Team Lead/Product Owner - Planning and Analytic Systems

The Team Lead/Product Owner of Planning and Analytics Systems manages, supports, and evolves the company’s financial consolidation, planning, and analytical systems. This role oversees technical and functional administration, ensuring reliable financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and data analysis tools.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead a team of administrators and support staff responsible for the administration of the financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and data analysis systems.
• Provide coaching, development, and performance management for team members.
• Act as the point of escalation for complex issues in the planning and reporting tools
  landscape.
• Ensure smooth technical and functional operation of consolidation, planning (e.g., IBM Cognos Controller, IBM Planning Analytics -TM1, or equivalents) and analytics platforms (Power BI,
  QlikView, IBM Cognos analytics).
• Oversee user administration, system configuration, performance tuning, and license
  management.
• Coordinate system upgrades, patching, and testing with IT infrastructure and application
  teams.
• Support integrations with other systems.
• Ensure consistency, accuracy, and timeliness of data feeds for consolidation and planning
  processes.
• Collaborate with Finance, Controlling, and Corporate Planning teams to ensure the systems fully support external reporting, group consolidation, management reporting, and planning cycles
  (budgeting, forecasting, long-range planning).
• Drive automation and efficiency in consolidation and planning workflows.
• Facilitate the integration of planning and consolidation data into enterprise analytics platforms like Power BI and QlikView for executive and operational reporting.
• Support Finance and business users with analytical tools for financial decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, audit requirements, and external reporting regulations.
• Maintain proper documentation, process standards, and user guides.
• Continuously assess new features, upgrades, and best practices in planning and consolidation systems.
• Promote advanced analytics, scenario planning, and predictive capabilities within the planning process.

Key Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with financial consolidation and planning tools such as IBM Cognos Controller, IBM Planning Analytics – TM1 (or equivalents).
• Familiarity with reporting/analytics platforms (IBM Cognos Controller, IBM Planning Analytics, QlikView or Power BI).
• Understanding of financial processes (consolidation, budgeting, forecasting).
• Proven ability to lead technical-functional teams.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, especially with Finance leadership.
• Strategic thinking combined with hands-on operational capability.
• Strong problem-solving abilities with a focus on continuous improvement.
• 5+ years of experience in financial systems administration with at least 2 years in a leadership role.
• Experience working in multinational, multi-entity financial environments is desirable.
• Certifications in relevant technologies (IBM Cognos Controller, IBM Planning Analytics, QlikView, Power BI)
• Finance qualifications are a plus.