VP, Finance Data Governance

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for the role, VP, Finance Data Governance.

POSITION SUMMARY

The VP, Finance Data Governance, leads the creation and operationalization of our client’s finance data governance function: a critical, net-new capability required to support the finance transformation project and the long-term integrity of our client’s financial data. This leader will develop a roadmap for Master Data Management (MDM) implementation, establish and promulgate standard finance data hierarchies and policies across the enterprise, and build the data quality processes and feedback loops that ensure finance data can be trusted by the business. The role also includes active involvement in the design of the future-state ERP chart of accounts. Significant cross-functional collaboration is required, particularly with IT, enterprise data teams, FP&A, business operations and sales teams, to address collective data challenges and align on common standards.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and lead our client’s finance data governance organization, establishing the operating model, roles, and processes required to sustain ongoing data quality and policy compliance across finance data domains.
• Identify, appoint, and develop a network of finance data stewards across global regions and business lines, ensuring clear ownership and accountability for key finance data domains.
• Establish data quality frameworks, including defined metrics, monitoring processes, and structured feedback loops between finance data consumers and designated finance data stewards.
• Develop and own the MDM implementation roadmap, including vendor selection support, scope definition, and integration with the future-state ERP and finance data hub environment.
• In collaboration with other finance transformation program leaders, define and promulgate standard definitions and data hierarchies (chart of accounts, client, profit center, etc.) to support standard KPI reporting.
• Actively participate in the design of the future-state ERP chart of accounts, ensuring alignment between chart of accounts structure, reporting requirements, and the data governance framework.
• Partner with colleagues in IT, enterprise data architecture, business operations, and sales to address cross-functional data challenges and develop shared standards where applicable.
• Lead the development of finance data policies, including data lineage documentation standards and data classification frameworks that inform data security decisions.
• Represent finance data governance in cross-functional data governance forums and provide finance leadership with clear, outcome-oriented reporting on data quality maturity progress.
• Partner with the VP, Finance Data & Analytics to ensure reporting outputs are built on well-governed, consistently defined data foundations.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• 12 years of experience in finance, data governance, or enterprise data management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role.
• Direct experience designing or implementing a data governance function, including the development of data policies, stewardship networks, and quality frameworks.
• Familiarity with finance data structures — including chart of accounts design, entity hierarchies, and intercompany data flows — in a large, multinational organization.
• Experience with MDM platforms and enterprise data architecture, including experience working with IT partners on data domain design.
• Demonstrated ability to drive alignment across diverse stakeholders in the absence of direct authority.
• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Information Systems, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with cloud-based finance data hubs or enterprise data warehouse environments in a finance context.
• Familiarity with MDM platforms (e.g., Informatica, Oracle MDM).
• Background in ERP implementation with specific responsibility for master data and chart of accounts design.
• Experience in complex, multi-entity, multi-currency operating environments.