Director of Financial Planning & Analysis

Empyrean; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Empyrean is seeking an FP&A Manager/Director to lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling while delivering strategic insights to senior leadership. The role requires strong GAAP knowledge, cross-functional collaboration, and a data-driven mindset to optimize liquidity and capital allocation.

You will own the annual budget across functions, oversee monthly/quarterly forecasts, and develop driver-based models.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA or CPA a plus).
• 10+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or related roles
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial statements, and corporate finance principles.
• Experience in a fast-paced, data-driven environment preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting process across functions, timelines, coordination, and consolidation.
• Own monthly and quarterly forecasting aligned with business drivers and updated assumptions.
• Develop and maintain driver-based financial models across revenue, expenses, and headcount.
• Assist in capital expenditure planning, investment analysis, and risk assessment.
• Analyze financial performance and key drivers across P&L; identify trends and opportunities.
• Support scenario modeling and long-range planning.
• Lead monthly close reporting with variance analysis vs. budget and forecast.
• Prepare executive-level reporting packages with concise narratives.
• Track and report KPIs; use Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or SAP to streamline reporting.
• Provide support for monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes.
• Partner with Sales, Operations, and G&A to guide budgeting and performance management.
• Translate financial data into strategic insights for decision-making.
• Identify financial risks and implement controls with cross-functional collaboration.
• Drive data quality, improve processes, and enable automation in budgeting.

Skills

Financial modeling

Forecasting

Variance analysis

Data interpretation

Cross-functional collaboration

AI utilization

Analytical thinking

Communication

Strategic thinking

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting/Economics

MBA or CPA a plus

Tools

Excel

SAP

Hyperion

Oracle

Power BI/Tableau

Job description

The FP&A Manager/Director will be responsible for budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and providing strategic insights to support decision-making. This role offers high visibility with senior leadership and requires strong financial acumen, excellent problem-solving skills, and the ability to work cross-functionally.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Budgeting & Financial Planning

• Lead the annual budgeting process across functions, including timeline, coordination, and consolidation.
• Own monthly and quarterly forecasting, ensuring alignment with business drivers and updated assumptions.
• Develop and maintain driver-based financial models across revenue, expenses, and headcount.
• Assist in capital expenditure planning, investment analysis, and risk assessment.

Financial Analysis & Insights

• Analyze financial performance and key drivers across P&L (revenue, cost, operating expenses).
• Identify trends, risks, and opportunities; deliver actionable insights to improve business performance.
• Support scenario modeling and long-range planning.
• Oversee cash flow to ensure sufficient liquidity for operations and optimize working capital. Includes ability to forecast monthly or as needed to support corporate requirements.

Reporting & Variance Analysis

• Lead monthly close reporting, including variance analysis vs. budget, forecast, and prior periods.
• Prepare executive-level reporting packages with clear, concise narratives.
• Track and report key financial and operational KPIs.
• Use financial software and data visualization tools (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau, or SAP) to streamline reporting processes.
• Provide support for monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes.

Cross-Functional Business Partnering

• Partner with leaders across departments (Sales, Operations, G&A) to support budgeting and performance management.
• Provide financial guidance on investment decisions, cost management, and resource allocation.
• Translate financial data into insights that influence decision-making.
• Identify financial risks, develop mitigation strategies, and implement controls to protect the organization's assets through collaboration with legal and parent in the selection and framework re corporate insurance coverages.

Process Improvement & Data Enablement

• Enhance FP&A processes, tools, and reporting capabilities.
• Improve data quality, consistency, and accessibility across systems.
• Drive automation and scalability in budgeting and forecasting workflows.

Required Skills And Abilities

• Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario analysis.
• Consistency in collaboration within and outside Finance department. - Strong interaction with VP of Revenue and Controller.
• Demonstrated AI utilization in prior role - both creation and implementation.
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, financial software (SAP, Hyperion, Oracle, or similar), and business intelligence tools.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work cross-functionally.
• High ownership mindset; operates effectively as an individual contributor
• Strong analytical and structured problem-solving skills
• Ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders without direct authority
• Detail-oriented with the ability to synthesize insights at a strategic level

Knowledge, Experience, And/Or Education Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field (MBA or CPA a plus).
• 10+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or related roles
• Strong knowledge of GAAP, financial statements, and corporate finance principles.
• Experience in a fast-paced, data-driven environment preferred.

Disclaimer

This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job. Management reserves the right to modify or reassign job duties as business needs evolve.

Empyrean is an Equal Opportunity Employer: including disability and protected veteran status.