POSITION OVERVIEWThe Director is a senior Finance leader responsible for enabling Finance's digital maturity by translating Finance priorities into practical business capabilities and operational improvements.
This role oversees the Finance application portfolio, including cloud-based ERP platforms, Finance-specific applications, Finance data assets, automation tools and AI-enabled solutions. It ensures these capabilities support reliable reporting, efficient processes, strong controls and scalable decision support.
Leading a team of Finance professionals with strong systems, data and process expertise, the incumbent promotes continuous improvement and supports Finance users and leaders in adopting new ways of working.
As the primary business owner for Finance processes, data, controls and application outcomes, the position partners closely with Product Managers, Product Owners, Delivery Leads and IT teams.
The Director also represents Finance priorities, requirements, controls and adoption needs within digital product governance, planning and prioritization activities.
CHALLENGES TO BE MET1. Own Finance requirements for applications, data and digital capabilities- Assess Finance processes, user needs and control requirements to identify opportunities to simplify, scale, enhance or retire applications.
- Oversee Finance business ownership of application and process implementation, enhancement and ongoing optimization - including ERP - while partnering with Product Managers and Product Owners responsible for digital product prioritization and product backlog decisions.
- Ensure Finance solutions support data accuracy, process efficiency, scalability, reporting needs and appropriate controls.
- Partner with IT to support integration across Finance and enterprise systems, improving data flow and operational effectiveness.
- Plan Finance team capacity across support, enhancements, process improvement and transformation priorities.
2. Build and communicate the Finance capability plan- Translate enterprise strategy and Finance priorities into a multi-year Finance capability plan and business outcomes framework, while providing Finance input into digital product roadmaps.
- Recommend and influence prioritization of Finance initiatives with Finance Transformation, Product Management, IT and business leaders based on business value, risk, feasibility and readiness.
- Communicate Finance capability plan choices, trade-offs, dependencies and expected outcomes to Finance and enterprise stakeholders.
- Capture user pain points and convert them into clear business requirements, adoption plans and improvement opportunities.
- The Finance capability plan guides Finance investments, process improvements, adoption activities and business requirements.
3. Drive Finance innovation, automation and adoption- Pilot and evaluate emerging Finance solutions, including automation, AI-enabled analytics and workflow tools, using measurable business outcomes and user feedback.
- Expand Finance self-service capabilities, data products and analytics tools in partnership with Finance leaders and data teams.
- Engage cross-functional partners to assess practical solutions that improve Finance processes and decision support.
- Champion adoption through change support, guidance and training for Finance users and leaders.
- Partner with Product Managers and Product Owners to ensure Finance requirements, controls and adoption considerations are reflected in product roadmaps and delivery backlogs.
4. Lead and develop the Finance Applications and Data (Spoke) team- Lead, coach and develop a team of Finance professionals with systems, data and process expertise.
- Lead teams responsible for Finance systems support, configuration, data stewardship, process optimization and Finance transformation activities.
- Foster data integrity accountability, collaboration, innovation and continuous learning while balancing operational support with transformation priorities.
- Clarify ways of working between Finance capability teams and product/delivery teams to avoid role duplication and improve execution clarity.
5. Maintain Finance controls, data governance and risk practices- Apply enterprise data governance practices to support accuracy, consistency, access management and protection of sensitive financial information.
- Support internal and external audit requirements related to Finance systems, processes, reporting and controls.
- Partner with IT on technology risk, cybersecurity and business resiliency practices that affect Finance applications and data.
- Own Finance business controls, data quality expectations and compliance requirements associated with Finance capabilities, while collaborating with Product Management, Delivery and Technology teams on implementation.
SKILLSFinance systems and data fluency- Finance applications: Strong understanding of ERP, planning, forecasting, consolidation, reporting and other Finance platforms from a business ownership perspective.
- Data and analytics: Knowledge of Finance data models, reporting, analytics, data governance and self-service decision support.
- Risk and controls: Understanding of financial controls, access management, audit requirements and technology risk practices relevant to Finance systems.
- Emerging technology awareness: Practical understanding of automation, cloud-enabled platforms and AI-enabled tools as applied to Finance processes and decision support.
- Strategic thinking: Ability to translate Finance strategy into a practical Finance capability plan that improves efficiency, controls, insight generation and user experience.
Financial acumen- Accounting and reporting: Solid understanding of accounting, chart of accounts, financial statements, reporting cycles, reconciliations and Finance control environments.
- Finance processes: Strong understanding of Finance operational processes, related best practices and improvement opportunities.
Team leadership and delivery discipline- Proven ability to lead Finance teams, manage priorities, support disciplined execution and guide business change.
- Ability to develop people, build expertise and balance operational support with transformation activities.
Collaboration and communication- Business partnering: Strong business partnering skills to ensure goal alignment across Finance, IT and business users.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Ability to work collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including Finance, IT, operations and business units.
- Stakeholder management: Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with senior management and other stakeholders.
- Communication skills: Bilingualism is a must. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain Finance process, data and technology implications to senior and non-technical audiences.
EXAMPLES OF KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORSExamples of Key Performance Indicator that this role would be accountable: adoption rate, automation rate, data quality score, user satisfaction level, process efficiency indicators and control effectiveness indicators.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOREducation and qualifications- Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting or a related field.
- 10+ years of experience in Finance, banking, insurance or financial services, with significant exposure to Finance systems, data, reporting or transformation, including 4+ years in a leadership role.
Experience- Experience supporting Finance transformation, application modernization, automation, data or analytics initiatives.
- Track record supporting planning, forecasting, consolidation, reporting or close processes through Finance applications and improved ways of working.
- Experience in an end-to-end ERP or Finance platform implementation is an asset.
- Experience with automation, AI-enabled analytics or workflow tools applied to Finance use cases.
- Experience with data analytics, business intelligence or self-service reporting in a Finance environment.
- Proven ability to map Finance processes and controls to technology-enabled solutions and measurable business outcomes.
- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop direct reports, with a focus on accountability, continuous learning, performance and collaboration.
- Experience operating in complex, dynamic environments with multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
