Lead, Finance Application Systems Transformation (GFAM)

Core Accountabilities (Build / Run / Optimize) 

• BUILD – Functional Design, KT Enablement & Change Delivery (TSA Exit Focus) 

• Act as the functional design authority for finance application configuration, posting logic, integrations, and embedded controls within assigned domain(s) 

• Lead requirements definition and translate finance business needs into clear, testable functional designs and specifications 

• Partner with IT delivery teams to ensure solutions are scalable, controlled, and aligned to finance and audit requirements 

• Lead and support Knowledge Transfer (KT) and TSA Exit enablement within assigned domain(s), ensuring the FAST organization can operate independently 

• Drive creation and quality of foundational operating artifacts where documentation does not exist, including:  

• Runbooks and playbooks for daily, weekly, monthly, and close‑critical activities 

• SOPs, job aids, decision trees, and exception‑handling guidance 

• Documentation and evidence standards aligned to SOX and audit requirements 

• A sustainable documentation repository with ownership and version discipline 

• Support establishment of the operational instrumentation required for a scalable service model, including:  

• Definition of KPIs and metrics for KT progress, readiness, stability, and quality 

• Design and adoption of a case management / intake and logging approach to ensure support interventions are captured, categorized, and traceable 

• Govern functional testing, UAT coordination, and release readiness for finance‑impacting changes 

• Ensure enhancements and projects are delivered with minimal risk to close, controls, and financial reporting 

• Support enterprise initiatives such as entity setup, integrations, system enhancements, and transition‑related stabilization 

• RUN – Operational Stability, Close Readiness & Controls 

• Own functional stability and predictable behavior of finance applications and finance master data within assigned domain(s) 

• Ensure repeatable, high‑quality close outcomes, including cut‑off discipline and defect prevention 

• Safeguard SOX compliance and audit readiness through strong system controls and disciplined execution 

• Serve as the primary functional escalation point for close‑critical, audit‑impacting, or high‑risk finance system or data issues 

• Operate a tiered support and escalation model, including:  

• Incident and defect triage and prioritization 

• Functional root‑cause analysis and impact assessment 

• Validation of fixes prior to deployment 

• Use recurring issue trends and logged intervention data to reduce repeat defects and improve stability over time 

• OPTIMIZE – Simplify, Standardize & Improve 

• Continuously identify opportunities to simplify configuration, reduce manual workarounds, and eliminate unnecessary complexity 

• Drive standardization of finance application and finance master data patterns, controls, and usage 

• Collaborate with Finance, IT, and Data teams to strengthen embedded controls and data quality 

• Support automation, analytics, and AI readiness as outcomes of stable operations and strong data discipline 

• Contribute to FAST roadmap planning, prioritization, and continuous improvement initiatives 

Key Responsibilities 

• Act as second‑line (L2) support following AMS triage, taking ownership of finance system incidents and defects (Operational / Direct)  

• Perform functional analysis, impact assessment, and prioritization of issues, ensuring alignment with business and finance priorities (Tactical / Significant)  

• Coordinate resolution across FAST Leads, IT delivery teams, and AMS providers, ensuring timely and effective outcomes (Tactical / Significant)  

• Ensure close‑critical and control‑impacting issues are identified and escalated appropriately, minimizing risk to financial reporting (Strategic / Major)  

• Track defects and incidents through full lifecycle, ensuring transparency, accountability, and timely resolution (Operational / Direct)  

• Validate system fixes and enhancements prior to release, ensuring issues are resolved without unintended downstream impacts (Tactical / Significant) 

Depending on assignment, a FAST Analyst may be accountable for one or more of the following domains: 

• Accounting‑to‑Report (A2R / Close): GL, close, valuation, FX, intercompany, transfer pricing, and costing system enablement 

• Procure‑to‑Pay (P2P): AP, accruals, liabilities, and P2P‑related close dependencies 

• Order‑to‑Cash (O2C): AR, billing, invoicing, collections, and revenue‑impacting configurations 

• Finance Master Data Enablement: Enablement and control of finance‑relevant attributes (e.g., GL structures, accounting attributes, reference data) aligned to Enterprise MDM standards 

• SOX & Controls: Finance application security, access, segregation‑of‑duties, and audit support 

Essential skills, knowledge, and experience 

• Strong experience in incident management and L2 support within finance systems / JDE environments, specifically JDE. 

• Ability to perform functional impact assessments related to finance processes (e.g., close, controls, reporting)  

• Experience coordinating across AMS, IT delivery, and business stakeholders  

• Understanding of defect lifecycle management and release validation processes  

• Knowledge of finance controls, audit requirements, and close-critical processes 

• Communication requirements 

• Frequent interaction with AMS teams, IT delivery, FAST Leads, and Finance stakeholders  

• Ability to clearly communicate issue impact, prioritization rationale, and resolution status  

• Escalation of high-risk issues to appropriate governance forums 

• Innovation / problem-solving 

• Diagnose and resolve complex cross-functional system issues  

• Identify recurring defects and support preventive improvements and stabilization efforts  

• Improve processes for incident tracking, categorization, and resolution efficiency 

• Knowledge requirements 

• Practical understanding of finance system processes and integrations  

• Familiarity with ticketing systems, defect tracking, and incident workflows  

• Knowledge of SOX/control-sensitive system operations 

• Competences and behaviors 

• Strong analytical thinking and attention to detail  

• Ability to prioritize under pressure, especially during close cycles  

• Effective cross-functional collaboration and coordination  

• Ownership mindset for issue resolution and system stability 

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred 

• 8–12 years of experience in finance systems, JDE enablement, or finance transformation roles 

• Strong understanding of finance processes, accounting principles, close, and internal controls / SOX 

• Hands‑on experience with JDE finance modules and related finance applications 

• Demonstrated ability to drive knowledge transfer, documentation build‑out, and operating discipline in environments with limited existing documentation 

• Proven experience balancing operational stability and change delivery in complex environments 

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, including root‑cause analysis 

• Effective communicator with the ability to partner across Finance, IT, Data, and Controls 

• Experience working in global, matrixed organizations preferred