within the organization, particularly where change may not be comfortable

Ideal candidate will have:
-Extensive experience in developing and managing an accounting and financial systems
-Experience in building relationships with business owners and senior managers
-Knowledge of the financial services industry-- ideally in insurance or membership organizations
-7-10 years of related systems experience
-Demonstrated ability to drive performance improvement at the department level
-Exceptional problem solving and analytical skills
-Excellent written and verbal communication skills
-MBA a plus