Financial Systems Senior Manager - U.S. Based Remote Opportunity

ABOUT US

Do you have a passion for higher education? Do you want to make a positive impact on the college admissions process? Our staff help to remove barriers and encourage students to forge their path to a better future. Common App is a national not-for-profit organization dedicated to the pursuit of access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Each year we support more than 1 million students, one-third of whom are first-generation, as they apply to our more than 1100 diverse member colleges & universities using the Common App's free online application. 

If you are an experienced enterprise systems professional and want to be part of a mission-driven non-profit that uses innovative technology to advance the college admission process, Common App may be a great match for you. Common App is currently searching for a Financial Systems Manager. 

RESPONSIBILITIES

As a member of the Financial Planning & Analysis team, reporting to the Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, the Financial Systems Senior Manager is responsible for owning the roadmap and optimization of our financial systems by improving cross-system integration and streamlining reporting; this role ensures the infrastructure provides a scalable, high-performance foundation to support our long-term growth and potential move to a more unified ERP platform. This role will direct the cross-functional coordination of finance, procurement, contracts, and HCM modules to ensure seamless data flow between talent management, purchasing, and core financials. This role will support the successful selection, implementation, and execution of a more unified system architecture for Common App, including enhancements, fixes, and process improvements. This position provides strategic leadership and manages the intake, prioritization, and resource allocation related to enhancements and system projects. This position partners with leaders and others to provide consultation and to proactively identify opportunities to better leverage existing systems and technologies, explore new technologies and systems, and develop innovative solutions to problems to help improve quality, timeliness, efficiency, and cost.

The role will be responsible for developing and executing long-term strategies for unified systems to support organizational goals. This includes evaluating new technologies, improving system capabilities, and ensuring that systems evolve in line with the company’s strategic vision.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

This role requires:

• Candidates must live in the United States.
• Willing to travel to attend twice annual Common App Retreat.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• 8-10 years of experience in project or program management experience, including full-cycle ERP, or similar, implementations from selection or requirements phase through go-live.
• Experience managing projects with phased delivery models encompassing requirements, configuration, testing, and cutover.
•  Proficiency with project management tools (e.g., Google Suite, Smartsheet, or equivalent) and remote collaboration platforms (e.g., Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, Slack).
• Ability to work independently and drive accountability in a fully remote environment.
• Comprehensive ERP industry knowledge with an in depth understanding of system implementation including, but not limited to, requirement review, solution/design review, system training, cutover and go live activities.
• Experience coordinating implementations involving HCM integration (e.g., ADP, Workday, Paylocity) alongside core financials.
• Attention to Detail: Executes their financial analysis with a high standard of precision and accuracy.
• Expertise: Maintains a proactive pulse on industry benchmarks and emerging frameworks, consistently integrating best practices to improve systemic efficiency.
• Leadership: Exhibits leadership qualities by guiding and mentoring team members.

• Decision Making: Facilitates a structured decision-making process by evaluating trade-offs, consulting subject matter experts, and leveraging data analysis to ensure long-term scalability. 

• Analytic Skills: Ability to think objectively and interpret meaningful themes from quantitative and qualitative data and strong stewardship of confidential and/or sensitive information.
• Adaptability: Ensures effective performance when faced with ambiguity, changing environments, and demands.
• Financial Acumen: Core accounting knowledge around financial statements and GAAP in order to align system workflows.
• Business Acumen: Ability to evaluate financial and business indicators and translate data into actionable information to drive results.
• Domain knowledge: Familiarity with finance, procurement, and HCM modules relevant to a nonprofit operating environment, including grant management, remote workforce administration, and AP automation.
• Strategic Execution & Planning: Planning and Priority Setting: Demonstrates an ability to set objectives and goals and organize work appropriately to meet and exceed goals. Includes the capacity to both think strategically and execute tactically, embodying a blend of technical, creative, business, and communication skills.
• Relationship Management: Ability to build constructive and effective relationships with a broad and diverse group of business partners.
• Cross-Functional Leadership: Demonstrates ability to manage cross-functional teams in complex, distributed organizational environments.
• Change Management: Strong organizational change management skills, including experience maintaining stakeholder alignment when not all requirements can be met.
• Communications: Effective written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated ability to prepare and deliver management-level reporting.

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA), Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), or equivalent certification.
• Grant and/or government contracting financial modeling and reporting experience. 
• Experience managing ERP implementations in nonprofit, association, or mission-driven organizations.
• Background in healthcare EMR deployments or similarly complex, multi-stakeholder technology programs is considered strong preparation for this role.
• PMP or equivalent project management certification.
• Prior experience as an internal ERP program owner who remained engaged post-go-live in a systems governance capacity.
• Strong analytical/modeling skills and experience executing budgeting and strategic planning processes for complex financial reporting organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of how different modules—Finance (FICO), Human Capital (HCM), Procurement and CRM—interact.
• Familiarity with APIs, Middleware (like MuleSoft), and EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) to ensure the financial systems talk to third-party apps. 
• Influencing and Negotiation: Ability to influence at all levels, as well as demonstrated ability to work effectively within a team and be assertive in driving successful management strategies.
• Presentation Skills: Effective in a variety of presentation settings (one-on-one, small, and large groups) and with peers and management team members.
• Problem-Solving & Decision Quality: Encourages innovation and is able to use rigorous logic and methods to solve problems with effective, efficient, and creative solutions. 

PAY RANGE

• $131,040 - $147,420

Benefits

Common App is a virtual first environment. We value our employees’ time and efforts. Our commitment to your success is enhanced by our competitive salary and an extensive benefits package including: 

• Work-Life balance
• Virtual-first office
• Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Seven company-wide holidays
• Nine floating holidays*
• Sick leave
• Monthly mental health day

*floating holidays prorated depending on start date

• Virtual-first support
• Choice of PC of MAC laptop
• May choose an external monitor, keyboard, mouse, and/or headset
• One-time office set-up stipend
• Monthly remote work stipend
• Monthly mobile stipend
• Financial security
• Market-based salaries
• Performance-based bonus
• 403(b) retirement plan
• 5% company contribution
• additional 5% company match
• 3-year vesting schedule
• Participation may begin immediately
• Health & wellness
• Choice of two health insurance plans
• Health Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
• Medical Flexible Savings Account, depending on health plan selection
• Vision insurance
• Dental insurance
• Insurance coverage begins on the date of hire
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Maven virtual clinic for women’s and family health
• Company provided life and ad&d insurance
• Opportunity to purchase additional life insurance for self, spouse, and dependents
• Company provided short and long-term disability insurance
• Career development
• Budgeted annual funds for professional development
• Growth opportunities within the company
• Additional perks
• Mutual of Omaha Employee Assistance Program
• Mutual of Omaha will preparation services
• Mutual of Omaha travel assistance
• Payroll dedication pet insurance through PinPaws
• 1Password family account

We work to maintain the best possible environment for our staff, where people can learn and grow. We strive to provide a diverse, collaborative, team-oriented, creative environment where each person feels encouraged to contribute to our processes, decisions, planning, and culture.

HOW DO I APPLY

To apply for this opportunity, send your resume and cover letter with salary expectations.

PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION:

During the recruiting process, please note that Common App will never:

• Provide a job offer without an interview
• Ask for payment to process documents, purchase equipment or for any other reason
• Request banking or credit card information
• Direct you to third-party services to obtain visas or other documentation

As we work alongside you through our recruitment process, please remain alert and never provide financial information or payment to anyone claiming to offer a job opportunity.

If you believe you’re a victim of a job scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state attorney general. To learn more about job scams, read the FBI’s public service announcement or visit the FTC site.