Director, FP&A

Cision; Toronto; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global technology company is seeking a Director of FP&A to lead the Americas Commercial Finance team. The ideal candidate will possess 7-10 years of financial planning and analysis experience, strong strategic thinking abilities, and excellent communication skills. Responsibilities include financial analytics, budgeting, and process optimization. This role is crucial for influencing key business decisions and requires a strong understanding of SaaS metrics and financial reporting tools.

Qualifications

• 7-10 years of FP&A experience is required.
• Experience in a SaaS environment or PR/Media is preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to influence leaders and communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Americas Commercial Finance team to influence business decisions.
• Analyze financial analytics to drive operational actions.
• Own process improvement and standardization across finance.

Skills

Financial analysis

Communication

Strategic thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

Power BI

Salesforce

Excel

Job description

At Cision, we believe in empowering every individual to make an impact. Here, your voice is heard, your ideas are valued, and your unique perspective fuels our collective success. As part of our global team, you'll thrive in an environment that champions curiosity, collaboration, and innovation, all while making meaningful contributions to the brands we accelerate.

Join us in shaping the future of communication and building authentic connections that matter. Whether you're solving complex problems or driving bold innovations, your growth is our success, and together, we’ll create the conversations of tomorrow.

Empower your impact at Cision. Be seen, be understood, be you.

Job Summary

The Director of FP&A role is the responsible for leading the Americas Commercial Finance team with the mission to strategically influence business decisions, improve processes and optimize partnerships, performance, margin and growth through leveraging data and analytics. This role will act as a key business partner and will be an integral partner to the Chief Revenue Officer as well as other Senior Sales executives on a wide range of topics, including headcount planning, pipeline/forecasting and long‑range operational planning. You are an exceptional communicator, turning cold hard numbers into relatable business insights, driving action and business outcomes. You are both a doer and a strategist, understanding when it's time to direct your team and when it's time to roll up your sleeves and dive into the weeds.

You embrace ambiguity, forecasting challenges and planning for them. You create order from chaos and execute on the vision of the company. You know what a SaaS organization needs in order to grow, and which metrics matter and which ones are noise. You partner with the business to understand the goals of each business unit, and guide strategy to maximize business value.

The ideal candidate must have a demonstrated ability to build relationships, influence leaders, and think strategically, as well as possess strong written and oral communication skills and provide excellent customer service.

Major Responsibilities

• Analyze forward‑looking financial analytics to drive operational action that achieves business goals by partnering with CRO and other Senior Sales leaders.
• Own process improvement and standardization, and best practice implementation across Americas finance.
• Drive continuous improvement of business decision‑making and investment optimization, showing predictive sales metrics.
• Understanding SaaS KPIs such as ARR, Retention and Replacement rates, New Business Bookings, and metrics that indicate the operating effectiveness of the Sales and Marketing functions (conversion rates, pipeline coverage, marketing spend ROI, etc.).
• Establish tools and financial frameworks for optimizing business decision‑making within Salesforce and Power BI.
• Proactively provide future‑forward strategic decision support through insightful, operational recommendations.
• Own COR/SG&A management across the Americas commercial business; Build and develop a high‑performing team.
• Establish a best‑in‑class commercial finance team through talent management and development.
• Facilitate cross‑functional communication and teamwork to understand all aspects of the operating performance, income drivers, unusual items and industry issues that might impact the platforms.
• Support all FP&A needs of the platforms, including analytics to focus the businesses on their key financial levers that drive performance and straightforward decision support tools that provide actionable insights.
• Perform regular industry benchmarking to inform business strategies and provide context to performance.
• Effectively communicate the performance, challenges and opportunities facing the platforms.
• Provide essential business insights while minimizing the operating team’s reporting time commitment.

Monthly/Quarterly Reporting

Responsible for Op Review reporting (monthly), ensuring clear linkage with the key drivers of performance, the budgets and the business incentive target.

Budgeting & Forecasting

Organize monthly review packages including key financial metrics and performance indicators.

Responsible for the design and execution of all forecasting processes and models.

Identify and execute on opportunities to simplify and enhance the current processes and models.

Analyze the business to identify trends in the business; recommend and implement specific corrective actions when warranted.

Support development of 3‑year Strategic Plan, Annual Operating Plan, and Quarterly Review.

Lead monthly forecast process, providing periodic updates.

Manage and/or assist with special projects on group‑wide initiatives, process simplification, and specific projects as requested.

Support Key Business Initiatives

Establish strong controls within the team and ensure data accuracy.

Work closely with other functions on key projects (e.g., Accounting, Tax, Treasury) as needed.

Help drive finance discipline, fact‑based decision‑making, and financial visibility.

Perform financial analytics in support of all business decisions including balance sheet and cash flow forecasting.

Understand the key strategic priorities of the organization with an understanding of the “bigger picture” and perform analysis to ensure company resources are allocated efficiently in support of those priorities.

Build financials tools, reporting mechanisms, business modeling and financial planning processes that will effectively scale the growth of the business.

Identify business risks and opportunities and initiate action plans to close identified gaps.

Accountabilities

Be a trusted, strategic business partner who adds value by providing accurate, timely, and pertinent financial insights. Provide forward‑looking financial leadership and analysis. Develop and implement robust procedures that create accurate, timely, and relevant financial statements, measurements, forecasts, plans, and business analysis. Focus on continuous improvement and clear communication skills. Coach the global financial staff on financial analysis and reporting issues.

Job Requirements

• Must have a minimum 7‑10 years FP&A experience.
• Successful track record of working and thriving in a dynamic, growth‑oriented and often highly ambiguous/transformative environment. SaaS experienced preferred or PR/Media exposure.
• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance required.
• MBA or CPA preferred.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis.
• Experience in developing and/or the ability to understand complex financial models.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively develop planning calendars and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with others, including non‑Finance personnel.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Advanced Excel skills and working knowledge of PowerPoint, and Word.
• Experienced in large ERP systems with multiple different currencies—and experienced with consolidation software/tools.

Additional Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to persuade others through disciplined use of data.
• Strong in Systems including NetSuite, PowerBI, Salesforce or other CRM tool (Required).
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects at once maintaining accuracy and speed.
• Positive attitude and demonstrated flexibility in re‑prioritizing projects.
• Strong problem solving, strategic thinking and analytical skills with the ability to synthesize large amounts of data.
• Detail orientation with high attention to quality and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Able to develop outstanding business relationships and provide functional leadership even though all players do not report directly to this position.
• Above average written and oral communication skills.
• Disciplined work ethic, detail oriented and well organized.
• Team player and results oriented.
• Ability to work across cultures and functions seamlessly.

What You’ll Do

What You’ll Bring

What We Offer

As a global leader in PR, marketing and social media management technology and intelligence, Cision helps brands and organizations to identify, connect and engage with customers and stakeholders to drive business results. PR Newswire, a network of over 1.1 billion influencers, in‑depth monitoring, analytics and its Brandwatch and Falcon.io social media platforms headline a premier suite of solutions. Cision has offices in 24 countries throughout the Americas, EMEA and APAC. For more information about Cision's award‑winning solutions, including its next‑gen Cision Communications Cloud®, visit www.cision.com and follow @Cision on Twitter.

EEO Statement

Cision is committed to fostering an inclusive environment where all employees can be their authentic selves and perform at their best. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion is vital to driving our culture, sparking innovation and achieving long‑term success. Cision is proud to have joined more than 600 companies in signing the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™ pledge and named a “Top Diversity Employer” for 2021 by DiversityJobs.com.

Cision is proud to be an equal‑opportunity employer, seeking to create a welcoming and diverse environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other protected statuses.

Cision is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Cision will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact [e-mail].

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