Sr Finance Manager 1 - FP&A Management

GE Vernova • Elgin Township, IL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Finance Manager to serve as a strategic finance partner to the GE Vernova Advanced Research Center. This role will be instrumental in driving financial planning, performance management, and decision support for one of the company's most critical innovation engines. The ideal candidate is a forward-thinking finance leader who thrives in a dynamic, R&D-intensive environment, combining strong analytical rigor with the ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and senior leadership.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• 8+ years of progressive finance experience, including FP&A, business partnering, or controllership roles
• 3+ years of people management experience leading finance teams
• Strong proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and data analysis
• Experience with ERP systems (Oracle, SAP, or equivalent) and advanced Excel skills
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex financial information to non-financial stakeholders

Nice To Haves

• MBA, CPA, CMA, or CFA designation
• Experience in an R&D, technology, or engineering-intensive business environment
• Familiarity with government contract accounting (FAR/CAS/DFARS) and externally funded research programs
• Prior experience within GE, GE Vernova, or a large industrial/energy organization
• Experience with business intelligence and visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI, Hyperion)
• Six Sigma/Lean certification or equivalent process improvement experience
• Track record of driving transformation and implementing scalable finance processes

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual operating plan (AOP), long-range planning (LRP), and quarterly forecasting processes for the Advanced Research Center.
• Develop and maintain robust financial models to evaluate R&D project investments, resource allocation, and portfolio prioritization.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly financial reviews, variance analyses, and executive-level reporting packages.
• Serve as the primary finance business partner to Advanced Research Center leadership, including the VP/Head of Research and functional leaders.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic decision-making around technology investment priorities, partnerships, and organizational planning.
• Partner with program managers and principal investigators to establish project budgets, track spend, and assess ROI on research initiatives.
• Ensure adherence to GE Vernova financial policies, internal controls, and compliance standards.
• Oversee project accounting for government-funded and externally-sponsored research programs, ensuring compliance with FAR/CAS regulations and contract requirements.
• Drive operational rigor in cost management, headcount planning, and capital expenditures.
• Establish and monitor KPIs and financial metrics to assess the health and productivity of the research portfolio.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiency without compromising innovation output.
• Champion a culture of financial discipline, transparency, and continuous improvement across the organization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of finance professionals supporting the Advanced Research Center.
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance team culture.
• Build strong cross-functional relationships with Corporate FP&A, Controllership, Tax, Treasury, and business segment finance teams.

Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• prescription drug coverage
• access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource
• access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services
• GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions
• access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants
• tuition assistance
• adoption assistance
• paid parental leave
• disability benefits
• life insurance
• 12 paid holidays
• permissive time off
• Relocation Assistance Provided

What This Job Offers

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