Senior Director, Finance Systems & Process Improvement

The Senior Director, Finance Systems & Process Improvement shapes and leads the strategy for financial systems and process improvement capabilities serving the CEI Finance organization and advises our portfolio companies as needed. The role directs the operation and evolution of our cloud-hosted finance solutions, including OneStream, to improve efficiency, data quality, controls, visibility, and insightful financial reporting.

This leader manages finance-wide initiatives, anticipates evolving business and market needs, applies external and industry perspective, and engages corporate and senior functional leaders to shape priorities, investments, and solutions to complex operational and financial system challenges.

The position leads a team and directs cross-functional transformation through process improvement, automation, governance, change leadership, and measurable value realization.

• Responsible for the OneStream platform, including vendor relationships, enterprise consolidation processes, setting and executing the strategic roadmap for related automations and process transformation, and all internal system configurations.
• Responsible for other cloud-based finance and reporting tools, including vendor relationships, solution implementation (other than cross-functional implementations led by IBT), and internal system configurations and upgrades.
• Develop and oversee data strategy, data management standards, and governance for finance platforms
• Work across the various finance teams and departments to deliver system support and reporting plans that prioritize work in a way that aligns with company goals/objectives.
• Partner with CEI’s technology team to align strategic goals and execute aspects related to framework, architecture, interfaces, security, and complex design elements of Finance software platforms.
• Lead the review of new and emerging finance technologies and provide recommended actions to Finance Leadership to ensure Cox Enterprises is prepared to leverage new technologies and implement best practices.
• Sponsor and advise on financial systems and process strategies for acquisitions and portfolio companies, including scalable approaches for multi-ERP reporting, integration, onboarding, and visibility.

• Lead the finance process improvement, automation and AI strategy and roadmap, ensuring priorities evolve as the company’s strategy, portfolio, and operating needs change.
• Establish approaches for lean process design, standardization, automation, value realization, and change adoption across the Finance Org.  
• Champion finance process transformation that improves productivity, controls, reporting quality, decision support, and organizational effectiveness across the finance organization.
• Direct process redesign from assessment through implementation, including process mapping, business requirements, standardization, controls, testing, change management, and adoption.

• Lead, coach, and develop a team, while building broader capability through cross-functional leadership, influence, and change management.
• Build trusted relationships with corporate and senior leaders and serve as a strategic thought partner on finance systems, process innovation, and organizational priorities.
• Create alignment across stakeholders, functions, portfolio companies, technology partners, and/or vendors to ensure the finance organization’s priorities evolve with the business.

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Information Systems, Technology, or related field (advanced degree preferred).
• 12+ years of progressive experience in Finance, Accounting, financial systems, enterprise applications, business transformation, and/or Finance technology. Candidate can also have 10+ years of experience with an MS degree, or 16 years of equivalent experience in lieu of a degree.
• Finance or Accounting experience is required.
• 7+ years of leadership experience in matrixed organizations.
• Proven track record developing and executing financial systems, reporting, data, automation, or process improvement roadmaps.
• Experience with OneStream, Hyperion, or similar EPM platforms; OneStream strongly preferred.
• Ability to translate complex business needs into prioritized solutions, clear plans, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong executive communication, presentation, facilitation, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills.
• Demonstrated success leading enterprise-wide, cross-functional transformation initiatives.
• Experience influencing senior leaders on strategy, investments, operating models, and major business decisions.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to leverage market trends, emerging technologies, and organizational insights to drive strategy and deliver complex solutions.

• Experience applying Lean, Six Sigma, or comparable continuous improvement methods in Finance or shared services environments.
• Experience supporting M&A integration, portfolio companies, or multi-ERP financial reporting and consolidation environments.
• Experience managing cloud-hosted solution vendors, application budgets, licenses, upgrades, releases, and service performance.
• Experience with workflow automation including AI, financial data architecture, and finance-focused analytics or reporting tools.
• Experience shaping an enterprise capability or operating model in response to significant changes in business strategy, markets, technology, or organizational needs.