Description
Burns & McDonnell is a 100% employee-owned, global AEC firm with a legacy of delivering critical infrastructure since 1898. Our collaborative, high-performance culture empowers employee-owners to drive innovation and client success.
The Senior Manager Data & AI - Finance will lead finance transformation through AI strategy, data governance, and analytics, managing a team focused on delivering impactful insights.
This role will partner closely with the Managing Director Data & AI - Corporate Business Enablement, to embed enterprise-wide data strategy and AI into finance operations, translating strategic vision into actionable insights that drive business performance.
Company Overview:
Working from more than 75 offices around the world, Burns & McDonnell designs and builds critical infrastructure. Our family of companies - driven by engineers, construction professionals, architects, planners, technologists and scientists - delivers projects grounded in safety and a desire to make a difference as we make our clients successful. Founded in 1898, Burns & McDonnell is 100% employee owned. As employee-owners, we participate in our success as shareholders of our company as we learn and grow alongside our business. We tackle complex challenges with the intent and attention of an owner. It's what brings our clients back, project after project. Our mission is to make our clients successful, and we accomplish this by fostering a collaborative atmosphere where our finance team works directly with the business that we serve. You will be a critical leader of a motivated team in a fast-paced environment where high-performers are valued and rewarded.
Role Overview:
In this role, you will spearhead the creation and implementation of an AI strategy across multiple Finance departments, elevate our data governance practices to ensure high-quality data for decision-making, and lead a team delivering impactful financial analytics and dashboards. This is a high-impact position for a candidate who can blend strategic vision with hands-on execution to drive innovation in our Finance organization.
The Senior Manager Data & AI - Finance will translate enterprise strategic vision and enterprise data architecture into actionable insights, operationalize data governance within Finance, and lead the development of AI-enabled financial reporting and analytics capabilities that drive business performance.
Key Responsibilities:
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AI Strategy Leadership - Develop and execute a multi-year AI roadmap for Finance. Champion the adoption of AI-powered solutions across finance teams to drive efficiency and insights. Empower finance departments to identify opportunities to transform processes and enhance analytics with AI, including generative and agentic AI tools.
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Data Governance Advancement - Own and improve finance data governance. Implement frameworks and policies to ensure data accuracy, consistency, and security. Enhance data quality controls, standardize key data definitions, and ensure compliance with relevant data privacy regulations. Establish clear data ownership and stewardship within Finance. Partner with other stakeholders, including Business Enablement, IT, Transformation, HR, Marketing, etc., to advance Burns & McDonnell's overall data strategy.
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Collaboration & Strategic Alignment - Partner with the Managing Director, Data & AI - Corporate Business Enablement to align Finance data, AI, and reporting initiatives with the enterprise-wide data and AI strategy. Together, these roles will drive the development of a unified, governed data foundation.
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SWOT Analysis - Uncover insights through a targeted finance data/tech SWOT to inform AI and governance priorities.
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Training - Collaborate with Finance leaders to develop and deploy data governance and AI training, tailored to the needs of Finance and consistent with enterprise-wide frameworks.
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Change Management - Together with a cross-functional team of stakeholders, brainstorm, develop, and deploy a change management plan for Finance's AI and data strategies.
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Team Leadership & Analytics Delivery - Lead, mentor, and inspire the Finance Analytics team to create actionable insights for stakeholders across multiple levels, including project, account, division, and company. Set clear goals, prioritize workloads, and ensure timely delivery of analytics projects. Foster a collaborative, high-performance team-oriented culture focused on continuous improvement.
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Finance or Accounting and 11 years of relevant experience in finance, financial reporting, or data analytics required.
3-5 years in a leadership role (i.e., manager or above) preferred.
Proven track record of leading complex projects or teams in a finance or analytics capacity, includes aligning stakeholders and leadership to accomplish a goal.
Strong financial acumen combined with hands-on analytics capabilities.
Proficiency in data analysis and BI tools and working knowledge of databases/SQL.
Solid understanding of data governance principles and experience improving data quality or managing data projects.
Excellent leadership and team management abilities.
Strong communication skills with the capacity to translate analytical insights into business language for senior executives.
Strategic mindset with problem-solving aptitude.
Adaptability and enthusiasm for driving change and innovation in a traditional finance environment.
Major or minor in Data Science/Analytics preferred.
Proven success in implementing analytics initiatives that resulted in cost savings and process improvements is preferred.
Professional certifications in analytics or AI preferred.
Experience developing communication plans, stakeholder engagement strategies, and training programs that support the successful implementation of AI and data governance initiatives preferred.
Certification in Change Management (e.g., Prosci Certified Change Practitioner, CCMP) preferred.
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) preferred.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Accounting/Finance
Primary Location US-MO-Kansas City
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 5 % of the Time
Req ID: 261012
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-MJ #COR N/A
