JOB OF THE WEEK: Finance Director

This position resides with the Meredith Xcelerated Marketing’s (MXM) Los Angeles location and reports functionally to the VP, Finance MXM in Des Moines, Iowa, with a dotted line to SVP/GM/Chief Digital Officer in Los Angeles, CA. MXM’s Los Angeles campus leads MXM’s interactive marketing operation, specializing in online marketing communications. MXM is fully owned by Meredith Corporation which is headquartered in Des Moines, IA. MXM’s LA location builds sophisticated interactive/online marketing and communication programs for clients. This position oversees two finance staff in LA, and also has the support of a Des Moines based financial/business manager. The role leads all financial planning, analysis and decision support associated with the company’s service offerings. The Finance Director is viewed as a strategic business partner with the SVP/GM. Responsibilities also include overseeing timely and accurate monthly financial forecasts, monthly financial close process, and leading the annual budget process.
Key responsibilities include:

-Partner with the MXM’s VP Finance and MXM’s SVP/GM/Chief Digital Officer on analysis, creation of strategies, analysis of existing services, and general recommendation of financial and operational efficiency and improvement. This includes reviewing client profitability and analyzing employee utilization to provide recommendations for improvement.

-Builds and reviews in detail the financial models and supporting analysis (including new business pricing) of existing and future business services. Collaborate with sales, marketing, and administrative heads to develop, support, and implement financial and operational initiatives.

-Creates and oversee regular processes and reports such as monthly close process, accurate P&L forecasts and related items. This includes overseeing client billing, client and vendor contracts, revenue recognition and related compliance.

-General projects and oversight as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
All must be met to be considered.

Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Finance or relevant field, MBA and/or CPA is preferred, or equivalent training and/or experience.

Experience:
Ten years related work experience. Minimum four years experience in a service-based consulting firm, advertising agency or in a similar environment. Broad human resources and payroll background helpful.

Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Proven leader and collaborative business partner.
High aptitude and enthusiasm for complex financial modeling and analysis.
Strong experience in MS Office Excel, Word and Powerpoint.
Strong capabilities for writing, facilitating and presenting analyses to executives/senior management.
Ability to think strategically.
Good organizational skills.
Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and maintain composure under pressure.
Proactive self-starter who can work well independently and as part of a team.
Organized with a proven attention to detail.

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