Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations (DC-Region Workday experience)

Overview

Reporting to the Vice President, Shared Services and Risk Management, this Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations role is responsible for financial and contract management systems. The position translates financial data into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making across the Finance organization.

This role partners with Finance leadership to strengthen reporting and analytics capabilities by optimizing financial data structures, systems, and processes. Working with the Business Applications lead in Technology, the role supports the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of systems such as Workday, Adaptive Planning, and Agiloft, including planning, testing, and rollout of enhancements.

Although remote flexibility is available, applicants must live within the DMV region or within a 50-mile radius of National Geographic headquarters.

Responsibilities

Data Administration, Reporting and Process Monitoring (40%)

• Partner with Finance leadership to translate financial data into actionable insights, developing custom Workday and Adaptive Planning reports and dashboards that support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain data integrity and manage/optimize financial system operations to ensure efficient workflows, data accuracy, and alignment across financial applications.
• Partner closely with the Business Applications team and Finance stakeholders to test, implement, and enhance finance-related tools and functionality while following established change management protocols.

Project Leadership & Systems Strategy (20%)

• Serve as project lead to assess existing platforms (Workday, Agiloft, and others) and build a long-term roadmap that drives operational efficiency across core financial systems.
• Proactively identify, recommend, and implement approved AI capabilities and system enhancements that improve financial processes and business operations; document new processes as they are rolled out.
• Identify system interdependencies and clearly communicate business processes, technical considerations, and potential benefits and risks of proposed system changes to Finance leadership.

Cross-Functional Partnership & User Enablement (40%)

• Collaborate with application developers, system administrators, Finance team members, and stakeholders across all levels to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and recommend solutions that support Finance business needs, system initiatives, and user experience.
• Develop and implement organization-wide onboarding and refresher training for finance systems users, including training materials, job aids, and training modules.
• Contribute to broader system-related initiatives and projects as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business. Relevant experience may also be considered; an advanced business degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of finance experience working with ERP and budgeting/planning systems.
• Working knowledge of financial modeling using Workday Financials and other core financial functions (required).
• Experience analyzing and documenting business processes (a plus).

Knowledge and Skills

• Strong understanding of Finance principles, processes, and best practices, with the ability to apply knowledge to systems and reporting decisions.
• Working knowledge of Workday Financials, particularly Core Financials, Accounts Payable, and Cash Management. Exposure to other modules (Assets, Revenue Management, Customer/Supplier Accounts, Banking & Settlement, Expenses) is a plus.
• Experience using or administering Adaptive Insights (or a similar financial planning tool), including building reports, dashboards, and calculated fields.
• Experience with Workday reporting, including designing and maintaining data structures, building custom reports and dashboards, and creating calculated fields.
• Ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization and translate complex business requirements into clear, actionable objectives for diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to identify issues and recommend effective solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced, evolving environment, with a strong customer service mindset and focus on practical, user-centered solutions.
• Ability to lead and execute projects independently from concept to completion.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing and documenting business processes.
• Exposure to Workday modules beyond Core Financials, Accounts Payable, and Cash Management.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: $123,500.00 - $130,000.00.
• Competitive and comprehensive benefits package, including:
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Wellness program
  • 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment
  • Flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave
  • 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (may not apply to all roles required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers)
  • Paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits
  • Learning and development opportunities
  • Lifestyle Spending Account
  • Pet adoption assistance and insurance
  • Pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy
  • Employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit
  • National Geographic discounts and perks

Location

Remote with requirements to live within the DMV region or within a 50-mile radius of National Geographic headquarters.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.