Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations (DC Region)

How You’ll Contribute

Reporting to the Vice President, Shared Services and Risk Management, the Sr. Manager, Finance Systems Operations will be a key resource for financial and contract management systems, translating financial data into actionable insights that support strategic decision-making across the Finance organization.

This role partners closely with Finance leadership to strengthen reporting and analytics capabilities, optimizing financial data structures, systems and processes to deliver meaningful insights and support strategic decision making. Working collaboratively with the Finance team and the Business Applications lead in Technology, this person will support the implementation, maintenance, and continuously improving systems such as Workday, Adaptive Planning, and Agiloft, including planning, testing, and rolling out enhancements.

The ideal candidate is someone who can identify practical, creative solutions that support Finance's goals and align with NG Next strategic priorities.

**Although this role offers remote flexibility, applicants are required to live within the DMV region or within a 50-mile radius of National Geographic headquarters.**

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include

Data Administration, Reporting and Process Monitoring (40%)

• Partner with Finance leadership to translate financial data into actionable insights, developing custom Workday and Adaptive Planning reports and dashboards that support strategic decision-making.
• Maintain data integrity Manage and optimize financial system operations to ensure efficient workflows, data accuracy, and alignment across financial applications.
• Partner closely with the Business Applications team and Finance stakeholders to test, implement and enhance finance-related tools and functionality while following established change management protocols.

Project Leadership & Systems Strategy (20%)

• Act as project lead in assessing existing platforms (Workday, Agiloft, and others) to build a long-term roadmap that drives operational efficiency across core financial systems.
• Proactively identify, recommend and implement approved AI capabilities and system enhancements that improve financial processes and business operations while documenting new processes as they're rolled out.
• Identify system interdependencies and clearly communicate business processes, technical considerations and the potential benefits and risks of proposed system changes to the Finance leadership team.

Cross-Functional Partnership & User Enablement (40%)

• Collaborate with application developers, system administrators, Finance team and stakeholders across all levels of organization to gather requirements, troubleshoot issues, and recommend solutions that supports Finance's business need, system initiatives and user experience
• Develop and implement organizational-wide onboarding and refresher training for finance systems users including training materials, job aids, and training modules to support effective use of financial systems.
• Contribute to broader system-related initiatives and projects as assigned.

What You will Bring

Education Background

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or Business. Relevant experience may also be considered; an advanced business degree is a plus.

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

5+ years of finance experience working with ERP and budgeting/planning systems. Working knowledge of financial modeling using Workday Financials and other core financial functions is a must have. Experience analyzing and documenting business processes is a plus.

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Strong understanding of Finance principles, processes and best practices with the ability to combine knowledge to systems and reporting decisions.
• Working knowledge of Workday Financials, particularly Core Financials, Accounts Payable, and Cash Management. Exposure to other modules (Assets, Revenue Management, Customer/Supplier Accounts, Banking & Settlement, Expenses) is a plus, but not required.
• Experience using or administering Adaptive Insights (or a similar financial planning tool), including building reports, dashboards, and calculated fields.
• Experience with Workday reporting including designing, maintaining data structures, building custom reports, dashboards and creating calculated fields.
• Experience collaborating across all levels of the organization able to translate complex business requirements into clear, actionable objectives for diverse stakeholders.
• Excellent analytical and communications skills, with the ability to identify issues and recommend effective solutions.
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a fast-paced evolving environment. Strong customer service mindset with a focus on delivering practical user-centered solutions.
• Able to lead and execute projects independently from concept to completion.

Supervision

None

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The salary range for this position is $123,500.00 - $130,000.00.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

Remote - Our Remote designation includes staff who must work in another location in the U.S. or abroad, such as our regional leads for our Education and International teams or regional fundraisers in Advancement. Staff may also be designated as Remote by their supervisors (with approval by the Senior Team lead) because of their job duties, and are afforded this status when it is beneficial to NGS, their respective team, and the employee.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.

About Us

Who We Are

The National Geographic Society uses the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to illuminate and protect the wonder of our world.

Our mission is only complete when our staff, explorers, educators, youth and partners are seen, valued, and heard. We embrace each person’s identity, experiences, and abilities, and we commit to cultivating an environment where everyone benefits from opportunity, mutual respect and a sense of belonging.

National Geographic's headquarters is located in the heart of Washington, D.C. We offer our employees a comprehensive benefits package, including health and dental benefits, generous vacation and parental leave time, a 401(k) plan, flexible work options, and career development.