Senior Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

What You'll Do

The Senior Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (SD, FP&A) will provide best-in-class financial analysis and support for ProPublica's $65M+ annual budget. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, the SD will provide critical financial analysis and planning, financial education, and strategic support to cross-functional partners across the organization. This individual will be responsible for supporting departments and team members with respect to budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, analysis, growth planning, and mission-critical projects.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Organization Budget & Forecasting

• Own the annual organizational and department operating budget process
• Track and report on performance relative to plan
• Prepare rolling forecast updates
• Conduct departmental budget meetings, discussing projections against actuals to ensure fiscal accountability
• Create Board book materials that showcase grant budgeting and overall financial position

Financial Metrics & Complex Modeling

• Build and iterate on complex financial models covering all aspects of ProPublica's operations to enable effective decision making regarding growth strategy, cost structure, and capital expenditures
• Modeling projects include, but are not limited to:
  • Multi-year budgets and strategic plans
  • Compensation and possible benefits changes, such as healthcare costs and alternative benefit structures
  • Large scale expansion and capital expenditure/depreciation
  • Union scenarios for bargaining
• Establish, track, and monitor key operating metrics used to drive the organization to greater efficiency
• Create ad-hoc analyses to drive organizational strategy, improve efficiency, and maximize impact

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting to Leadership

• Partner closely with key stakeholders across the organization and drive the FP&A function as a proven center of excellence to support financial discipline and data-based decision making
• Provide critical insights for ongoing high-priority processes including grant budgeting, compensation and total rewards analysis, and union bargaining

Who You'll Work With

• You will report to the Chief Financial and Administrative Officer.
• You will frequently collaborate with the Vice President, Accounting & Controls, as well as stakeholders in Development, on grant budgeting and related forecasting. You will also interface frequently with departmental leadership for ongoing departmental budgeting and long term strategic planning.

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience, with significant experience in finance and strategic analysis
• Significant experience working in the FP&A function within a large and complex organization (> $50 million in revenues)
• Ability to think both big picture and identify critical project components while also maintaining a high level of detail and accuracy in building models and organization/presentation of data from the ground up
• Demonstrates high proficiency in financial analysis and model building, particularly under quick-turnaround situations. Strong Excel skills are a must
• Experience developing and leading annual budgeting processes with multiple stakeholders, preferably in unionized environments
• Proven track record of implementing or improving financial reporting systems; experience with existing systems. Experience with Sage Intacct required, Paylocity and Expensify preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to translate complex financial concepts to individuals at all levels, including finance and non-finance managers
• Strong interpersonal communication skills; brings the ability to work effectively with cross-functional partners
• Ability to thrive in and be energized by a high-growth, dynamic work environment
• Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of ProPublica

We know there are great candidates who may not fit into what we've described above or who have important skills we haven't thought of. If that's you, don't hesitate to apply and tell us about yourself.

Location and Work Environment

This is a hybrid position based out of ProPublica's headquarters, located at 155 6th Avenue, New York, NY, 10013. Candidates must commit to working in office at least 2 days a week (subject to change). Regular travel is unlikely and is expected to be 10% or less.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $150,000 to $175,000. This is a good-faith estimate of what we expect to pay for this position. The final salary figure will take into account a person's experience, accomplishment and location. ProPublica is committed to paying its staff equitably, and these ranges should not be considered career salary limits or caps.

To Learn More About Benefits

This job is full time and includes benefits (see detailed list here).

ProPublica is dedicated to improving its newsroom, in part by better reflecting the people the organization covers. (Here is a breakdown of our staff.) We are committed to diversity and building an inclusive environment for people of all backgrounds and ages. And we are taking steps to meet that commitment. We especially encourage members of traditionally underrepresented communities to apply, including women, people of color, LGBTQ+ people and people with disabilities. We are an equal opportunity employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or any other status protected under applicable law.