SAP Finance and Control Lead

Wiley Global Technology • Hoboken, NJ

10d

About The Position

Wiley is seeking an experienced SAP FI Functional Lead to lead the Finance workstream across its ECC Consolidation and S/4HANA Migration programs. This high-visibility role sits at the intersection of Finance, Technology, and Innovation and serves as the primary functional authority for SAP Finance. The lead works directly with Wiley executive and business leadership, system integrators, and vendor technology partners to translate business requirements into scalable solutions and deliver the Finance transformation.

The role also leads evaluation and integration of emerging SAP AI capabilities, including SAP Business AI, Joule, and intelligent features embedded in S/4HANA. It covers end-to-end FI delivery, solution architecture and quality, stakeholder and vendor engagement, cross-functional coordination, and leadership and development of SAP FI consultants and Business Analysts. The role is expected to promote responsible AI adoption, business readiness, user adoption, and sustained value realization.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of hands-on SAP FI functional experience across multiple full-lifecycle implementations.
• At least three full ECC or S/4HANA implementations (Greenfield, Brownfield, or Selective Data Transition), including at least one as a Finance Functional Lead.
• Experience on large-scale ECC consolidation or systems rationalization programs, ideally in global, multi-entity environments.
• Experience in global organizations with complex Finance operating models, including multi-currency, multi-GAAP, and intercompany operations.
• Demonstrated experience working with C-level executives, Finance Controllers, and Shared Services leadership on technology-enabled Finance transformation.
• Experience managing and holding system integrator and vendor partners accountable within program governance.
• Deep S/4HANA Finance expertise, including Universal Journal, New Asset Accounting, Central Finance, Group Reporting, Multi-Ledger, and Advanced Payment Management.
• Configuration proficiency in General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Asset Accounting, Bank Communication Management, and Electronic Bank Statement.
• Experience with SAP Fiori Finance applications and Fiori-based process redesign.
• Understanding of SAP integration patterns, including IDocs, BAPIs, ALE, and SAP Integration Suite (formerly CPI).
• Familiarity with SAP BTP, particularly BTP Integration Suite, BTP Analytics, and AI/ML services.
• Proficiency with SAP migration tools, including S/4HANA Migration Cockpit and Readiness Check, and third-party ETL tooling.
• Working knowledge of SAP GRC, segregation-of-duties management, and S/4HANA Finance audit-trail requirements.
• Practical experience implementing SAP Business AI or Joule use cases in Finance.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts for financial processes, including anomaly detection, predictive close, intelligent document processing, and cash application automation.
• Experience with robotic process automation for Finance, such as SAP Build Process Automation, UiPath, Automation Anywhere, or equivalent.
• Understanding of generative AI application patterns and the ability to translate them into Finance-relevant use cases.
• Strategic thinking and ability to translate Finance strategy into actionable SAP solutions while managing detail.
• Executive communication skills, including explaining complex technical topics in business language to senior stakeholders.
• Ability to influence without authority and drive decisions across matrix organizations, vendors, and business functions.
• Track record of on-time, on-budget delivery and ability to manage competing priorities and ambiguity.
• Strong stakeholder management, early risk communication, problem-solving, and collaboration skills.
• Innovation mindset and ability to identify opportunities to use SAP and AI capabilities for Finance transformation.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in the Media, Publishing, or Information Services industry, with understanding of subscription revenue, rights management, royalty accounting, digital content monetization, and multi-channel distribution.
• Experience with SAP IS Media, including Subscription Order Management, Rights & Royalties, Revenue Management, and Content Management integration points; understanding of its interaction with FI in ECC-to-S/4HANA migration is a strong advantage.
• SAP Certified Application Associate — SAP S/4HANA Finance (any current release).
• SAP Certified Application Professional — Financials in SAP S/4HANA Finance.
• Professional finance certification such as CPA, CFA, CA (ACA/ACCA/ICAI or equivalent), or CMA.
• Equivalent demonstrated expertise may be considered in place of the preferred certifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end delivery of SAP FI workstreams for ECC Consolidation and S/4HANA Migration, including scope definition, blueprint, realization, testing, cutover, and hypercare.
• Own Finance functional design across General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Fixed Assets, Bank Accounting, Cost Centre Accounting, Taxes, and Profit Centre Accounting.
• Lead the ECC-to-S/4HANA transition, leveraging Universal Journal architecture, the simplified data model, Fiori, AI, and Joule-based user experiences.
• Lead fit-to-standard and fit-gap workshops, document solution decisions, and resolve issues within agreed timelines.
• Manage scope changes by evaluating timeline, cost, and architecture impacts and escalating for approval.
• Oversee Finance master-data and open-item migration strategy, cleansing, and reconciliation.
• Define and validate integration designs between SAP FI, adjacent workstreams, and non-SAP systems.
• Engage Wiley C-suite, Finance Leadership, and Business Process Owners to align on solution direction, milestones, and change impacts.
• Prepare and present executive program status, risks, required decisions, and escalations.
• Build relationships with Finance Leadership to support readiness, adoption, and value realization after go-live.
• Represent the Finance technology program in Steering Committee, Architecture Review Board, and governance forums.
• Collaborate with system integrators and technology vendors by providing requirements, reviewing solutions, and managing quality and timeline accountability.
• Partner with SAP on product roadmap alignment, SAP Business AI strategy, and escalation management.
• Coordinate with Infrastructure, Integration, Data, Security, and Change Management workstreams.
• Lead evaluation, solutioning, and phased delivery of SAP Business AI and Joule in Finance, including use cases such as period-end close automation, AP/AR matching, cash-flow forecasting, and anomaly detection.
• Assess and implement embedded S/4HANA Finance AI features, including predictive accounting, automated payment proposals, intelligent dunning, and real-time financial insights.
• Define a Finance AI roadmap aligned with Wiley’s strategic objectives and prioritize use cases by business value and feasibility.
• Monitor the SAP AI services landscape and identify opportunities for generative AI, machine learning, and automation in Finance workflows.
• Ensure responsible AI governance, auditability, and compliance considerations are incorporated into AI initiatives.
• Ensure SAP FI solution design follows SAP Best Practices, architectural standards, and Wiley enterprise design principles.
• Review and approve functional specifications, configuration workbooks, test scripts, and technical design documents.
• Define and oversee Finance testing across unit, integration, regression, UAT, and performance testing.
• Improve delivery methodology, tooling, and documentation standards.
• Provide functional leadership, mentoring, and direction to SAP FI consultants and Business Analysts.
• Establish team roles, responsibilities, and delivery expectations; identify skill gaps and support capability development planning with Technology and HR leadership.

Benefits

• Meeting-free Friday afternoons for focused work and professional development.
• Employee programs that provide opportunities to build community, learn, and grow.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Competitive compensation.

What This Job Offers

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