Financial Planning & Analysis Manager, Licensing

Ralph Lauren Retail • Nutley, NJ

152d • $65,000 - $129,225

About The Position

Ralph Lauren is seeking an ambitious and highly analytical person to join the Corporate Lifestyle and Licensing FP&A team. This individual will be a key partner to global divisions supporting Licensing and will serve as primary financial liaison between Licensing leaders, the business and Accounting teams. The responsibilities will include monthly financial analyses and reporting, forecasting and cost management & optimization, annual planning, finance operational oversight, ad hoc business analyses, and driving initiatives in support of the fiscal year strategic operating plan. The role will be focused on licensing but may be required to support on other ad hoc areas of the Lifestyle FP&A business, as required. The ideal candidate is a proactive financial professional with strong interpersonal and organizational navigation skills, who possesses the ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively to manage and deliver priorities accurately, on-time, and with a high- degree of analytical proficiency and integrity. This position requires a strong foundational knowledge of finance and accounting and demonstrated experience supporting financial planning activities and delivering fact-based recommendations to multiple stakeholders throughout an organization. Prior FP&A experience supporting retail business functions is strongly preferred.

Requirements

• Minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, reporting and performance management, preferably within the retail apparel industry.
• Strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Expert financial planning and modeling skills.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; including the ability to provide written and verbal direction effectively, up, down and across an organization.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including deadline-sensitive priorities.
• Flexibility in adjusting and reprioritizing to meet the changing needs in a fast-paced work environment.
• Team player with strong work ethic & drive for results, able to effectively collaborate & partner with internal stakeholders with an Enterprise mindset.
• Experience with Hyperion Essbase and SAP.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Act as key financial partner and advisor to the Licensing leadership team.
• Support strategic decision-making and proactively identify areas of opportunity and risk and mitigating actions.
• Oversee/manage monthly close, forecasting, and reporting objectives for supported divisions (i.e., Licensing).
• Analyze operating results vs forecast, plan and prior year (variance analyses); compile deliverables per monthly timelines.
• Manage month-end close process which includes journal prep, accruals, collecting supporting documentation, variance analysis, and reporting prep for executive review.
• Develop strong relationships with the leaders of licensing, meeting regularly to ensure financial targets are achieved and to manage and forecast risks and opportunities.
• Monitor and control costs, proactively reviewing, identifying and implementing expense optimization initiatives.
• Build detailed financial models and forecasts to support short-term and long-term strategic planning.
• Partner with Business teams to align on inputs and key drivers for monthly close and forecast activities.
• Preparation of deliverables for quarterly Corporate/Global reports, Business reviews and budget reviews.
• Perform ad hoc analyses, reports and presentations; make recommendations to Corporate, Business and Finance partners.
• Partner with Corporate and Business leads teams to develop short- and long-term financial Plans.
• Perform operational analyses for budget presentation, including historical reviews, industry benchmarking, etc.
• Ensure teams are following appropriate Corporate and Financial policies/processes.
• Analyze existing processes and identify process improvement opportunities.
• Build and enhance Finance Licensing reporting, leveraging automation and AI where relevant.

Benefits

• Robust benefits package.
• Above-market time off.
• Flexible working arrangements.
• Incentive compensation, where applicable.
• Varied learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Industry: Clothing, Clothing Accessories, Shoe, and Jewelry Retailers
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree