Financial Analyst - Expense Management

MetLife; Cary (NC); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive health plan

Retirement pension with 401(k) matching

Tuition assistance

Paid time off and holidays

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

MetLife is seeking a Financial Analyst in Cary, NC. This hybrid role focuses on financial reporting, vendor management, and operational support within the Data & Analytics team. The candidate must have significant experience in financial planning, strong Excel skills, and a Bachelor's degree in a related field.

The salary range is $85,000 - $110,000, with comprehensive benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, and paid leave.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in financial planning & analysis or related fields.
• Strong skills in Excel including pivot tables and advanced formulas.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and maintain monthly financial forecasts and budget updates.
• Produce financial statement reporting and variance analysis.
• Support system-based forecasting with an emphasis on data accuracy.

Skills

Financial Planning & Analysis

Vendor Management

Advanced Excel

PowerPoint

Analytical Thinking

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration or related field

Tools

Apptio

Power BI

Job description

Role Value Proposition

MetLife’s Data & Analytics Strategy, Planning, and Portfolio Management team drives transparency, operational rigor, and financial stewardship across the U.S. D&A organization. Our work supports leaders across all D&A pillars by simplifying processes, strengthening vendor governance, and improving financial decision-making.

Responsibilities

Financial Reporting, Analysis & Forecasting

• Prepare, maintain, and reconcile monthly financial forecast submissions and annual budget updates.
• Produce financial statement reporting and analysis for D&A leadership, including variance analysis and budget vs. actual insights by pillar leads.
• Support system-based forecasting and multi-year planning activities, with an emphasis on Apptio data accuracy and scenario modeling.
• Track billing activity, cost centers, budget transfers, and financial risks/opportunities across the portfolio.
• Develop consolidated views for leadership presentations and reporting packages.

Vendor Governance & Expense Management

• Track vendor spend across SOWs, software contracts, professional services, and invoice processing.
• Partner with the VMO team, MGCC support resources, and procurement partners to ensure proper controls, documentation, and performance tracking.
• Identify optimization and cost efficiency opportunities within third-party spend.
• Support vendor lifecycle processes and help ensure compliance with governance standards.

Workforce & Operational Support

• Maintain accurate records of FTE and FTC headcount across D&A pillars.
• Partner with team leads to reflect workforce changes in planning tools.
• Support reporting needs for labor cost tracking and capacity planning.

Process Improvement & Collaboration

• Contribute to the development of standardized templates and reporting frameworks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure consistency and scalability in financial operations.
• Participate in tool enhancements and automation initiatives to improve reporting efficiency.

Essential Business Experience and Technical Skills

Required:

• 5-7 years of experience in financial planning & analysis, vendor management, or related fields.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Strong Excel and PowerPoint skills, including pivot tables and advanced formulas.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.
• Strong communication, analytical thinking, and relationship-building skills.

Preferred:

• Willingness to learn or deepen expertise in enterprise planning tools such as Apptio and other related enterprise tools and systems.
• Curiosity and openness to using automation and AI tools (e.g., Copilot, Power BI) to enhance workflows and reporting accuracy.

Additional Information

Location Expectation: This is a hybrid role requiring a minimum of 3 days per week in office.

Salary: The expected salary range for this position is $85,000 - $110,000. This role may also be eligible for annual short-term incentive compensation. All incentives and benefits are subject to the applicable plan terms.

Benefits

Our U.S. benefits address holistic well-being with programs for physical and mental health, financial wellness, and support for families. We offer a comprehensive health plan that includes medical/prescription drug and vision, dental insurance, and no-cost short- and long-term disability. We also provide company-paid life insurance and legal services, a retirement pension funded entirely by MetLife and 401(k) with employer matching, group discounts on voluntary insurance products including auto and home, pet, critical illness, hospital indemnity, and accident insurance, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and digital mental health programs, parental leave, paid time off, paid holidays, volunteer time off, tuition assistance and much more.

About MetLife

Recognized on Fortune magazine's list of the World’s Most Admired Companies, Fortune World’s 25 Best Workplaces, as well as the Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For, MetLife, through its subsidiaries and affiliates, is one of the world’s leading financial services companies; providing insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management to individual and institutional customers. With operations in more than 40 markets, we hold leading positions in the United States, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Our purpose is simple – to help our colleagues, customers, communities, and the world at large create a more confident future. United by purpose and guided by our core values - Win Together, Do the Right Thing, Deliver Impact Over Activity, and Think Ahead - we’re inspired to transform the next century in financial services. MetLife is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are made without regards to race, color, national origin, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital or domestic/civil partnership status, genetic information, citizenship status (although applicants and employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States), uniformed service member or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you need an accommodation due to a disability, please email [e-mail]. MetLife maintains a drug-free workplace.