The Manager, Finance Process & Strategy supports and executes initiatives to improve the efficiency, scalability, and effectiveness of finance and accounting operations-with a primary focus on executing the company's Finance Modernization initiative. This role manages key workstreams within the transformation roadmap, facilitates process standardization and automation, and collaborates cross-functionally to deliver measurable, sustainable improvements.
This position is based out of a current Knife River location, ideally our headquarters in Bismarck, ND, with hybrid work opportunities available.
Minimum Requirements:- Bachelor's degree in accounting, Finance, or related field
- 5-8 years of relevant experience in accounting, finance, or finance transformation
- Strong knowledge of financial close processes, accounting systems, and internal controls
- Proven experience leading process improvement or transformation initiatives
Preferred Requirements:- Experience with ERP systems, close management and reconciliation tools (e.g., JDE, BlackLine)
- Public accounting or consulting background
- Experience in construction materials, manufacturing, or similar industries
Duties and/or Responsibilities:- Core Ownership:
- Manage
- and execute assigned Finance Modernization workstreams, ensuring milestones are met on time and within scope
- Identify and eliminate non-value-added (NVA) activities to reduce close cycle time
- Coordinate with finance teams to develop the close calendar, task-level timelines, and accountability frameworks
- Track and report workstream progress against the finance modernization roadmap
- Coordinate with finance teams and shared services to align close activities
- Support the adoption of pre-close disciplines (e.g., soft close, rolling accruals, real-time reconciliations)
- Process Improvement and Standardization:
- Support the redesign of core finance processes (Record-to-Report (Financial Close), Procure-to-Pay (AP), Order-to-Cash (AR)) under the direction of senior leadership
- Standardize processes across regions/business units to eliminate variation
- Benchmark against peer companies and industry best practices
- Document and train on standardized processes
- Strategic Planning and Roadmap:
- Support the development and maintenance of the process transformation roadmap in partnership with senior leadership.
- Prepare business cases, ROI analyses, and executive presentations for transformation initiatives
- Support enterprise strategic projects impacting finance operations
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Collaborate with Accounting, FP&A, IT, Audit, Payroll, and Operations
- Facilitate Finance Modernization working sessions with finance teams, operations and process owners
- Manage competing priorities across enhancement requests and new implementations
- Change Management & Adoption:
- Assist in developing change management plans for process improvements and standardization
- Collaborate with Accounting to ensure training programs support process improvements and standardization
- Monitor adoption metrics and flag resistance proactively
- Gather and synthesize user feedback to inform future enhancements and roadmap priorities
- Promote a culture of continuous process improvement
- Governance & Controls:
- Coordinate with accounting to ensure redesigned processes maintain strong internal controls and SOX compliance
- Collaborate with Internal Audit on control design and documentation for processes
- Support audit readiness within the compressed close timeline
- Metrics & Reporting:
- Maintain and update the Finance Modernization KPI dashboard
- Report workstream progress to the leadership team on a regular cadence
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:- Close acceleration mindset - relentless focus on reducing cycle time
- Strong project management and organizational skills
- Ability to influence cross-functionally without direct authority
- Analytical and problem-solving orientation
- Change management and adoption leadership
- Clear and effective communication at all levels
How To Apply:If unable to apply online, please mail completed application to:
Knife River Corporation
Box 5568
Bismarck, ND 58506
