Lead Finance Analyst, Capital Planning

Magnolia Springs Southpointe•Des Moines, IA

12h•$85,000 - $106,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Lead Finance Analyst, Capital Planning is responsible for leading key components of the capital planning and reporting process for assigned portfolios, projects, or stakeholder groups. This role serves as a primary analytical partner on capital spend, project performance, and investment reporting, and is expected to drive process improvements, provide insight to decision-makers, and mentor less experienced team members. This role performs work under minimal supervision and handles complex issues and problems, referring only the most complex issues to higher-level staff.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Analytics, Economics, or a related field; or equivalent years of experience
4–6 years of experience in accounting, financial analysis, FP&A, analytics, capital planning, or other capital-focused roles.
Advanced Excel, reporting, and analytical skills, with strong experience building models and interpreting complex financial data.
Strong understanding of financial statements, planning processes, capital accounting, and asset or project performance drivers.
Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities, solve problems independently, and improve processes.
Effective communication skills with the ability to explain analysis and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
Ability to work collaboratively, exercise strong professional judgment, and operate with a high degree of accountability.
Possesses comprehensive knowledge of subject matter.

Responsibilities

Own major portions of the capital planning cycle for assigned business areas, including capital budget development, forecast updates, reporting deliverables, and financial analysis.
Lead preparation of capital dashboards, project summaries, and management reporting packages that communicate spend trends, project status, investment pacing, and emerging risks.
Perform complex variance analysis on capital budgets, project spend, M&R activity, and asset-related costs, translating financial data into actionable insights and recommendations.
Build, maintain, and refine analytical models related to capital deployment, project timing, asset replacement trends, funding patterns, and investment effectiveness.
Partner directly with finance leaders, operations partners, and project stakeholders to review assumptions, evaluate capital requests, and align financial plans with operational priorities.
Oversee project accounting support for development, expansion, and remodel activity, including monitoring spend, reviewing funding or draw activity, and ensuring proper accounting treatment.
Review and approve reconciliations, schedules, and supporting analyses for capital accounts and project activity to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with internal standards.
Lead capital close support activities, ensuring deadlines are met and issues are identified, researched, and resolved in a timely manner.
Evaluate vendor contracts, spend patterns, and asset performance data to support cost management, investment prioritization, and long-term planning.
Manage and improve insurance and casualty claim tracking, accounting support, and financial reporting processes related to capital events and recoveries.
Identify and implement improvements to capital reporting tools, data structures, process controls, and workflow coordination across the team.
Serve as a resource and mentor to analysts and senior analysts by reviewing work, sharing best practices, and helping develop technical and business knowledge.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.