Director of Strategic Initiatives

Job Summary:

The Director, Strategic Finance Initiatives, will be responsible for leading the modernization and integration of the finance function, building advanced analytics capabilities, and coordinating mergers and acquisitions efforts. This role is critical to driving operational efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and managing our M&A pipeline.

Job Responsibilities:

Finance Transformation

• Assess and redesign the current decentralized finance operating model to improve standardization, efficiency, and scalability.
• Lead the creation and implementation of a “mini-hub” for centralized finance operations (e.g., accounts payable, cost accounting, KPI tracking), starting with a scalable pilot (~50 FTEs) and expanding based on results.
• Lead the development of a “Commercial Finance” capability to provide decision-making support for the Sales organization during contract negotiations.
• Identify and deploy technology and automation tools to streamline transactional processes, especially in resource-constrained locations.
• Develop and execute change management strategies to ensure the successful adoption of new finance processes and structures.

Data Analytics and Insights

• Oversee the development of enterprise-wide data analytics capabilities, moving the organization from descriptive and diagnostic analytics toward predictive and prescriptive insights.
• Implement modern analytics platforms (e.g., Tableau) to automate data capture, visualization, and reporting.
• Partner with operational and finance teams to ensure analytics tools deliver actionable insights that drive business performance.
• Lead training and capability-building initiatives to foster a culture of curiosity, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision-making.

Mergers and Acquisitions Coordination

• Lead end-to-end financial strategy and execution for mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and joint ventures, ensuring alignment with corporate growth objectives.
• Manage financial due diligence processes, including valuation modeling, risk assessment, and synergy analysis to support informed decision-making.
• Partner with legal, tax, treasury, and business unit leaders to structure deals, negotiate terms, and drive integration planning.
• Monitor industry trends and identify potential acquisition targets through financial analysis and competitive benchmarking.
• Oversee financial integration activities, including reporting alignment, performance tracking, and realization of deal value.

Experience

• 10 years of progressive leadership experience in finance transformation, analytics, and/or project management.
• Demonstrated success in leading large-scale change initiatives in complex, multi-site organizations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong knowledge of finance operations, shared services, and analytics tools.
• Proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams across multiple disciplines.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and change leadership skills.

Supervisor Responsibilities:

• This role is a Leader of People role and will manage a team with two or more full-time employees

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Business, or related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to typical risks of injury in an office environment.
• Duties include a typical office setting, including extensive computer work, sitting or standing.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must adhere to the company’s Code of Conduct and all other policies.

Safety Requirements:

• Follows all departmental and company safety policies and programs.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Wayne-Sanderson does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, gender (sex), sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, citizenship status, a person’s veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law or executive order.