The Role

The Senior Director, Finance Process and Systems is responsible for leading a team of 6 Finance Analysts that are focused on ensuring the widespread adoption of CN’s global Finance processes and systems, including providing user support and delivering initiatives to drive higher levels of standardisation and improvement in line with overall Finance goals. The role will report to the London-based Executive Director Corporate Finance, Tax and Treasury.

After a multi-year transformation program, CN Finance now operates with a platform of global Finance systems (Workday Finance ERP, Workday Adaptive for Workforce Planning, Oracle EPM, Salesforce Sales Order Management, supplier On Boarding and Kyriba Treasury Management). The organisation is also now structured around clear lines of responsibility for Controlling and Finance Functional Business Partnering. Our Market, Functional and HQ based Controlling and Finance Business Partners are increasingly supported by Finance teams located in Bangalore, India.

Whilst the transformation programme has resulted in a step change improvement to the way Finance operates, there remain further opportunities to standardise and strengthen Finance processes and systems. This is intended to improve control frameworks, enhance process efficiency, maximise cash flow, ensure regulatory compliance and streamline key Finance and reporting and planning activities. Further improvements in the Finance organisation, including looking at opportunities to transfer new activities to other locations and adopt a more process orientated approach to managing the Finance function, including in our Bangalore based Controlling Operations team.

The role will work closely with Finance stakeholders to determine priorities and plans, and with CN’s Technology team who are responsible for maintaining and developing the Workday Finance technical solution, including management of business process configuration, security and integrations.

The ideal candidate combines strong finance skills, systems acumen, analytical skills to drive innovation and efficiency, and program management experience. Based in London, the role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a fast moving iconic global media organisation.

What will you be doing?

Finance User Support and Workday / EPM Systems Administration

In conjunction with CN Technology, provide ongoing support to Workday Finance and EPM users including:

• Perform ‘first pass’ analysis of issues raised by users and determine appropriate ways to resolve, especially at critical times during the month-end / year-end and during budget / planning cycles
• Work collaboratively with CN’s Technology team to support Workday Finance releases and with Oracle on EPM releases, including leading preparation and execution of testing and training prior to deploying new features into production
• Design and build reports and planning outputs required to support all Finance users
• Identify opportunities to improve data quality across systems, including working with Finance stakeholders to ensure the consistent use of charts of accounts and high quality master data across systems

Roadmap Development and Deployment

• Support the development and obtain approval for the roadmap of future enhancements
• Make use of Finance functional and business expertise to gather and analyse information from multiple sources to provide recommendations to achieve business objectives and resolve business issues
• Manage a diverse portfolio of projects from early-stage discovery through implementation and post-delivery optimisation, ensuring that solutions are capable of global adoption and that Market specific requirements are minimized and only reflect Design Authority approved country legal and statutory requirements
• Stay informed on industry trends and advancements e.g. AI and proactively engage with users to identify opportunities to improve processes and systems

Finance Process and System Adoption

• Act as a subject matter expert for all Finance processes and systems, including advising on proper use of Workday and EPM in support of overall business operations
• Develop change management strategies to ensure smooth adoption of new processes and systems
• Develop and deliver user guides and training that empower end users, promoting self-sufficiency and ensuring they have the knowledge needed to effectively navigate CN’s Finance systems
• Evangelise Workday and EPM within Finance and the wider business

Finance Process Analysis

• Leverage business and Finance knowledge to identify opportunities for process optimisation
• Work with Finance users to define and document business requirements
• Determine process flows and documentation as part of initiatives to standardise, streamline and automate Finance activities
• Perform benchmarking activities and support operational KPI development and reporting to track performance against targets and identify improvement opportunities
• Work closely with other Finance system owners (e.g. OMS, CN On Board, Kyriba) and functions (Technology, Procurement, Sales, People function etc) to ensure data, processes and systems are aligned

Team Leadership

• Manage the activities of 6 Analysts currently located in UK, US, Spain and China, setting goals/targets and providing coaching and feedback to develop capabilities and improve performance
• Periodically review activities of the team members to ensure activities are focused on maximising the support provided to users and in delivering initiatives to achieve Finance goals
• Participate in activities that drive the improvement in engagement scores and achieve higher levels of staff performance, career development, and satisfaction

Who you are:

• Strong understanding of Workday Finance ERP and familiarity with EPM applications (ideally Oracle EPM but not essential)
• Significant experience in senior Finance management, consulting, or transformation roles
• Finance qualification preferable, with post-qualification experience across a range of Finance activities
• Proven track record of leading Finance improvement projects across process, technology, and organization
• Excellent skills in process mapping, design, performance measurement and optimisation
• Experience of working in project environments with a delivery focus and awareness of how to ensure change impacts are understood and tactics deployed to achieve high levels of user adoption
• Familiar with working in a large matrix international Media organization, or equivalent
• Comfortable partnering with in-house Technical teams and software vendors as part of business as usual operations and in project delivery
• Strong communication skills, collaborative approach and willingness to engage users to gain support for new ideas and approaches

What benefits do we offer?

• 25 days holiday (plus bank holidays) and extra days of annual leave if you move house or want to volunteer.
• You’ll have access to a competitive pension scheme, Bupa Private Healthcare, Season ticket loans and eye tests.
• We offer a range of tools to support your wellbeing, including core hours, 10 remote days (from home or a country with a Condé Nast office location), access to our Employee Assistance Programme, corporate gym membership and cycle to work scheme.
• We’re a dog friendly office, plus you’ll enjoy discounts and magazine subscriptions, keeping you up to date with all things Condé Nast.
• We encourage personal and professional growth through the Condé Nast Learning Hub where you’ll find an extensive portfolio of learning courses and training, available in local languages.
• Our Employee Resource Groups provide a platform for employees to identify shared objectives, exchange ideas, and work on community priorities for our global workforce.

What happens next?

If you are interested in this opportunity, please apply below, and we will review your application as soon as possible. You can update your resume or upload a cover letter at any time by accessing your candidate profile.

Condé Nast is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, familial status and other legally protected characteristics.