Senior Director of Finance

POSITION TITLE:

Senior Director of Finance and Performance Analytics

SUMMARY:

The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis is responsible for leading financial forecasting, budgeting, business analytics and strategic financial planning to support the organization's growth and profitability objectives. This role serves as a key financial business partner to senior management and Operations, providing actionable insights, financial modeling, performance analysis and recommendations that support informed business decisions.

The position will oversee the development and execution of annual budgets, periodic forecasts, long-range financial plans and capital expenditure planning. The role will analyze financial and operational performance, identify trends and risks, evaluate business opportunities and investments, and partner with cross-functional leaders to improve financial results and operational effectiveness.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Works directly with senior management in conducting constructive assessment of operating strategies and results and providing financial guidance and direction on operations.
• Perform financial statement analysis, review and comparison of P & L to operating plans and forecasts. Interface with senior management to review performance, explain and control variances and assist in achievement and tracking of objectives.
• Directly works with management in business and financial planning, forecasting and budgeting.
• Responsible for managing the CAPEX; forecast, budgeting and variance spending analysis.
• Responsible for financial analysis and reporting over operational reporting, advertising/marketing programs, sales, cost of sales, labor, new product analysis, sales mix analysis, return on investment analysis, new store projections, cannibalization and performance against projections and models.
• Coordinate as liaison with Corporate Finance and IT to ensure understanding, communication and support of evolving or changing business requirements that require financial or systems support.
• Identify business issues that may have accounting, tax and legal implications and communicate and involve the appropriate corporate function. Includes review of contracts.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, periodic forecasting cycles and long-range financial planning, ensuring alignment with strategic business objectives.
• Develop and maintain financial models, forecasts and scenario analyses to evaluate business performance, growth opportunities, risks and strategic initiatives.
• Develop and monitor key financial and operational performance indicators and provide regular reporting and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Prepare financial presentations and analysis for senior management, including executive-level reporting on financial performance, forecasts, trends, risks and opportunities.
• Partner with Corporate Finance, Accounting, IT and other functional teams to ensure financial systems, reporting and data support evolving business requirements.
• Lead, develop and mentor Finance/FP&A team members, establishing priorities, performance expectations and accountability while promoting a collaborative and results-oriented culture.

KEY INTERFACES:

Daily interface with senior management, department heads, operations leaders and staff and frequent interface with corporate management.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Excellent communication skills and ability to work alongside senior management and department heads to optimize long term business results.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively manage a team.
• Leverage extensive experience and judgment to plan and accomplish goals.
• A wide degree of creativity and latitude is expected.
• Able to effectively prioritize and exercise good judgment with the highest level of integrity.
• Able to effectively manage decentralized staff and workload.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Requires a Bachelors Degree, preferably in Finance or Business Administration, and at least 10 years of experience, including strategic and results driven leadership, budgeting, forecasting and business analysis. 
• MBA and restaurant or retail industry experience a plus.
• Strong organizational and leadership skills with the ability to effectively delegate tasks with appropriate oversight, to influence decision making with analytical rigor and to contribute to a positive, productive and collaborative culture.
• Experience partnering directly with senior executives and operational leadership to influence business decisions through financial analysis and recommendations.
• Prior experience managing, mentoring or leading finance professionals.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk, or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to handle or feel, and also to reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand and walk.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Temperature controlled restaurant.
• The noise level in the work environment is low to moderate.

EQUIPMENT USED:

Computer, fax, calculator, copier, phone.