Finance Transformation & Change Specialist

Zs Associates; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working model

Total rewards package

Job summary

ZS Associates in Chicago seeks a Finance Transformation & Change Specialist to drive strategic finance initiatives, adopt new ways of working, and deliver measurable business benefits across the organization.

You will lead cross-functional programs with Finance, HR, IT, and operations, develop business cases, govern the portfolio, and guide change management activities to ensure adoption and sustained value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Communications, Organizational Development, or related field.
• 5–8 years of change management, transformation, program management, business operations, consulting, or related area.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-workstream initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong project and program management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes in a highly matrixed environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic Finance transformation initiatives from planning through implementation, adoption, and benefits realization.
• Own project plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and decision forums to ensure successful execution.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Finance, HR, IT, Operations, and other business stakeholders.
• Drive program governance, status reporting, and executive communications.
• Develop business cases, define success metrics, and track measurable transformation outcomes.
• Identify and proactively resolve barriers to program success.
• Design and execute change management strategies that support successful adoption of new processes, tools, and operating models.
• Conduct stakeholder impact assessments and identify organizational readiness risks.
• Develop and deliver communication, engagement, and training plans tailored to different stakeholder groups.
• Establish feedback mechanisms and change champion networks to support adoption efforts.
• Monitor adoption metrics, benefits realization, and business outcomes, refining strategies as needed.
• Partner with leaders to identify and implement improvements to business processes, governance, collaboration, and employee experiences.
• Guide teams through ambiguity and organizational change.
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset across Finance.
• Develop and enhance transformation methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices.
• Create clear, compelling, and executive-ready presentations, communications, business cases, and meeting materials.
• Translate complex concepts and transformation objectives into actionable messages.
• Facilitate workshops, working sessions, training events, and stakeholder discussions.
• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Communication

Analytical thinking

Influence stakeholders

PowerPoint

Excel

English fluency

Client-focused

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Communications, Organizational Development, or related field

Tools

Microsoft PowerPoint

Microsoft Excel

Job description

ZS is a place where passion changes lives. As a management consulting and technology firm focused on improving life and how we live it, we transform ideas into impact by bringing together data, science, technology and human ingenuity to deliver better outcomes for all. Here you’ll work side-by-side with a powerful collective of thinkers and experts shaping life-changing solutions for patients, caregivers and consumers, worldwide. ZSers drive impact by bringing a client-first mentality to each and every engagement. We partner collaboratively with our clients to develop custom solutions and technology products that create value and deliver company results across critical areas of their business. Bring your curiosity for learning, bold ideas, courage and passion to drive life-changing impact to ZS.

Finance Transformation & Change Specialist:

As a Finance Transformation & Change Specialist, you will play a critical role in helping Finance evolve to meet the needs of a growing, increasingly complex business. You will partner with leaders across Finance and enterprise functions to lead transformational initiatives, drive adoption of new ways of working, and ensure strategic programs deliver sustainable, measurable business outcomes.

You will be responsible for the successful execution of transformation initiatives and the organizational change efforts required to realize intended business benefits. This role offers the opportunity to influence how Finance operates, collaborates, and supports the business in the future.

What You'll Do:

• Lead strategic Finance transformation initiatives from planning through implementation, adoption, and benefits realization.
• Own project plans, milestones, dependencies, risks, issues, and decision forums to ensure successful execution.
• Lead cross-functional collaboration across Finance, HR, IT, Operations, and other business stakeholders.
• Drive program governance, status reporting, and executive communications.
• Develop business cases, define success metrics, and track measurable transformation outcomes.
• Identify and proactively resolve barriers to program success.
• Design and execute change management strategies that support successful adoption of new processes, tools, and operating models.
• Conduct stakeholder impact assessments and identify organizational readiness risks.
• Develop and deliver communication, engagement, and training plans tailored to different stakeholder groups.
• Establish feedback mechanisms and change champion networks to support adoption efforts.
• Monitor adoption metrics, benefits realization, and business outcomes, refining strategies as needed.
• Partner with leaders to identify and implement improvements to business processes, governance, collaboration, and employee experiences.
• Guide teams through ambiguity and organizational change.
• Champion a continuous improvement mindset across Finance.
• Develop and enhance transformation methodologies, tools, templates, and best practices.
• Create clear, compelling, and executive-ready presentations, communications, business cases, and meeting materials.
• Translate complex concepts and transformation objectives into actionable messages.
• Facilitate workshops, working sessions, training events, and stakeholder discussions.
• Build trusted relationships across all levels of the organization.

What You'll Bring:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Communications, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or a related field.
• 5–8 years of experience in change management, transformation, program management, business operations, consulting, or a related area.
• Demonstrated leadership of complex, multi-workstream initiatives involving multiple stakeholder groups.
• Strong project and program management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving capabilities.
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive outcomes in a highly matrixed environment.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint and Excel.
• Fluency in English.
• Client-first mentality.
• Intense work ethic.
• Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, Communications, Organizational Development, Human Resources, or a related field.
• Experience supporting organizational transformation, process improvement, or technology adoption initiatives.
• Familiarity with structured change management approaches such as Prosci ADKAR, Kotter, or similar methodologies.
• Experience working within Finance, Operations, Shared Services, or other corporate functions.
• Experience supporting AI enablement, workforce planning initiatives, process modernization efforts, operating model changes, or large-scale business transformation programs.
• Experience developing executive-level communications and facilitating leadership workshops.

Why Join Finance Transformation?

The Finance organization is embarking on a multi-year journey to modernize processes, strengthen capabilities, enhance employee experiences, and enable future growth. As a member of the Finance Transformation team, you will have the opportunity to help shape how Finance operates in the future while working across a broad portfolio of strategic initiatives spanning people, process, technology, governance, and organizational change.

This role provides significant exposure to senior leaders, meaningful opportunities to influence strategic decisions, and the chance to make a measurable impact across the organization.

How you’ll grow:

• Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways
• Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities
• Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s-curves, individual contribution and role expansions

Perks & Benefits:

At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community. For details on total rewards in United States, visit ZS US office locations | Where we work | ZS.

Hybrid working model:

We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on-site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.

Travel:

Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client-facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.

Work Authorization:

This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Candidates must have authorization to work in the United States that does not now or in the future require employer sponsorship.

Considering applying?

At ZS, we honor the visible and invisible elements of our identities, personal experiences, and belief systems—the ones that comprise us as individuals, shape who we are, and make us unique. We believe your personal interests, identities, and desire to learn are integral to your success here. We are committed to building a team that reflects a broad variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. Learn more about our inclusion and belonging efforts and the networks ZS supports to assist our ZSers in cultivating community spaces and obtaining the resources they need to thrive.

If you’re eager to grow, contribute, and bring your unique self to our work, we encourage you to apply.

ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.