Senior Director of Finance Operations

Walker-Miller Energy•Detroit, MI

About The Position

The Senior Director of Finance Operations is a key operational leader within the Finance organization and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The role leads the coordination and day-to-day effectiveness of FP&A, Accounting, and Treasury. In partnership with the CFO and finance leadership, the Senior Director translates strategic priorities into executable plans, strengthens controls and compliance, modernizes systems and processes, and ensures financial information supports timely, informed decision-making. The position drives disciplined execution across finance initiatives, improves integration among finance teams, and builds scalable, well-documented processes to support organizational growth. The Senior Director recommends strategic and operational improvements, leads implementation within approved parameters, and works cross-functionally with Operations, HR, IT, and other business partners to promote alignment, adoption, and measurable results. The role also leads, coaches, and develops finance leaders and team members within its assigned scope, and may act on behalf of the CFO on selected finance operations matters within delegated authority. Walker-Miller Energy Services is a Detroit-based company founded in 2000. It creates and manages customized energy waste reduction programs to help electric and gas utilities meet mandated energy savings goals. Its stated core values are BEHIVE: Boldly Go, Embrace Equity, Humble Confidence, Inclusive Stewardship, Value Reputation, and Extraordinary Experience. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer and participates in E-Verify.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
At least 10 years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, FP&A, treasury, finance operations, process improvement, or a related field.
At least 5 years of people or functional leadership experience.
Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and audit readiness.
Demonstrated success improving finance processes, leading change, and executing cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
Experience with financial systems implementation, automation, data governance, reporting modernization, or scaling finance operations.
Ability to develop clear executive-level presentations, communicate complex financial and operational matters, and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
Strong program management, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-support capabilities.
High integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to accurate, timely execution.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, talk, hear, and touch and handle tools and/or controls.
Ability to frequently stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl.
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds.

Nice To Haves

MBA.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
Experience with enterprise financial, planning, reporting, or HR systems.
Experience in energy, utilities, professional services, or another project-based environment.
CPA and/or CMA.

Responsibilities

Embrace, operate, and lead within the company’s core values.
Act as an operational and thought partner to the CFO, translating organizational strategy and finance priorities into actionable plans, forecasts, initiatives, and performance measures.
Establish and maintain an operating cadence that makes milestones, risks, dependencies, decisions, and required course corrections visible.
Drive end-to-end execution of key finance initiatives, remove roadblocks, and escalate significant issues or decisions to the CFO.
Prepare reports, presentations, and recommendations for the CFO and executive leadership, and support development of materials as needed.
Coordinate FP&A, Accounting, and Treasury to align goals, priorities, deliverables, and timelines.
Strengthen collaboration, role clarity, shared accountability, and consistent communication across finance functions.
Ensure budgets, forecasts, management reporting, cash planning, and accounting results are integrated and internally consistent.
Sponsor Finance change management by communicating the purpose and benefits of changes, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring teams receive appropriate training and support.
Ensure budgeting, forecasting, and reporting support operational, planning, and decision-making needs of business operations and SG&A teams.
Partner with business and operational leaders to turn financial insights into actions that improve performance, accountability, and resource allocation.
Define, track, and refine finance and business performance indicators, ensuring KPIs are measurable, understood, and included in leadership dashboards and operating routines.
Support the CFO in monitoring organizational performance and identifying emerging risks, trends, and opportunities.
Partner with Finance, Operations, HR, and IT leaders to harmonize processes and support adoption of new tools, policies, and standards.
Develop stakeholder engagement strategies to build alignment, secure buy-in, and address resistance through communication, relationship-building, and collaboration.
Facilitate cross-functional working sessions and reinforce Finance’s role as a responsive, solutions-oriented business partner.
Deliver training and practical guidance to support adoption of process, technology, data, and organizational improvements.
Lead, coach, and develop finance leaders and team members; set clear goals, manage performance, and build bench strength.
Foster trust and psychological safety, and model collaborative, inclusive, and accountable leadership.
Encourage cross-training and development opportunities that broaden capabilities and deepen shared ownership for results.
Act on behalf of the CFO on selected finance operations matters within delegated authority.