Manager, Strategy & Operations (Finance)

Activision Blizzard • Santa Monica, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

As Manager, Strategy & Operations (Finance), you will own and lead the financial governance and operational planning function across AP Global Marketing. This role is accountable for driving organizational performance, financial stewardship, and operational rigor across key marketing investment initiatives. You will serve as the functional owner of annual planning processes, vendor and agency governance frameworks, cross-functional investment alignment, and capability forecasting. This role exists to ensure continuity, discipline, and strategic execution across high-impact marketing initiatives. This role is based in our Santa Monica, California office and follows an onsite work schedule of four days per week. Work arrangements may evolve to meet business needs. As we continue to drive cost efficiency and improve operating income, you will translate strategy into actionable financial and operational plans, establishing clear structures that guide investment decisions. You will partner closely with Marketing Finance, Accounting, Legal, and International Finance teams to ensure marketing investments are governed, prioritized, and aligned to business objectives. Without this role, the organization risks fragmentation across planning, spend governance, and cross-functional coordination. Your leadership will ensure quality, consistency, and accountability in how we plan, allocate, and optimize marketing investments.

Requirements

• 6–8+ years of experience in finance, strategy, consulting, or operations, including demonstrated ownership of cross-functional planning cycles, governance programs, or investment management initiatives
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, Economics, or related field
• Experience leading financial planning cycles, governance programs, or cross-functional operational initiatives
• Strong analytical and modeling skills with the ability to translate data into structured decision frameworks
• Proven ability to manage complex, matrixed stakeholder environments and drive alignment without formal authority
• Excellent communication skills with experience presenting to senior leadership

Nice To Haves

• Experience in media, entertainment, technology, or gaming
• Background designing vendor or agency governance models
• Experience driving cost optimization or operating income improvement initiatives
• MBA or advanced degree in a relevant field
• Experience implementing automation or AI-enabled workflow solutions

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end accounts payable governance model for AP Global Marketing teams, ensuring timely invoice processing, financial accuracy, and operational continuity
• Establish and oversee purchase order governance and approval workflows, ensuring alignment between spend, planning assumptions, and budget allocation
• Serve as functional owner of vendor and agency governance frameworks, including spend oversight, performance tracking, and continuous process optimization
• Lead cross-functional alignment of budget allocation against strategic marketing priorities and growth initiatives
• Own capability planning and resource forecasting models to ensure the organization is structured and funded to scale effectively
• Establish and maintain reporting dashboards, business reviews, and governance cadences that improve transparency, decision-making, and financial accountability
• Identify and implement operational improvements, including automation and AI-enabled workflows, to improve efficiency and reduce cost leakage
• Maintain continuity across global coordination efforts to ensure consistent planning standards and disciplined investment execution
• You will operate as both a strategic thought partner and the accountable functional leader for marketing financial governance—comfortable moving between executive-level insights and detailed operational oversight.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, health savings account or health reimbursement account, healthcare spending accounts, dependent care spending accounts, life and AD&D insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) with Company match, tuition reimbursement, charitable donation matching
• Paid holidays and vacation, paid sick time, floating holidays, compassion and bereavement leaves, parental leave
• Mental health & wellbeing programs, fitness programs, free and discounted games, and a variety of other voluntary benefit programs like supplemental life & disability, legal service, ID protection, rental insurance, and others
• If the Company requires that you move geographic locations for the job, then you may also be eligible for relocation assistance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager