VP, Financial Operations

A+E Networks•New York, NY

10d•Remote

About The Position

The Vice President, Financial Operations is a senior finance executive responsible for leading the company’s core financial operations, including budget performance tracking, procurement, accounts payable, financial systems, internal controls, and compliance. This role ensures operational excellence across the record-to-report cycle, maintains a strong internal control environment, and builds scalable financial infrastructure to support business growth and organizational change. Theis role will partner closely with senior finance leadership to enhance financial visibility, drive process efficiency, and safeguard company assets. A key component of this role is ownership of a Finance Operating Model transformation to increase efficiency, enhance internal customer service, and operational excellence.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA strongly preferred.
12+ years of progressive finance experience, including senior leadership in financial operations.
Strong technical accounting knowledge and financial reporting expertise preferred.
Experience leading finance operations within multi-entity or complex organizational structures.
Demonstrated success in process transformation and financial systems implementation.
Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Key Competencies of a successful candidate should include: Operational Excellence; Financial & Analytical Rigor; Risk & Control Orientation; Process Optimization & Automation; Data Governance; Vendor Management; Finance Data Strategy; Executive Presence; Change Leadership; Customer Service

Responsibilities

Financial Operations Leadership
Design and implement a scalable Finance Operating Model including centralized/shared services structure, service delivery frameworks, and clearly defines SLAs
Oversee Accounts Payable and Procurement teams, ensuring efficient, compliant, and service-oriented operations.
Evaluate and manage third-party vendors and outsourcing partners to optimize cost, scalability, and service quality.
Partner with FP&A to oversee budget performance tracking, including KPI dashboard reporting for Finance leadership.
Support working capital optimization through effective management of payables, procurement cycles, and payment strategies.
Develop and maintain the Company’s master accounting calendar (subject to Controller approval), establishing and enforcing cross-functional deadlines to ensure disciplined execution of monthly, quarterly, and annual close cycles aligned with reporting and audit requirements.
Ensure a strong internal control environment and compliance with regulatory requirements.
Oversee the management audit process, focusing on the adequacy and effectiveness of controls over key operational and IT-dependent financial processes.
Process Optimization & Systems
Lead financial systems strategy and administration, partnering closely with Technology for infrastructure, security, and engineering support while defining functional user requirements.
Oversee system administration of SAP and balance sheet reconciliation tools, ensuring proper approval of system changes and reliable support during close, forecast, and budget cycles.
Lead enterprise-wide finance transformation initiatives, including process re-engineering, automation, and organizational redesign
Lead financial system upgrades and ensure appropriate staff training to maximize system utilization.
Evaluate and implement automation tools and scalable solutions to streamline financial operations, including Procure-to-Pay (P2P), Accrual, and Order-to-Cash (O2C) processes.
Compliance & Risk Management
Oversee the development, maintenance, and administration of accounting policies and procedures to ensure alignment with U.S. GAAP and evolving business activities.
Strengthen and maintain the Company’s internal control framework.
Coordinate quarterly and annual Governmental Business and Financial Transaction survey reporting.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance operations organization.
Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Establish clear performance goals, talent development plans, and succession strategies within the function.
Strategic Partnership & Internal Customer Service
Partner with FP&A, Tax, Legal, HR, and operational leaders to align financial operations with broader business objectives.
Provide operational finance insights to support strategic decisions, growth initiatives, and business transformation efforts.
Establish and monitor service level agreements (SLAs) and key service metrics to enhance the experience of internal stakeholders