Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Our client is a leading international law firm with over 40 offices across 20 countries wordwide.

Currently they are looking to add a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to their Finance department. This is a newly created role and will report directly into the US CFO.

This is a hybrid opportunity based out of their Midtown, Manhattan offices.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing financial projections for lateral partners and other investments and involved in a range of projects that are designed to improve the efficiency and agility of the firm.
• Developing relationships with senior finance staff to improve efficiencies, financial analysis models and processes.
• Managing the three-year investment planning cycle for all US offices and updating practice group forecasts on an ongoing basis.
• Monitoring and reporting progress against targets at US, practice group and fee earning department levels and drafting short commentaries.
• Managing the three-year investment planning cycle for all US offices and updating practice group forecasts on an ongoing basis as circumstances change including headcount movements, productivity levels, and recoveries etc.
• Providing (i) timely accurate and relevant financial information for decision-making, (ii) profitability forecasting based on multiple levers/potential outcomes, (iii) influencing or offering advice to optimize the desired outcome.
• Reviewing the annual income, headcount, and equity budgets across all US practice groups and ensuring buy in from the practices and management.
• Monitoring and reporting progress against targets at US, practice group and fee earning department levels and reviewing targeted monthly commentaries on results.
• Management of the US annual partner compensation process including setting the US timetable, reviewing supporting documentation prepared by team members and working with practice heads and management to complete and sign off.
• Ensure team members have a detailed understanding of individual partners and departmental practices and their clients.
• Providing training and mentoring on to partners and internal candidates in the partnership selection process to improve their financial nous and performance.
• Delivery, design, and preparation of financial presentations and one-off financial analyses as required to support the CFO and firm management.
• Provide financial support for internal and external client meetings, determine the nature of the meeting, and provide succinct financial reports to facilitate discussions and pre-empt queries by applying knowledge from prior engagements to identify and mitigate potential risks.
• Develop strong working relationships across multiple divisions including Pricing, Legal, Commercial teams as well as Partners and attorneys.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience including a management responsibilities in a law firm or professional services firm environment
• Bachelor's Degree (Finance, Accounting, Economics or equivalent); MBA or similar a plus
• Excellent communication skills (writing and verbal)
• Proactive self-starter
• Ability to clearly explain complex issues to both financial and non financial stakeholders
• Advanced PowerPoint and Excel skills with experience working with large volumes of data in Excel and being able to manipulate this to enable effective decision making and influencing.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and manage high and varied workloads.
• Some travel may be required.

Competitive compensation commensurate with experience & excellent benefits.