Director, Financial Planning and Analysis (APJI)

Ciena Corporation; Gurugram District; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 6,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Ciena is seeking a strategic and analytical Regional FP&A Advisor to drive financial strategy, planning, and performance for our regional operations in India. This leadership role partners with regional leaders to align financial goals with business priorities and deliver actionable insights to drive sustainable growth.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting for regional and corporate stakeholders, while mentoring the finance team and advancing automation and data

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 10+ years of FP&A or related roles in tech/network/telecom.
• Proven leadership in regional/global FP&A functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; translate data to insights.
• Proficiency in Hyperion, SAP, Oracle, Excel and Power BI.
• Knowledge of revenue accounting concepts and AI-based analytics.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills to influence across geos.

Responsibilities

• Lead the regional budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-term planning.
• Partner with regional leaders to align financial goals with business objectives.
• Deliver actionable insights via variance, trend, and scenario analyses.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align financial plans with priorities.
• Ensure timely preparation of reports, dashboards, and presentations for stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes and reporting tools.
• Foster collaboration, coaching, and development within the finance team.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Financial modeling

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

Hyperion

SAP

Oracle

Excel

Power BI

Job description

As the global leader in high-speed connectivity, Ciena is committed to a people-first approach. Our teams enjoy a culture focused on prioritizing a flexible work environment that empowers individual growth, well-being, and belonging. We’re a technology company that leads with our humanity—driving our business priorities alongside meaningful social, community, and societal impact. Ciena is seeking a strategic and analytical Regional FP&A Advisor to drive financial strategy, planning, and performance management for our regional operations. This leadership role is pivotal in aligning financial goals with business objectives, delivering actionable insights, and ensuring sustainable growth and profitability. With a focus on talent development, this position offers the potential to transition into broader leadership opportunities, including the Director FP&A Leader role.

How You Will Contribute

• Lead the regional financial planning and analysis process, including annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-term strategic planning.
• Partner with regional leadership to align financial goals with business objectives, ensuring sustainable growth and profitability.
• Deliver actionable insights through detailed financial analysis, including variance analysis, trend analysis, and scenario modeling, driving cost efficiency and margin optimization.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure financial plans align with business goals, market dynamics, and organizational priorities, enabling informed decision-making.
• Ensure timely and accurate preparation of financial reports, dashboards, and presentations for regional and corporate stakeholders.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes and reporting tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the finance function, providing coaching and professional development opportunities to team members.

The Must Haves

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA or CPA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, financial strategy, or related roles, preferably in the technology, networking, or telecommunications industry.
• Proven track record of success in a leadership role, managing regional or global FP&A functions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with expertise in synthesizing complex data into actionable insights.
• Proficiency in financial systems and tools (e.g., Hyperion, SAP, Oracle, or similar), advanced Excel and financial modeling techniques, and Power BI.
• Strong understanding of revenue accounting concepts and predictive analytics using AI tools.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to simplify messaging and influence outcomes across geographies and time zones.

Nice to Haves

• Experience in aligning numbers to business concepts and translating financial data into impactful recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to streamline FP&A processes and improve reporting timeliness through automation tools.
• Strategic mindset with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and mitigating risks.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills, fostering trust and collaboration across teams.
• Proven ability to develop high-performing FP&A teams and contribute to talent development initiatives.
• Familiarity with financial compliance and regulatory requirements.

At Ciena, we are committed to building and fostering an environment in which our employees feel respected, valued, and heard. Ciena values the diversity of its workforce and respects its employees as individuals. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination. Ciena is an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity, please advise Ciena of any accommodation measures you may require.