The Walt Disney Company
Manager, Financial Systems (Project Hire)
The Walt Disney Company, Glendale, California, us, 91222
The Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire through September 30th, 2027
About the Role & Team
The
Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire (through 9/30/2027)
plays a critical leadership role in the strategic implementation, support, and optimization of financial planning platforms, primarily IBM Cognos/TM1, across the Disney Entertainment, Sports, and Corporate segments. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, adherence to SLAs, and the enablement of accurate and efficient planning cycles.
What You Will Do
As a key liaison between Finance, Technology, and Business stakeholders, this role drives alignment between system capabilities and business needs, ensures compliance with governance and SOX standards, and oversees system testing, training, and enhancement prioritization. The role also supports downstream data integration with other reporting systems to ensure consistency and accuracy across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee Disney Service Provider delivery of support activities
Supervise and enhance support functions to ensure high service quality, fast issue resolution, and SLA compliance
Prioritize and deliver system enhancements based on strategic value and business impact
Collaborate with stakeholders and IT to align technology with evolving business needs
Ensure compliance with company policies, SOX, and industry standards to safeguard financial data
Oversee functional system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
Enablement of financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP), including tool readiness and process controls
Strategy
Maintains an objective financial perspective while considering broader organizational implications
Differentiates between symptoms and root causes to identify meaningful opportunities for system and process improvements
Project Management
Leads medium to large-scale segment projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and system capabilities
Oversees the identification and resolution of functional, operational, and organizational challenges throughout the project lifecycle
Oversees the design, planning, and execution of finance system initiatives, including upgrades and enhancements
Ensures system functionality support evolving business requirements
Leadership
Manages Disney Service Provider team and process owners to maintain overall process effectiveness and drive innovation
Provides guidance and support to ensure successful delivery of complex tasks and initiatives
Process Support & Governance
Applies expert knowledge of financial systems to support compliance and operational integrity
Oversees governance and ensures adherence to company policies
Proactively troubleshoots issues and drives resolution to maintain system reliability and data accuracy
Oversees Service Provider Team to ensure timely and effective delivery of support services to finance users
Communication
Maintains enterprise-wide professional networks to support cross-functional collaboration
Leads brainstorming and planning sessions to address significant issues and align on strategic solutions
Maintains clear and consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment
Required
Qualifications
& Skills
5+ years of management experience in Finance or Accounting, ideally within a large SAP environment
5+ years of experience with enterprise financial planning systems (e.g., Cognos/TM1)
Proficient in BI/reporting tools such as SAP BW, HANA, Tableau, Hyperion Essbase, or PAfE/PAX
Strong background in service delivery and customer support within high-performing organizations
Experience managing budgets, resources, and adapting to shifting business priorities
Solid understanding system controls, financial governance, and SOX compliance
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Financial Systems Expertise
– Deep knowledge of Cognos/TM1 or similar financial planning platforms, with experience in implementation, support, and optimization
Strategic Project Leadership
– Proven ability to lead complex system initiatives and manage financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP) with a focus on business impact
Cross-Functional Collaboration
– Strong partnership skills with Finance, Technology, and Business teams to ensure alignment between system capabilities and evolving needs
Governance & Compliance
– Solid understanding of SOX and financial data governance, with a track record of ensuring compliance across systems and processes
Service Delivery Management
– Experience managing support functions, driving SLA
adherence, and delivering high-quality issue resolution
Testing & Training Oversight
– Skilled in overseeing system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
Data Integration & Accuracy
– Familiarity with downstream reporting systems and data flows to maintain consistency and accuracy across platforms
Analytical Thinking
– Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business requirements into scalable system solutions
Effective Communication
– Clear and confident communicator with the ability to influence decisions and present to senior leadership
Adaptability & Initiative
– Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and driving continuous improvement
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading managers / supervisors and managing vendor service providers
Expertise with complex integrated financial planning models that consists of labor / headcount, overhead, and P&L
Knowledge of GL based financial consolidation, eliminations, and reporting for quarter closes
Experience in using SAP or another ERP
Experience in using Cognos reporting tools, Business Objects, and/or Tableau
Experience using systems designed to manage issues, changes and testing (e.g. Service Now, qTest, ALM, Rational Team Concert)
CPA or CMA license, or equivalent
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Six Sigma certification
Education
Minimum Required
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or related field
Preferred
Graduate Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems or relevant advanced degree preferred
The hiring range for this position in Burbank, California is $137,100.00 to $167,500.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job ID:
10132668
Location:
Glendale,California
Job Posting Company:
The Walt Disney Company (Corporate)
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.
About the Role & Team
The
Manager, Financial Systems-Project Hire (through 9/30/2027)
plays a critical leadership role in the strategic implementation, support, and optimization of financial planning platforms, primarily IBM Cognos/TM1, across the Disney Entertainment, Sports, and Corporate segments. This role ensures high-quality service delivery, adherence to SLAs, and the enablement of accurate and efficient planning cycles.
What You Will Do
As a key liaison between Finance, Technology, and Business stakeholders, this role drives alignment between system capabilities and business needs, ensures compliance with governance and SOX standards, and oversees system testing, training, and enhancement prioritization. The role also supports downstream data integration with other reporting systems to ensure consistency and accuracy across the enterprise.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee Disney Service Provider delivery of support activities
Supervise and enhance support functions to ensure high service quality, fast issue resolution, and SLA compliance
Prioritize and deliver system enhancements based on strategic value and business impact
Collaborate with stakeholders and IT to align technology with evolving business needs
Ensure compliance with company policies, SOX, and industry standards to safeguard financial data
Oversee functional system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
Enablement of financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP), including tool readiness and process controls
Strategy
Maintains an objective financial perspective while considering broader organizational implications
Differentiates between symptoms and root causes to identify meaningful opportunities for system and process improvements
Project Management
Leads medium to large-scale segment projects, ensuring alignment with business goals and system capabilities
Oversees the identification and resolution of functional, operational, and organizational challenges throughout the project lifecycle
Oversees the design, planning, and execution of finance system initiatives, including upgrades and enhancements
Ensures system functionality support evolving business requirements
Leadership
Manages Disney Service Provider team and process owners to maintain overall process effectiveness and drive innovation
Provides guidance and support to ensure successful delivery of complex tasks and initiatives
Process Support & Governance
Applies expert knowledge of financial systems to support compliance and operational integrity
Oversees governance and ensures adherence to company policies
Proactively troubleshoots issues and drives resolution to maintain system reliability and data accuracy
Oversees Service Provider Team to ensure timely and effective delivery of support services to finance users
Communication
Maintains enterprise-wide professional networks to support cross-functional collaboration
Leads brainstorming and planning sessions to address significant issues and align on strategic solutions
Maintains clear and consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment
Required
Qualifications
& Skills
5+ years of management experience in Finance or Accounting, ideally within a large SAP environment
5+ years of experience with enterprise financial planning systems (e.g., Cognos/TM1)
Proficient in BI/reporting tools such as SAP BW, HANA, Tableau, Hyperion Essbase, or PAfE/PAX
Strong background in service delivery and customer support within high-performing organizations
Experience managing budgets, resources, and adapting to shifting business priorities
Solid understanding system controls, financial governance, and SOX compliance
Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
Financial Systems Expertise
– Deep knowledge of Cognos/TM1 or similar financial planning platforms, with experience in implementation, support, and optimization
Strategic Project Leadership
– Proven ability to lead complex system initiatives and manage financial planning cycles (AOP, Forecast, LRP) with a focus on business impact
Cross-Functional Collaboration
– Strong partnership skills with Finance, Technology, and Business teams to ensure alignment between system capabilities and evolving needs
Governance & Compliance
– Solid understanding of SOX and financial data governance, with a track record of ensuring compliance across systems and processes
Service Delivery Management
– Experience managing support functions, driving SLA
adherence, and delivering high-quality issue resolution
Testing & Training Oversight
– Skilled in overseeing system testing, validation, and user training to ensure reliability and adoption
Data Integration & Accuracy
– Familiarity with downstream reporting systems and data flows to maintain consistency and accuracy across platforms
Analytical Thinking
– Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to translate business requirements into scalable system solutions
Effective Communication
– Clear and confident communicator with the ability to influence decisions and present to senior leadership
Adaptability & Initiative
– Comfortable working in a dynamic environment, with a proactive approach to identifying opportunities and driving continuous improvement
Preferred Qualifications
Experience leading managers / supervisors and managing vendor service providers
Expertise with complex integrated financial planning models that consists of labor / headcount, overhead, and P&L
Knowledge of GL based financial consolidation, eliminations, and reporting for quarter closes
Experience in using SAP or another ERP
Experience in using Cognos reporting tools, Business Objects, and/or Tableau
Experience using systems designed to manage issues, changes and testing (e.g. Service Now, qTest, ALM, Rational Team Concert)
CPA or CMA license, or equivalent
Project Management Professional (PMP) or Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)
Six Sigma certification
Education
Minimum Required
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or related field
Preferred
Graduate Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information Systems or relevant advanced degree preferred
The hiring range for this position in Burbank, California is $137,100.00 to $167,500.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job ID:
10132668
Location:
Glendale,California
Job Posting Company:
The Walt Disney Company (Corporate)
The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, email Candidate.Accommodations@Disney.com with your request. This email address is not for general employment inquiries or correspondence. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.