Position Type: Contract
Contract Rate: $90.00–$100.00/hr
Location: Chicagoland candidates only – hybrid 2 to 3 days per week on-site at Willis Tower and/or Arlington Heights
Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Finance Transformation Program Manager to lead the end-to-end execution of complex finance programs, projects, and portfolio initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Enterprise PMO, this individual will ensure transformation efforts align with strategic business priorities, financial objectives, expected ROI, and organizational OKRs.
The ideal candidate is a well-rounded program leader with strong accounting and finance experience—not a heavily IT- or construction-focused project manager. This role requires someone who can manage multimillion-dollar cross-functional initiatives, establish governance, navigate ambiguity, and translate financial strategy into practical operational execution.
Key Responsibilities
Lead Finance Transformation Programs: Manage the full lifecycle of finance transformation programs and projects, ensuring alignment with strategic goals, business priorities, ROI expectations, and OKRs.
Manage Programs and Portfolios: Build and maintain project plans, integrated schedules, budgets, milestones, constraints, risks, dependencies, and resource requirements using Smartsheet.
Drive Cross-Functional Execution: Partner with finance, technology, and business stakeholders to define scope, resolve issues, manage critical-path activities, and coordinate interdependent workstreams.
Establish Governance and Accountability: Create effective governance structures, set priorities, clarify ownership, and actively engage stakeholders throughout program execution.
Manage Risks and Dependencies: Proactively identify, monitor, escalate, and resolve risks, issues, resource constraints, and cross-project dependencies before they affect delivery.
Support Technology and Process Transformation: Conduct system mapping and analysis, identify process improvements, and support proof-of-concept initiatives and controlled soft launches.
Lead Change and Communication Planning: Develop communication, training, process, procedure, and organizational change-management plans that support successful implementation and adoption.
Report Portfolio Performance: Create clear project and portfolio updates for project teams, stakeholders, and executive leadership, including progress, financial performance, risks, benefits, and required decisions.
Target Candidate Profile & Qualifications
Finance Transformation Leadership: 8+ years of program, project, and portfolio management experience focused on finance transformation, technology integration, or large-scale finance operations.
Accounting and Finance Background: Prior mid-level accounting or finance experience with the ability to translate financial strategy into operational plans and measurable outcomes.
Large-Scale Program Management: Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional projects, programs, or portfolios valued at $2 million or more.
Finance Systems Knowledge: Familiarity with enterprise finance platforms such as EPM, Oracle, Workday, Anaplan, or comparable financial systems.
Smartsheet Proficiency: Strong experience using Smartsheet to manage project plans, milestones, schedules, reporting, risks, and dependencies.
Executive Stakeholder Management: Strong executive presence with the ability to influence senior leaders, resolve conflict, actively listen, and align stakeholders with competing priorities.
Strategic and Tactical Thinking: Ability to understand the broader business objective while maintaining strong attention to tactical details, execution requirements, and project controls.
Adaptability and Organization: Highly organized and comfortable operating in dynamic, ambiguous environments with shifting priorities, timelines, and business demands.
Communication Skills: Clear and concise written and verbal communication skills, particularly when translating complex financial or technical concepts for varied audiences.
Education and Technical Skills: Bachelor’s degree required, along with strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, and Word.
Nice-to-Haves
ERP Transformation Experience: Experience supporting or leading major ERP or enterprise finance-system transformations.
Aviation Industry Experience: Prior experience working in aviation, transportation, or another complex operational environment.
Process and Change Management: Background in process improvement, organizational change management, training, or business transformation.
Professional Certifications: PMP, PfMP, Green Belt, or Lean Six Sigma certification.
Additional Tools and Methods: Exposure to Agile delivery practices, Microsoft Teams, and Microsoft Visio.
Minimal Travel: Ability to accommodate limited business travel of approximately 10% when needed.
Program Manager IV
Contract
Chicago