The Manager, Business & Strategic Planning is responsible for leading financial and operational analysis, business planning, productivity initiatives, and performance measurement to support the organization's strategic and financial objectives. This role partners with Finance, Operations, and other cross-functional leaders to identify opportunities to improve cost performance, productivity, and operational efficiency. The Manager leads the development of financial and labor models, performance reporting, business cases, and key performance indicators that enable informed decision-making. A key responsibility of this position is ensuring that identified productivity and efficiency opportunities translate into measurable business results by establishing expected benefits, tracking implementation, validating realized savings and operational improvements, and incorporating results into forecasts and business plans. The successful candidate will hold a bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study coupled with five years of progressively responsible work experience in a related field. This position will report to the Senior Director, Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A).

Essential Duties:

• Lead financial, operational, and productivity analysis to identify trends, performance gaps, cost drivers, risks, and opportunities for improvement
• Partner with Finance, Operations, and functional leaders to develop and execute business and strategic planning initiatives aligned with organizational priorities
• Lead the development of business cases, financial models, scenario analyses, and recommendations supporting strategic and operational decisions
• Develop and maintain labor and productivity models that provide insight into staffing requirements, operational performance, and cost efficiency
• Support annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning by providing analysis of productivity, labor, cost drivers, operational assumptions, and strategic initiatives
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), performance scorecards, and management reporting to measure productivity, efficiency, financial performance, and progress against organizational objectives
• Lead the development of dashboards and executive-level presentations that clearly communicate business performance, trends, risks, opportunities, and recommended actions
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, improve productivity, reduce costs, and enhance organizational effectiveness
• Partner with cross-functional teams to prioritize and implement productivity, cost-efficiency, and process-improvement initiatives
• Establish financial and operational baselines, expected benefits, implementation milestones, and success measures for productivity and strategic initiatives
• Track initiatives from business case through implementation and benefits realization, identifying gaps between projected and actual results and recommending corrective actions when necessary
• Validate realized cost savings, cost avoidance, productivity improvements, and other business benefits in partnership with FP&A, Accounting, Operations, and other stakeholders
• Ensure realized benefits and changes in business assumptions are appropriately reflected in forecasts, budgets, and long-range plans
• Maintain visibility into the organization's portfolio of productivity and efficiency initiatives, including expected value, realized value, timing, risks, and implementation status
• Provide data-driven recommendations to senior leadership and effectively communicate complex financial and operational information to financial and non-financial stakeholders
• Support strategic projects and enterprise initiatives through financial analysis, business planning, project coordination, and performance measurement
• Promote the effective use of automation, artificial intelligence, business intelligence, and analytics tools to improve productivity, reporting, and decision-making
• Develop standardized methodologies, tools, and processes for business planning, financial modeling, productivity analysis, benefits realization, and performance reporting
• Manage, coach, and develop team members; establish priorities, provide guidance, and ensure timely delivery of high-quality analysis and reporting
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement

Job Qualifications and Competencies:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, Data Analytics, or another relevant field
• Five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in financial planning and analysis, business planning, operational finance, strategy, data analytics, or a related field
• Strong financial acumen with demonstrated experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, labor modeling, and business-case development
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or measuring productivity, cost-efficiency, or continuous-improvement initiatives
• Strong understanding of benefits realization, including establishing financial baselines, measuring results, and distinguishing sustainable savings from cost avoidance or timing differences
• Advanced analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate complex data into actionable business recommendations
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and influence stakeholders without direct authority
• Strong business partnership skills with the ability to work effectively with operational and senior leadership
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and executive communication skills
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling
• Proficiency with Business Intelligence tools and experience developing dashboards, reports, and data visualizations
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced environment
• Strong attention to detail while maintaining a broader strategic and enterprise perspective
• Ability to constructively challenge existing processes and drive meaningful change
• Experience leveraging technology, automation, and analytics to improve business processes and organizational productivity
• Demonstrated commitment to developing team members and creating an environment of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA), equivalent advanced degree, or professional certification
• Experience implementing AI-driven solutions in financial planning or operational processes
• Prior leadership experience managing teams in a dynamic environment

Work Environment:

• Standard office environment, use of telephones, computers, and other office equipment
• Some travel may be required

Physical Requirements:

• Occasional lifting up to 25 pounds

The above statements provide a brief description of the general nature of work performed and are not intended to be a complete list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required for this position. Duties and expectations are subject to change as needed.

Employment is contingent upon a clear driving record, 10-year Criminal History Records Check, and drug screen as required. We also require proof of high school or GED completion. Minimum 18 years of age.

Benefit package includes paid training, holiday pay, 401(k), vacation, and family travel on the American Airlines network. Medical and dental available.

Starting Rate:
$90,000.00/Annual Salary - 120,000.00/Annual Salary (Based on locale and experience)

In addition to a competitive salary, we offer bonuses awarded in accordance with company policies and applicable criteria.

Job Application Deadline:
October 19, 2026Please note that job postings expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Standard Time on the day before the job application deadline. Ensure your application is submitted on time to be considered for the position.