Senior Finance Business Partner

Your Role:

The Senior Finance Business Partner will lead financial support for assigned areas of the business (primarily within Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media Group entities), providing internal financial reporting and financial analysis, and leading technology-oriented support for the department.  This role operates in a highly matrixed environment, working closely with various leaders.  It also involves developing and maintaining excellent relationships with colleagues across the organization.

Expected Compensation Range: $77,000 - $94,000/yr. Exact salary determined by experience and education related to the role, organizational compensation structure and internal equity.

Application Deadline: Open until filled

Position Responsibility:

Decision Support and Reporting (80%-85%)

       Business areas:

• Partner with assigned business units, key constituents, senior management, finance managers and staff and department management across the organization to provide thoughtful, thought provoking, action-oriented financial support to assigned business areas.  Become an essential advisor to business leaders and help their areas succeed.
• Analyze trends, costs, revenues, financial commitments and obligations incurred to forecast future revenues and expenses.
• Constructively challenge recommendations about resource utilization and assumptions underlying budgets/forecasts and provide potential solutions.
• Work with the finance leadership team and business leaders to develop standardized financial reports for forecasting, trending and results analysis.
• Question and research variances, trends, process improvements, business metrics and business results, and prepare recommendations.
• Apply a commercial awareness in the areas of tax, legal contract reviews, state and federal funding requirements, and payroll-related reporting and compliance.
• Prepare/review annual budget and ongoing financial forecasts pertaining to specific areas of the business, including providing monthly internal income statements and developing ad hoc analytics on key business drivers.
• Participate in the monthly close process as it relates to forecasting.
• Prepare monthly reports including detailed variance analysis, board/committee reports, and other reports as requested by Finance or Business leaders.
• Coordinate and/or complete any necessary accounting entries necessary to support assigned business units.
• Develop new reporting packages for management as business needs change.

     Corporate-level:

• Participate in the development of new institution-wide initiatives by developing a template to evaluate viability of new ideas; provide related financial models, input and ideas on cost optimization, cost/benefit analysis, budgets and tracking of results.
• Coordinate and review the work of other employees related to financial matters and assist in training new employees on finance related processes and applications.
• Provide decision support for new business proposals, strategic business reviews and other activities requiring higher-order financial analysis.
• Participate in internal audits and/or other risk mitigation-related activities. This could include leading an internal audit or providing analysis for a risk-related activity.

Technology and Systems (15%-20%)

• Apply a systems-forward approach to analysis; assess technology needs on an ongoing basis and how technology can facilitate and improve the department’s work.
• Maintain financial reporting database including updating reporting logic, maintaining reporting dimensions and attributes, troubleshooting reporting problem.
• Maintain and develop Tableau and/or other analysis tool data sources.
• Act as the liaison between the analyst team and the technology group in relation to troubleshooting system problems, data warehouse maintenance, budgeting & business intelligence tools, etc.
• Develop financial models and /or partner with the internal technology group to incorporate financial models into APM’s financial applications and reports.

Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting/Finance/Business or similar, OR equivalent work experience. 
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in accounting, finance, or similar role(s) (e.g., as a consultant/contractor).

Required Skills, Knowledge and Abilities:

• Understanding of fundamental accounting concepts.
• Experience with accounting software, spreadsheets, relational databases, planning tools (TM1), general ledger (Lawson), and statistical packages to assemble, manipulate or format relatively complex data or reports. Previous experience with data modeling, data analysis, and data management principles.
• Ability to utilize predictive analytics or machine learning models to forecast trends and behaviors to identify opportunities and anticipate risks.
• Experience designing and implementing financial systems.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and planning skills.
• Excellent communication skills.  Ability to understand and effectively communicate complex financial issues concisely and simply to non-financial people based on detailed analysis.  Ability to tell a story with data.
• Demonstrated ability to apply professional skepticism and the curiosity required to provide insightful analysis and reports.
• This position is responsible for handling highly confidential information, requiring an ability to maintain and display high ethical standards, including confidentiality, discretion, and exemplary judgment regarding such information.
• Ability to coordinate projects, tasks and teams; ability to run effective meetings and achieve intended results.
• Ability to take ownership of challenges, identify problems and fix them.
• Ability to follow up on and resolve discrepancies.
• Able to develop actionable recommendations to managers.
• Time management skills -- ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrate a “continuous improvement” mentality; look for ways to do things better, faster, cheaper and/or more effectively.
• Leadership qualities of presence, confidence, judgment, and integrity are required to command the respect and response of colleagues, and senior executive personnel.
• Knowledge of the media or non-profit companies a plus.
• Ability to foster a proactive, anticipatory environment (vs “reacting” to issues/questions).

Reporting To This Position:        None

Physical Demands and Working Conditions:

• Must be able to perform the essential duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Ability to manage some work outside of standard office hours as needed.
• Physical Demands: 
• Required to move about in an office environment and sit for extended periods
• Required to move about in the community
• Frequent use of hands for data entry/keystrokes and simple grasping
• Working Conditions: 
• Moderate noise level

APMG offers a comprehensive benefits package including Medical plans with HSA and FSA options, Dental, Vision, Life and AD&D, Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Paid Parental Leave and Paid Caregiver Leave after 1 year, Vacation (3 wks/per year, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Sick time (12 days, pro-rated, based on hours worked), Holiday Pay (10 holidays + 2 floating holidays each year), Volunteer Time (8 hours per year), Long-Term Care and Critical Illness insurance options, Employee Assistance Program, 403(b) Retirement Plan, and more.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

We are committed to hiring a breadth of diverse professionals and encourage members of diverse groups to apply.