National Geographic Society

Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations

Washington, DC Full time

How You’ll Contribute

Reporting to the Vice President, Shared Services and Risk Management, the Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations will play an instrumental role within the Finance team as a key resource for financial and contract management systems. This role will work with Finance leadership to drive operational and technical excellence to optimize current financial data structure to empower world class reporting and analytics by bringing together relevant data to aid in strategic decision-making.

The Sr. Manager Finance Systems Operations will work collaboratively with all areas of the Finance team, as well as with the Finance Business Applications lead in Technology to implement, maintain and optimize systems such as Workday, Adaptive, and Agiloft, including planning, testing, and maintaining system program activities and enhancements.

This role will also identify and develop practical, creative solutions to support Finance’s department goals and alignment to NG Next strategic goals.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Manage and maintain Workday data configurations, workflow, and all integrated data applications to ensure Finance is optimizing the use of system tools (40%):

  • Provide strategic insights and innovative guidance for the Workday Financials portfolio

  • Develop, maintain, and deliver custom Workday and Adaptive reports and dashboards.

  • Work closely with the Business Applications Team and specific Finance staff on regression testing systems, updates and enhancements for all Finance related applications while adhering to defined NGS change management protocols.

  • Maintain data integrity and enforce consistent data mapping across all systems.

  • Identify inter-dependencies and clearly communicate the business process, technical implications, and benefits/risks of proposed systems changes to stakeholders.

  • Proactively evaluate, recommend, and implement AI functionalities and modules in current systems to enhance financial processes.

Act as project manager and subject matter to execute the roadmap to implement AI tools across the finance team to allow for operational efficiencies  (20%):

  • Investigating and implement AI capabilities existing within tools (Workday, Agiloft, etc), working with technology team to assist leadership in creating a strategy to utilize these tools

  • Train finance team on new tools 

  • Investigating and implementing AI capabilities outside core financial platforms that are utilized within the finance arena and work to create a long term roadmap for implementation.  

Partner with application developers, administrators and other teams: (40%)

  • Collaborate with all levels of the organization to gather functional system requirements, troubleshoot issues, and provide recommendations to meet business needs.

  • Develop and implement organizational onboarding, and refresh training modules and job aids to train current and new users within all financial systems.

  • Participate in system-related initiatives or projects as assigned.

What You will Bring

Education Background

Bachelor’s in Finance, Accounting, Economics or Business degree. Relevant experience may also be considered; Advanced Business degree a plus.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

7+ years of professional experience in finance with integrated ERP and Budgeting/Planning systems with the combination of following:

  • Solid experience collaborating positively and proactively in a finance systems function within a complex organization, supporting various divisional needs, is required.

  • Experience supporting system updates and releases is required. Must have an understanding of financial modeling and the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

  • Must have demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects concurrently from inception to completion with limited management supervision, and familiarity with systems implementation and financial data structure configuration.

  • Experience analyzing and documenting business processes is a plus.

  • Experience as a project manager and/or Systems implementation experience, preferred.

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

  • Knowledge of principles, practices and procedures related to nonprofit Finance.

  • Advanced functional knowledge of Workday Financials, including but not limited to: Core Financials, Assets, Taxes, Revenue Management, Customer Accounts, Supplier Accounts, Accounts Payable, Banking & Settlement, Cash Management, and Expenses.

  • Experience using or administering Adaptive Insights or similar financial planning tools.

  • Workday and Adaptive report writing expert, including creating and maintaining financial data structure, building custom reports, creating and managing dashboards, and significant experience creating calculated fields.

  • Strong strategic-thinking skills with an ability to collaborate with team members on best practices.

  • Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills that effectively translate complex business requirements and functional objectives into clear actionable items. 

  • Ability to identify problems, develop solutions and take action to resolve issues in assigned areas of responsibility with an eye for detail, while understanding and managing competing priorities among the various stakeholders.

  • Ability to manage a dynamic workload, quickly adapting to evolving business requirements to ensure assigned planning, reporting, and project deadlines are met consistently.

Supervision

None

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $123,500.00 - $130,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Hybrid - At the Society, we believe in the advantages of coming together to build community, mentor and learn from colleagues, and connect more deeply with our mission. As a result, the majority of our staff are Hybrid. Our Hybrid category requires that staff work at Base Camp two days each week: every Tuesday and Wednesday. Hybrid staff are also always welcome to come in additional days each week if preferred.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.