Manager, Retail Business Planning

Job Summary

The Manager, Retail Business Planning will be responsible for the oversight of recurring process oriented activities including monthly & quarterly reporting & analysis, invoicing, and related ad-hoc projects in support of Retail Budget Owners.  This position reports directly to the AVP, Retail Business Planning and will operate with a bias towards a holistic & consistent cadence of support that optimizes the speed & quality of data-driven insight for Retail Budget Center Owners.  This role will manage and work alongside a small team that supports all functional areas of Retail Markets. 

This individual will have a strong understanding of the Retail business, leveraging cross-functional data and insights to aid decision making, as well as identifying & leading efforts to standardize, enhance, and automate processes and reporting. 

This role requires the ability to build strong relationships with business stakeholders & leaders across Retail, HR, and Finance teams and provide subject matter expertise related to Sales, Expense, Staffing & Projects.  The Manager will ensure greater awareness & alignment in support of the broader goals of the Planning & Profitability team and the overall Retail Markets strategic and financial plan.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Ability to objectively challenge and influence Retail Budget Center Owners to ensure processes and activities are geared for optimal net income and profitability performance
• Leads Retail, in partnership with Finance, through cyclical processes (annual planning, target-setting, budget-setting, forecasting and financial reporting) and strategy-based processes (strategic initiatives, multi-year planning and capital planning)
• Facilitates building out new processes in Retail through partnerships with Finance
• Conduct targeted analyses on high-priority topics and initiatives to support the Retail Business financial and operational execution to Retail strategies and goals. Leverages scenario modeling to consider future outcomes to inform the Retail Business Unit strategy and planning
• Analyzes and interprets information in sophisticated and audience appropriate ways; helps tell the Retail financial and strategic story
• Analyze and maintain Retail driver-based expense and forecast models, including headcount tracking and forecasts, to illustrate impact and return of near-term and longer-term strategic goals within the Retail portfolio; Work with stakeholders and utilize benefit outcome analysis to recommend optimal investment mix to maximize Retail expenses & portfolio value
• Analyze underlying information trends to inform business and financial forecasts
• Analyze operational and behavioral metrics to support business decisions

Experience and Education Requirements

• BA/BS in Economics, Finance or similar discipline with analytical bias
• Financial Services knowledge; insurance industry preferred
• 7+ years’ experience in a corporate finance / FP&A / Expense Modeling environment with heavy emphasis on analytics
• Strong background in finance, with considerable analytical skills and the ability to take raw data, analyze it and present it to management to aid in the decision-making process across key areas of business
• Strong knowledge of financial modeling & reporting
• Strong knowledge of modeling & reporting via Excel, PowerPoint, SQL, Smartview, and Onestream
• Experience supporting strategic and financial initiatives

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong communication, organization and interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• A passion for new challenges, leadership and delivering results
• Strong intuitive and analytical skills; ability to think ahead and support strategic and financial planning
• Ability to successfully manage relationships across all levels and provide strong consultative partnership
• Strong organizational and prioritization skills
• Engaged by a dynamic work environment where empowerment, collaboration and innovation are encouraged
• Authentic team member who is transparent with others regarding decisions made and delivers on commitments
• Ability to handle multiple complex tasks and prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to exude confidence and credibility as a leader; inspires confidence and respect; demonstrates assertiveness and projects and professional image
• Demonstrates decisiveness, shows the courage to confront, challenge and assist important issues and tough decisions, even in ambiguous circumstances
• Demonstrates commitment to personal and professional development by seeking feedback, remaining open to criticism and working through a personal development plan; demonstrates an openness to change and actively leads change
• Ability to support the vision with effective long-term strategic and financial plans
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)

Other Requirements

• Perform other functions, duties and projects as assigned
• Regular and punctual attendance
• Some travel may be required (less than 10%)

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