The Finance Systems Lead is responsible for the strategy, operational support, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement of enterprise applications supporting Finance business functions. This role serves as the primary liaison between Finance leadership, IT teams, software vendors, and external service providers to ensure applications are secure, reliable, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives. The position combines operational leadership with responsibility for strategic technology initiatives, digital transformation programs, and AI-driven innovation. The Finance Systems Lead provides end-to-end accountability for Finance technology deliverables, partnering closely with business and technology stakeholders to drive value creation, optimize processes, manage risk, and support enterprise priorities. This role requires a strong blend of business acumen, technical expertise, strategic thinking, and leadership through influence to successfully manage complex initiatives and ensure the delivery of high-quality business outcomes.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Application Operations and Support
- Lead the operational support, maintenance, and lifecycle management of enterprise Finance applications.
- Ensure application availability, performance, security, and compliance with established service-level agreements (SLAs).
- Manage incident, problem, change, and release management processes to minimize business disruption.
- Coordinate application upgrades, patches, testing activities, and production deployments.
- Monitor application performance and drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance user experience and operational efficiency.
- Ensure compliance with corporate IT governance, cybersecurity, risk management, and procurement policies.
- Business Partnership and Strategic Alignment
- Serve as the primary IT partner for Finance business stakeholders and leadership teams.
- Collaborate with Finance and technology partners to understand business requirements and translate them into technology solutions and support strategies.
- Provide leadership visibility into Value Creation Programs, AI initiatives, project status, operational risks, commitments, and mitigation plans.
- Facilitate prioritization of application enhancements, investment opportunities, and strategic technology initiatives.
- Develop and maintain technology roadmaps aligned with Finance business objectives and enterprise strategies.
- Digital Transformation and Innovation
- Drive Finance technology modernization and digital transformation initiatives.
- Identify and implement opportunities to leverage AI, automation, advanced analytics, and emerging technologies to improve business processes and outcomes.
- Support the adoption of modern data and analytics platforms to enhance decision-making and operational effectiveness.
- Champion innovation initiatives that create measurable business value and improve organizational capabilities.
- Program and Project Leadership
- Lead cross-functional teams responsible for application enhancements, integrations, and strategic project delivery.
- Provide end-to-end accountability for Finance-related technology deliverables across major programs and initiatives.
- Monitor project execution, resource allocation, and sourcing decisions to ensure delivery against cost, quality, timing, and capacity objectives.
- Escalate issues proactively and drive cross-functional alignment to resolve risks and remove obstacles.
REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelors Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Finance, Accounting, Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience supporting enterprise business applications, Finance systems, ERP solutions, or related technology environments.
- Experience supporting SAP and/or other enterprise business applications.
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex initiatives and drive results in a cross-functional environment.
- Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, including experience interacting with senior leadership.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced and evolving environment.
- Experience leading through influence and collaborating across diverse business and technology teams.
- Proven ability to identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and drive issue resolution.
- Results-oriented mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and business value creation.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS
- Experience leading application support teams, projects, or technology programs.
- Advanced SAP knowledge, particularly within Finance modules and integrated business processes.
- Experience with Finance transformation, ERP modernization, or digital transformation initiatives.
- Experience leveraging AI, machine learning, intelligent automation, or advanced analytics solutions within enterprise environments.
- Experience with modern data and analytics platforms such as Snowflake, Databricks, Microsoft Fabric, or Palantir Foundry.
- Project Management certification or demonstrated project leadership experience.
- Experience working with managed service providers and global delivery organizations.
- Knowledge of Agile, DevOps, ITIL, or related technology delivery frameworks.
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