Information Technology - Solutions Architect/EPM Lead

Job Title: Solutions Architect/EPM Lead
Work Location: Chicago, IL or Willing to travel to Chicago on Regular Basis
Duration of Assignment: 6+ Months
Pay Rate Range: $80.00-$90.00/hr on W2
Job Description:
This role will work closely with the Chief Accounting Officer & Corporate Controller, VP Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), Chief Information Officer and Chief Financial Officers of our business segments.
Looking for an EPM lead that can effectively help client manage plans for EPM transformation and the current EPM landscape. Business/Solution architecture mindset vs. developer. Must be willing to travel to Chicago on regular basis .
Position Responsibilities
• Work with Senior Leadership Team and Financial Leadership Team to understand the company’s vision and strategy and develop integrated EPM vision and strategies that are aligned with overall strategic initiatives and financial objectives
o Facilitate the establishment of daily, weekly and monthly reporting requirements
o Give significant input to the development of company enterprise structure required to achieve reporting requirements and coordinate with finance and IT resources towards implementation of a transaction systems all the way through EPM reporting systems
o Participate in the selection and configuration of EPM reporting tools consisting of 1) Actual Consolidation, 2) Planning and Forecasting, 3) Workforce Planning, 4) Long Range Planning (3 to 5 years), 5) Integrated Management Reporting and 6) External / SEC Reporting among others [tools currently being implemented are Tagetik and SAP’s SAC]
o Create the vision and strategies for actual, plan / forecast and long range planning reporting
o Establish financial standard reports to assure “one version of the truth”
o Create and govern required reporting Master Data Management (MDM) Change Control processes (for entities, profit centers, cost centers, chart of accounts, standard reporting formats among others) as part of the Enterprise Master Data Governance program.
• Establish links between various transformation initiatives and business strategies using methods/approaches such as capability assessment, business/financial analysis, process management and re-design, organizational assessment and stakeholder management
• Contribute with financial specific expertise in establishing governance program conducted by the Master Core Data Team.
• Support acquisition integration efforts by developing/enhancing playbook activities and repeatable processes for efficient and timely integration of financial data
• Provide direct oversight for the management and prioritization of key projects and milestones. Responsible for overall project/program quality assurance
• Provide thought leadership to ensure program objectives are achieved and stakeholders are aligned
• Work directly with key stakeholders and business partners to drive improvements in core financial processes such as close/consolidations; planning, budgeting and forecasting; and management reporting
• Foster continuous improvement mindset to drive change, improve access to critical information and enhance decision support capabilities across finance
Position Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree, MBA preferred
• 10+ years of effectively leading large, complex programs with significant change impact across organizations, preferably in finance
• Ability to think strategically to develop innovative business solutions that are forward thinking and growth oriented
• Deep experience with developing the requirements for implementation of technology/tools as an enabler of financial processes (EPM)
• Strong change management and analytical problem solving skills
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to drive programs independently
• 10+ years working in a senior level leadership capacity; mix of corporate and consulting experience is a plus
• Expert knowledge of financial and strategic planning processes
• Demonstrated ability to manage risk and governance for multi-work stream programs
• Ability to collaborate, influence and drive difficult decisions among business partners
• Strong understanding of business process mapping; application of these principles and experience in driving continuous improvement and solving complex business issues
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills