Financial Planning and Analysis Manager

Buckingham Search; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus opportunities

Paid time off & holidays

Employer-funded retirement + 401(k)

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Visible role with Technology leaders

Job summary

Buckingham Search in Chicago (Hybrid) seeks a Reporting & Budgeting Manager - Technology to lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for the Technology organization. You will partner with Technology leadership to drive investments, cost management, and robust financial reporting.

The role requires strong analytical skills, experience with IT cost drivers, and a track record of delivering actionable insights to senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant accounting or finance experience.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of IT cost drivers, including infrastructure, cloud-based services, software licensing, labor, and project-based investments.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for the Technology organization, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and business objectives.
• Manage the financial performance of the Technology portfolio, including infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and strategic technology initiatives.
• Partner with Technology leadership to evaluate investments, develop business cases, assess financial risks, and provide recommendations that support technology strategy and resource allocation.
• Monitor technology spending against budget and forecast, perform variance analysis, and deliver meaningful financial reporting, dashboards, and presentations to Technology leadership and senior management.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Vendor Management, and Technology teams to evaluate vendor contracts, monitor technology expenditures, and support cost optimization initiatives.
• Establish and maintain financial controls, governance processes, and reporting standards that ensure financial integrity, accountability, and effective stewardship of organizational resources.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance financial processes, reporting capabilities, data quality, and operational efficiency across Finance and Technology functions.
• Manage, mentor, and develop professional staff through coaching, performance management, training, and career development initiatives.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Strategic partnering

Cost management

Financial controls

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance/Accounting

CPA

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

Chicago, IL

Hybrid

Our client is a leading global professional services organization with a significant international presence and a highly sophisticated Technology organization supporting a complex, global business.

The Reporting & Budgeting Manager - Technology will be responsible for leading financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and financial performance management for the Technology organization. This individual will partner closely with Technology leadership and cross-functional teams to support strategic decision‑making, resource allocation, and cost management.

Things to Get Excited About

• Annual merit bonus and salary increase opportunity.
• Generous paid time off and paid holidays.
• Employer‑funded retirement benefit in addition to a 401(k) plan.
• Pre‑tax commuter benefits for transit and parking.
• Opportunity to work in a highly visible role partnering directly with Technology leadership.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead the annual budgeting, forecasting, and long‑range planning processes for the Technology organization, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and business objectives.
• Manage the financial performance of the Technology portfolio, including infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, enterprise applications, and strategic technology initiatives.
• Partner with Technology leadership to evaluate investments, develop business cases, assess financial risks, and provide recommendations that support technology strategy and resource allocation.
• Monitor technology spending against budget and forecast, perform variance analysis, and deliver meaningful financial reporting, dashboards, and presentations to Technology leadership and senior management.
• Collaborate with Procurement, Vendor Management, and Technology teams to evaluate vendor contracts, monitor technology expenditures, and support cost optimization initiatives.
• Establish and maintain financial controls, governance processes, and reporting standards that ensure financial integrity, accountability, and effective stewardship of organizational resources.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance financial processes, reporting capabilities, data quality, and operational efficiency across Finance and Technology functions.
• Manage, mentor, and develop professional staff through coaching, performance management, training, and career development initiatives.

Education & Experience

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of relevant accounting or finance experience.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills.
• Strong understanding of IT cost drivers, including infrastructure, cloud‑based services, software licensing, labor, and project‑based investments.

Preferred:

• CPA.
• Professional services industry experience.
• Experience presenting financial information to leadership.

Other Skills & Abilities

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Good judgment and interpersonal communication skills.
• Well‑developed analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Self‑starter with a strong sense of ownership and commitment.
• Ability to exercise confidentiality and discretion.