Finance Operations & Innovation Manager

California Endowment•Los Angeles, CA

9h•$134,298 - $201,448•Hybrid

About The Position

The Finance Operations & Innovation Manager is responsible for advancing the effectiveness, efficiency, scalability, and continuous improvement of the Finance function through process optimization, technology enablement, responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI), systems strategy, and strong project management. Reporting to the Vice President, Finance, this position serves as a strategic and hands-on partner across Finance, identifying opportunities to simplify and improve processes, strengthen data quality and reporting, reduce manual effort, enhance internal controls, and leverage technology to support more effective decision-making and service delivery. The Finance Operations & Innovation Manager owns the Finance continuous improvement, technology, automation, and innovation roadmap and leads initiatives from opportunity identification through implementation, adoption, and measurement. The position partners closely with Finance functional leaders while respecting their ownership of day-to-day operations, accounting decisions, controls, and staff management. This role also supervises a Finance Systems team member and provides leadership for Finance systems, automation, reporting, and technology-enabled improvements. This is an ongoing operational excellence and innovation role rather than a time-limited transformation position. As Finance processes, technologies, and organizational needs evolve, the position continuously identifies, prioritizes, and implements opportunities to improve how the Finance function operates and delivers value across the enterprise.

Requirements

Five to seven years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, finance operations, business process improvement, project management, or a related field.
Bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, information systems, or a related field is equivalent to 4 years of relevant experience.
Strong understanding of Finance and/or accounting processes and the ability to translate operational needs into practical solutions.
Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects from planning through implementation and adoption.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively across functions and with stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project-management skills.
Ability to evaluate complex processes, identify root causes, and develop practical solutions.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
Strong proficiency with business and productivity technology and an interest in applying emerging technologies to Finance operations.

Nice To Haves

Experience with Sage Intacct, Bill.com, Power BI, and Concur
Experience using AI or automation tools in a business or Finance environment.
Experience with process mapping, continuous improvement, Lean, Six Sigma, or similar methodologies.
Formal project-management experience or certification desired but not required.
Experience facilitating process improvement initiatives and driving organizational change or technology adoption.
Experience evaluating, implementing, or optimizing business systems, technology solutions, automation tools, or reporting platforms.
Accounting experience or professional accounting designation.
CPA, Active Status
Comfort operating in a changing environment, managing multiple priorities, and remaining calm and organized under pressure.
Commitment to TCE’s mission, TCE+ principles, equity, learning, and cross-organizational partnership.

Responsibilities

Develops and maintains a continuous improvement roadmap aligned with departmental and organizational priorities.
Assesses existing Finance processes, workflows, and service delivery models to identify opportunities to improve data quality, accessibility, efficiency, effectiveness, consistency, scalability, governance, and user experience.
Partners with Finance process owners to redesign and streamline workflows, reporting, and analysis while maintaining appropriate controls and accountability.
Identifies opportunities to eliminate redundant activities, recurring reporting, reduce manual work, simplify processes, and improve handoffs between teams.
Facilitates process-mapping, workflow redesign, and continuous improvement sessions with Finance staff and cross-functional partners.
Establishes baseline measures and evaluates the impact of process improvements, including reductions in processing time, manual effort, errors, and other operational metrics.
Develops and maintains process documentation, workflows, standard operating procedures, and other knowledge resources that support sustainable operations and organizational learning.
Supports the development and enhancement of dashboards, management reporting, analytics, and decision-support tools.
Develops and maintains a Finance technology, systems, automation, and AI roadmap aligned with departmental priorities and organizational needs.
Serves as a strategic partner in the evaluation, optimization, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of Finance technologies, applications, and reporting solutions.
Identifies opportunities to leverage automation, workflow tools, reporting capabilities, and emerging technologies to improve operational effectiveness.
Translates business needs into process, data, reporting, and technology requirements and partners with technical resources to design and implement solutions.
Evaluates potential technology solutions in partnership with Finance, IT, Legal, and other stakeholders as appropriate.
Designs, tests, implements, and continuously improves automated workflows and technology-enabled processes.
Serves as a Finance subject-matter resource for the responsible adoption and use of AI and emerging technologies.
Establishes and maintains appropriate practices, governance, documentation, and controls for the use of AI within Finance.
Supports adoption of new technology through training, documentation, communication, and change-management activities.
In partnership with Finance leadership, establishes priorities and work plans for Finance systems, reporting, automation, and process improvement initiatives.
Provides leadership and direction for Finance technology enhancements, integrations, reporting solutions, and automation opportunities.
Monitors system performance, enhancement opportunities, risks, and future needs and makes recommendations to Finance leadership.
Leads, mentors, and develops direct report, fostering accountability, knowledge sharing, innovation and continuous learning.
Establishes clear strategic goals and performance expectations and conducts performance reviews for direct reports.
Provides ongoing performance management by providing guidance, clear and consistent feedback, and supporting opportunities for learning and development for staff.
Provides project and program management leadership for strategic, operational and cross-functional initiatives.
Develops project plans defining objectives, scope, milestones, responsibilities, dependencies, risks, resources and expected outcomes.
Coordinates stakeholders across Finance and other departments to advance initiatives, facilitate meetings, document decisions, track action items, and ensure appropriate follow-through.
Establishes clear project governance, decision-making processes, accountability structures, and implementation plans.
Monitors project timelines, risks, issues, dependencies, and deliverables and communicates progress to Finance leadership.
Supports technology implementations, process redesign initiatives, system enhancements, and operational improvement projects form planning through adoption.
Develops repeatable project-management practices and tools that strengthen the Finance team's ability to successfully execute initiatives.
Manages multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining visibility into resource requirements, timelines and competing demands.
Develops implementation and change-management approaches that encourage successful adoption of new processes, systems, and technologies.
Establishes mechanisms for Finance staff and organizational partners to identify and recommend future improvement opportunities.
Develops training, documentation, communications, and support resources that enable employees to effectively use new tools and processes.
Promotes a culture of continuous improvement, experimentation, learning, and responsible innovation within Finance.
Builds organizational understanding and capability related to Finance technologies, process improvement, automation, and AI.
Creates opportunities to strengthen Finance team capabilities in technology adoption, systems thinking, process improvement, project management, and innovation.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Shared medical and dental premiums for employees and eligible dependents
100% employer-paid benefits: vision, life and AD&D, STD, LTD and employee assistance program
Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Reimbursement towards gym fees and/or wellness program and mental health care
9-80 schedule with synchronized off days
Hybrid work schedule available for most positions
11 paid holidays + paid winter holiday closure
Generous paid time off (PTO)
401k plan with generous employer match and contributions
Matching gifts program
Paid parking or public transportation subsidy
Professional development and training opportunities
Tuition Reimbursement Program
Monthly BYOD stipend