NRG Energy

Senior Financial Analyst - Legal Operations

NRG Energy$75K — $115K *
Legal & Accounting
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Corporate Finance, or Accounting.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel with expertise in financial modeling and forecasting.
  • Experience in presenting financial data to diverse audiences and managing multiple priorities.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

  • Lead annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the Legal Department.
  • Collaborate with Legal leadership to analyze and present financial data.
  • Conduct monthly reviews of operating expenses and variance analysis.
  • Prepare executive-level financial reports and recommendations.
  • Oversee legal spend management and provide optimization recommendations.

Benefits

  • Hybrid work schedule with flexibility for remote work.
  • Collaborative office environment with limited travel required.
  • Opportunity for professional development and career growth within a major corporate function.
Full Job Description
Senior Financial Analyst - Legal Operations

Position Summary

NRG is seeking a Senior Financial Analyst - Legal Operations to serve as the dedicated finance lead for the Legal Department. This highly visible role will own financial planning, forecasting, budget management, performance reporting, and strategic analysis for a multi-million-dollar functional budget. The successful candidate will partner closely with Legal leadership to provide financial insights, support investment decisions, optimize spending, and drive continuous improvement in financial processes. This position offers a unique opportunity to combine financial expertise with strategic business partnership in support of a critical corporate function.

Ideal for a high-performing finance professional seeking increased responsibility and leadership exposure, this role offers opportunities to influence business decisions, support strategic initiatives, and develop professionally within a collaborative, results-oriented culture.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Forecasting
  • Serve as the primary finance lead for the Legal Department, owning the annual budget, quarterly forecasts, long-range planning, and financial performance management processes.
  • Partner closely with the General Counsel, Director of Legal Operations, and Finance leadership to develop, analyze, and present annual budget and forecast assumptions.
  • Lead departmental headcount planning activities, including workforce forecasting, open position tracking, personnel cost analysis, and organizational changes.
  • Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and strategic planning assumptions to support business decisions and resource allocation.
  • Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide recommendations to improve forecast accuracy and departmental performance.


Financial Reporting, Analysis & Decision Support
  • Conduct monthly financial reviews of Legal Department operating expenses, personnel costs, open positions, and company-wide outside counsel spend.
  • Perform variance analysis against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, identifying key drivers and actionable insights.
  • Prepare and present executive-level financial reports, dashboards, presentations, and recommendations to the General Counsel and Legal leadership team.
  • Prepare, review, and coordinate quarterly accrual reporting to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with Corporate Accounting requirements.
  • Serve as the primary financial liaison between the Legal Department and key corporate functions, including FP&A, Accounting, Human Resources, Procurement, M&A and Treasury.
  • Lead ad hoc analyses and provide data-driven recommendations in support of strategic, operational, and financial decision-making.


Legal Spend & Financial Operations Management
  • Develop expertise in legal spend management, including outside counsel budgeting, forecasting, accrual management, and law firm rate analysis.
  • Develop expertise in the Company's eBilling and matter management system, including generating spend reports, analyzing legal expenditures and law firm performance, and monitoring budget-to-actual results.
  • Monitor outside counsel spend trends and budget utilization, providing recommendations to optimize legal expenditures while supporting business objectives.
  • Support financial oversight of legal technology investments, vendor relationships, and departmental operating expenses.
  • Ensure proper financial governance through cost allocation, coding, and compliance with company financial policies.


Strategic Analytics, Automation & Business Partnership
  • Develop and maintain reporting, analytics, and automation solutions including Power BI dashboards and AI-enabled tools to improve financial visibility, forecasting accuracy, and process efficiency.
  • Support Legal Operations initiatives through financial analysis, business case development, vendor evaluations, contract reviews, and cost-benefit assessments.
  • Partner with senior leaders to evaluate investments, support strategic initiatives, and influence decision-making through data-driven insights.
  • Continuously identify opportunities to improve financial processes, reporting capabilities, and overall decision support.


Minimum Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • 5+ years of experience in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Corporate Finance, Accounting, or a related financial discipline.
  • Experience supporting annual budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, accrual management, and variance analysis processes.
  • Experience developing financial models and translating financial data into actionable business insights.
  • Experience partnering with business leaders and presenting financial information to both finance and non-finance audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and work independently in a fast-paced environment.
  • Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, including financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis.
  • Experience working with ERP and financial planning systems.
  • Experience utilizing PowerPoint to develop executive-level presentations and financial reporting materials.
  • Experience with data visualization and reporting tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar platforms.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
  • Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders and influence business decisions through analysis and recommendations.
  • Exceptional attention to detail, accuracy, and quality control, with the ability to consistently deliver error-free financial analyses, reports, forecasts, and presentations.
  • Ability to build effective partnerships across multiple functions and organizational levels.
  • Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
  • Ability to thrive in a collaborative, results-oriented environment while maintaining a high degree of accountability and ownership.


Preferred Qualifications
  • MBA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant graduate degree or professional certification.
  • Experience supporting corporate functions or shared services organizations, particularly Legal, Compliance, HR, IT, Finance, or similar G&A functions.
  • Experience managing departmental budgets and supporting executive-level stakeholders in a large corporate environment.
  • Experience developing advanced financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
  • Experience with legal spend management, eBilling, matter management, or outside counsel management platforms.
  • Experience with SAP, enterprise planning systems, Power BI, reporting automation, and advanced analytics or AI-enabled technologies.
  • Candidates who demonstrate strong business partnership, executive communication, analytical problem-solving skills, and a desire to grow into broader finance leadership responsibilities will be particularly successful in this role.


Working Conditions
  • Hybrid work schedule consisting of four days per week in the office and one day per week remote.
  • Primarily office-based role in a collaborative, open office environment.
  • Limited travel required (typically less than 5%).
  • Prolonged computer use required.
  • Periodic flexibility in working hours may be required during budget, forecast, close, and planning cycles.

The base salary range for this position is: $75,000 - $115,000* *The base salary range above represents the low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries will vary based on several factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. The range listed is just one component of the total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonus, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. In addition the position may be eligible to participate in the benefits program which include, but are not limited to, medical, vision, dental, 401K, and flexible spending accounts.

About NRG Energy

NRG is at the forefront of changing how people think about and use energy. Whether as the largest solar power developer in the country or by giving customers the latest tools to better manage their energy use, NRG is a pioneer in developing smarter energy choices. Our diverse power generating facilities have a capacity of about 52,000 megawatts, capable of supporting almost 42 million homes. Our retail electricity providers — Reliant and Energy Plus — and thermal energy division serve nearly 3 million residential, business, commercial and industrial customers. A Fortune 250 company, NRG supports clean energy resources and technologies critical to our transition to a sustainable, low carbon society. We built the nation's first privately-funded electric vehicle charging infrastructure and continue to create new, clean energy solutions for our customers. In addition to our environmental efforts, we actively contribute to the local communities where NRG employees live and work. Since 2004, our Global Giving program has provided millions of dollars to organizations and charities that have a direct impact on the lives of the people in our communities, including food banks and those that foster self-sufficiency, improve housing and provide supplemental education to people in need. NRG has also organized special responses for victims of extreme catastrophe, such as the Haitian earthquake and the Japanese tsunami in 2010. Employee donations were tripled to maximize the contributions. NRG has won numerous awards for industry leadership and many of its nationwide econrg initiatives, which are targeted toward meeting the challenges of climate change, clean air and natural resources protection.

NRG Energy Careers

Join the vibrant team at NRG Energy, a leader in the power and energy sector, and contribute to a sustainable future while advancing your career. At NRG Energy, we are committed to innovation, leadership, and diversity, ensuring a dynamic workplace where growth and opportunity are at the forefront.

Work You’ll Do

At NRG Energy, you’ll engage in meaningful work that powers communities and fosters environmental stewardship. Our team of professionals is dedicated to leading the energy sector through cutting-edge innovation and sustainable practices. By joining us, you help shape the future of energy, leveraging your skills to make a significant impact.

Explore Job Opportunities and Internships

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a recent graduate, NRG Energy offers a range of job opportunities and internships that will harness your potential and polish your skills. Our positions span from technical roles in energy management to leadership tracks in corporate functions. Each role is crucial in driving our mission of a sustainable energy future.

Career Development and Benefits

NRG Energy is deeply invested in the professional growth of its employees. We offer robust career development programs, including leadership training, professional networking opportunities, and diversity training. Our benefits package is designed to support the well-being and financial security of our team members and their families, promoting a healthy work-life balance.

Culture of Innovation and Diversity

Our company culture celebrates diversity, encourages innovation, and fosters a collaborative environment. At NRG Energy, you’ll work alongside a diverse team of experts, each bringing unique perspectives that drive our success. We believe that inclusive teamwork and innovative thinking are the keys to our continued growth and leadership in the energy sector.

Join Our Team

Embark on a rewarding career path at NRG Energy by exploring our current hiring opportunities. Tailor your job search to match your career aspirations and skills. Prepare your resume, ace the interview, and join a team that’s committed to making a difference.

Stay Connected

Keep up to date with the latest from NRG Energy: - **Career Insights**: Gain industry-leading insights and read about the latest trends in the energy sector on our careers blog. - **Job Alert Emails**: Customize your subscription to receive job alerts and insider tips that align with your career preferences. At NRG Energy, your career is more than a job—it’s a journey of growth, learning, and leadership. Join us in powering the world’s energy future while building a promising career for yourself. Explore opportunities, embrace our culture, and be part of our mission to lead the energy transition.

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Learn more about NRG Energy
Size
6,635 employees
Market Cap
$7.4 billion
Industry
Net Income
$510 million
Founded
1989
5 Year Trend
+24.8%
Revenue
$9 billion
NASDAQ

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