Manager, Financial Systems (Project Hire)

Job Summary:

The Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire through September 30th, 2027

About the Role & Team

The Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire (through 9/30/2027) plays a critical leadership role in the strategic implementation, support, and optimization of financial planning platforms, primarily IBM Cognos/TM1, across the Disney Entertainment, Sports, and Corporate segments. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, adherence to SLAs, and the enablement of accurate and efficient planning cycles.

What You Will Do

As a key liaison between Finance, Technology, and Business stakeholders, this role drives alignment between system capabilities and business needs, ensures compliance with governance and SOX standards, and oversees system testing, training, and enhancement prioritization. The role also supports downstream data integration with other reporting systems to ensure consistency and accuracy across the enterprise.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee Disney Service Provider delivery of support activities
• Supervise and enhance support functions to ensure high service quality, fast issue resolution, and SLA compliance
• Prioritize and deliver system enhancements based on strategic value and business impact
• Collaborate with stakeholders and IT to align technology with evolving business needs
• Ensure compliance with company policies, SOX, and industry standards to safeguard financial data
• Oversee functional system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
• Enablement of financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP), including tool readiness and process controls

Strategy

• Maintains an objective financial perspective while considering broader organizational implications
• Differentiates between symptoms and root causes to identify meaningful opportunities for system and process improvements

Project Management

• Leads medium to large-scale segment projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and system capabilities
• Oversees the identification and resolution of functional, operational, and organizational challenges throughout the project lifecycle
• Oversees the design, planning, and execution of finance system initiatives, including upgrades and enhancements
• Ensures system functionality support evolving business requirements

Leadership

• Manages Disney Service Provider team and process owners to maintain overall process effectiveness and drive innovation
• Provides guidance and support to ensure successful delivery of complex tasks and initiatives

Process Support & Governance

• Applies expert knowledge of financial systems to support compliance and operational integrity
• Oversees governance and ensures adherence to company policies
• Proactively troubleshoots issues and drives resolution to maintain system reliability and data accuracy
• Oversees Service Provider Team to ensure timely and effective delivery of support services to finance users

Communication

• Maintains enterprise-wide professional networks to support cross-functional collaboration
• Leads brainstorming and planning sessions to address significant issues and align on strategic solutions
• Maintains clear and consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment

Required Qualifications & Skills

• 5+ years of management experience in Finance or Accounting, ideally within a large SAP environment
• 5+ years of experience with enterprise financial planning systems (e.g., Cognos/TM1)
• Proficient in BI/reporting tools such as SAP BW, HANA, Tableau, Hyperion Essbase, or PAfE/PAX
• Strong background in service delivery and customer support within high-performing organizations
• Experience managing budgets, resources, and adapting to shifting business priorities
• Solid understanding system controls, financial governance, and SOX compliance
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Financial Systems Expertise – Deep knowledge of Cognos/TM1 or similar financial planning platforms, with experience in implementation, support, and optimization
• Strategic Project Leadership – Proven ability to lead complex system initiatives and manage financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP) with a focus on business impact
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Strong partnership skills with Finance, Technology, and Business teams to ensure alignment between system capabilities and evolving needs
• Governance & Compliance – Solid understanding of SOX and financial data governance, with a track record of ensuring compliance across systems and processes
• Service Delivery Management – Experience managing support functions, driving SLA
• adherence, and delivering high-quality issue resolution
• Testing & Training Oversight – Skilled in overseeing system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
• Data Integration & Accuracy – Familiarity with downstream reporting systems and data flows to maintain consistency and accuracy across platforms
• Analytical Thinking – Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business requirements into scalable system solutions
• Effective Communication – Clear and confident communicator with the ability to influence decisions and present to senior leadership
• Adaptability & Initiative – Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and driving continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading managers / supervisors and managing vendor service providers
• Expertise with complex integrated financial planning models that consists of labor / headcount, overhead, and P&L
• Knowledge of GL based financial consolidation, eliminations, and reporting for quarter closes
• Experience in using SAP or another ERP
• Experience in using Cognos reporting tools, Business Objects, and/or Tableau
• Experience using systems designed to manage issues, changes and testing (e.g. Service Now, qTest, ALM, Rational Team Concert)
• CPA or CMA license, or equivalent
• Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
• Six Sigma certification

Education

Minimum Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or related field

Preferred

• Graduate Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems or relevant advanced degree preferred

The hiring range for this position in Burbank, California is $137,100.00 to $167,500.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.