Senior Anaplan Solution Architect

Lyft • San Francisco, CA

19h • Hybrid

About The Position

Lyft is seeking a Staff-level Anaplan Solution Architect to be the senior individual-contributor technical authority within their Anaplan Center of Excellence (CoE) in Finance Technology. This role is crucial for the architecture, design, and performance of complex Anaplan models, leading the rebuild and evolution of financial planning systems. The architect will work hands-on as the deepest technical expert, setting architectural direction, improving model quality, and mentoring others, operating with autonomy. They will partner with the Anaplan CoE Lead and FP&A stakeholders to translate business requirements into scalable model designs and serve as the go-to expert for architectural decisions on the Anaplan platform.

Requirements

• 8+ years of overall experience in financial systems or IT systems, including significant hands-on Anaplan model-building experience.
• Anaplan Solution Architect certification is mandatory; Master Anaplanner certification is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in complex Anaplan model architecture, performance tuning, and scalability.
• Deep understanding of FP&A concepts and processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting.
• Experience employing agile methodology in the development of software, systems interfaces, and application configurations.
• Proven ability to independently drive complex technical initiatives from idea to execution with minimal oversight.
• Strong communicator who can clearly articulate complex architectural concepts to both technical and non-technical, business-side audiences.
• Proven ability to partner with finance stakeholders (FP&A analysts, treasury, tax, billing) to understand and prioritize business systems needs.
• Strategic, organized, and stakeholder-savvy, with the judgment to operate with significant autonomy in setting technical direction.
• Experience managing multiple parallel builds while maintaining architectural consistency.
• Strong relationship-building skills, fostering collaboration and trust across teams and departments.

Nice To Haves

• Exposure to advanced Anaplan technology, specifically Anaplan Polaris, Co-Modeler, and Agent Studio.
• Background in accounting or finance (CPA is a plus).
• Experience contributing to a team's transition from reliance on external consultants toward robust internal ownership.
• Experience with upstream systems such as Oracle ERP/FCCS, Workday, Redshift, Trino, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Hold subject matter expertise and a comprehensive understanding of the Anaplan platform, driving architectural design for all models and integrations within scope, including Polaris-based models, IFP, and the Financial Consolidation App.
• Independently identify problems and goals, developing and executing solutions for complex, large-scale Anaplan rebuilds and enhancement initiatives.
• Define and evolve model architecture standards, performance tuning practices, and scalability patterns, ensuring designs support business continuity and long-term resilience.
• Serve as the technical leader for large, complex model builds, driving them from concept through execution while collaborating cross-functionally to meet business and technical needs.
• Conduct architecture reviews and technical system audits, ensuring compliance with governance standards such as naming conventions, ALM practices, and the DISCO framework.
• Oversee cyclical FP&A operations — including month-end, forecasting, and model rollover activities — from a technical design and reliability perspective.
• Coordinate design, development, and testing activities for complex model changes, ensuring high-quality, well-documented outcomes.
• Act as a core technical partner for FP&A, Accounting, and other business stakeholders, ensuring Anaplan systems align with long-term planning objectives.
• Translate ambiguous or unstructured business problems into clearly defined technical requirements and detailed implementation plans.
• Foster strong relationships with Anaplan and adjacent system vendors, representing the best interests of the CoE and the broader organization.
• Identify actionable optimization and efficiency opportunities, contributing to the continuous improvement of Anaplan applications and processes.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor and mentor to other Anaplan model builders, including FTE and contractor resources, raising the team's overall technical capability.
• Support the team's transition from a consultant-led model to an FTE-led internal capability by establishing and reinforcing internal best practices and standardization across builds.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to propose and implement solutions, breaking down silos and enhancing team efficiency.
• Uphold strict and consistent standards of process and model documentation across the team's work.

Benefits

• Great medical, dental, and vision insurance options with additional programs available when enrolled
• Mental health benefits
• Family building benefits
• Child care and pet benefits
• 401(k) plan with company match to help save for your future
• In addition to 12 observed holidays, salaried team members have discretionary paid time off, hourly team members have 15 days paid time off
• 18 weeks of paid parental leave. Biological, adoptive, and foster parents are all eligible
• Subsidized commuter benefits
• Monthly Lyft credits and complimentary Lyft Pink membership

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed