Job Summary:

The Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire through September 30th, 2027

About the Role & Team

The Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire (through 9/30/2027) plays a critical leadership role in the strategic implementation, support, and optimization of financial planning platforms, primarily IBM Cognos/TM1, across the Disney Entertainment, Sports, and Corporate segments. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, adherence to SLAs, and the enablement of accurate and efficient planning cycles.

What You Will Do

As a key liaison between Finance, Technology, and Business stakeholders, this role drives alignment between system capabilities and business needs, ensures compliance with governance and SOX standards, and oversees system testing, training, and enhancement prioritization. The role also supports downstream data integration with other reporting systems to ensure consistency and accuracy across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

Oversee Disney Service Provider delivery of support activitiesSupervise and enhance support functions to ensure high service quality, fast issue resolution, and SLA compliancePrioritize and deliver system enhancements based on strategic value and business impactCollaborate with stakeholders and IT to align technology with evolving business needsEnsure compliance with company policies, SOX, and industry standards to safeguard financial dataOversee functional system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoptionEnablement of financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP), including tool readiness and process controls

Strategy

Maintains an objective financial perspective while considering broader organizational implicationsDifferentiates between symptoms and root causes to identify meaningful opportunities for system and process improvements

Project Management

Leads medium to large-scale segment projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and system capabilitiesOversees the identification and resolution of functional, operational, and organizational challenges throughout the project lifecycleOversees the design, planning, and execution of finance system initiatives, including upgrades and enhancementsEnsures system functionality support evolving business requirements

Leadership

Manages Disney Service Provider team and process owners to maintain overall process effectiveness and drive innovationProvides guidance and support to ensure successful delivery of complex tasks and initiatives

Process Support & Governance

Applies expert knowledge of financial systems to support compliance and operational integrityOversees governance and ensures adherence to company policiesProactively troubleshoots issues and drives resolution to maintain system reliability and data accuracyOversees Service Provider Team to ensure timely and effective delivery of support services to finance users

Communication

Maintains enterprise-wide professional networks to support cross-functional collaborationLeads brainstorming and planning sessions to address significant issues and align on strategic solutionsMaintains clear and consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment

Required Qualifications & Skills

5+ years of management experience in Finance or Accounting, ideally within a large SAP environment5+ years of experience with enterprise financial planning systems (e.g., Cognos/TM1)Proficient in BI/reporting tools such as SAP BW, HANA, Tableau, Hyperion Essbase, or PAfE/PAXStrong background in service delivery and customer support within high-performing organizationsExperience managing budgets, resources, and adapting to shifting business prioritiesSolid understanding system controls, financial governance, and SOX complianceExcellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skillsFinancial Systems Expertise – Deep knowledge of Cognos/TM1 or similar financial planning platforms, with experience in implementation, support, and optimizationStrategic Project Leadership – Proven ability to lead complex system initiatives and manage financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP) with a focus on business impactCross-Functional Collaboration – Strong partnership skills with Finance, Technology, and Business teams to ensure alignment between system capabilities and evolving needsGovernance & Compliance – Solid understanding of SOX and financial data governance, with a track record of ensuring compliance across systems and processesService Delivery Management – Experience managing support functions, driving SLAadherence, and delivering high-quality issue resolutionTesting & Training Oversight – Skilled in overseeing system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoptionData Integration & Accuracy – Familiarity with downstream reporting systems and data flows to maintain consistency and accuracy across platformsAnalytical Thinking – Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business requirements into scalable system solutionsEffective Communication – Clear and confident communicator with the ability to influence decisions and present to senior leadershipAdaptability & Initiative – Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and driving continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications

Experience leading managers / supervisors and managing vendor service providersExpertise with complex integrated financial planning models that consists of labor / headcount, overhead, and P&LKnowledge of GL based financial consolidation, eliminations, and reporting for quarter closesExperience in using SAP or another ERPExperience in using Cognos reporting tools, Business Objects, and/or TableauExperience using systems designed to manage issues, changes and testing (e.g. Service Now, qTest, ALM, Rational Team Concert)CPA or CMA license, or equivalentProject Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)Six Sigma certification

Education

Minimum Required

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or related field

Preferred

Graduate Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems or relevant advanced degree preferred
The hiring range for this position in Burbank, California is $137,100.00 to $167,500.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.