Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Overview

The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis partners with departments across the organization to evaluate key metrics, assess assumptions, and develop financial models that support forecasting and capital planning. This role leads the company’s financial planning processes, including the annual budgeting cycle, ongoing forecasting, and variance analysis against budget, prior year, and projections while providing recommendations to enhance business performance. The Director also delivers monthly and quarterly reporting and variance analysis for the CFO and COO, while supporting special projects and strategic financial analyses as needed.

• Analyzes financial and operational results vs. forecast, prior year and budget; investigates significant variances, develops corrective actions and communicates findings to department leaders. (Essential)
• Coordinates the annual budget process and consolidates the results; provides budget information related to all areas of responsibility. Presents budgeted operating and sales results, cash needs and projected funds from operations. (Essential)
• Produces forward-looking, insightful and actionable performance analyses. (Essential)
• Provides insightful financial analyses and presentations to and for senior leadership to contribute to their effectiveness in managing and communicating operational and financial performance, opportunities, and issues within their functional area. (Essential)
• Identifies key business drivers and tracks performance against measures; challenges status quo and updates reports to show insightful, relevant and actionable data. (Essential)
• Coordinates team member selection and development and ensures team members comply with appropriate policies and procedures.
• Reviews known and pending transactions for impact to FFO, NOI and other key metrics.
• Provides analysis of models created by the sell-side analysts for recommendations to Investor Relations Group.
• Works closely with Accounting and Acquisition team members to determine analytical support needs and data required to build reliable metrics, business cases and financial models.
• Responds to requests for FFO implications and budgeting/forecasting questions in a timely manner; addresses all questions related to the budget.
• Prepares monthly and quarterly analysis; provides quarterly confirmation of FFO and same property calculations.
• Participates in the development of models and analyses to aid in the validation of existing forecasts.
• Supports strategic initiatives and assists with reviewing critical financial decisions including monitoring and reporting on key performance metrics and trend analysis.
• Stays current on industry practices and issues, assessing and communicating their potential impact on the business.
• Maintains in-depth knowledge of all financial applications within the financial planning & analysis team and understanding of data relations and interdependencies.
• Acquires key knowledge of business partners' strategies and operations; proactively anticipates and responds to environmental shifts.
• Other duties and special projects as assigned.

• Bachelor's Degree in Finance or Accounting (Required)
• 10+ years in financial analysis experience (Required)
• 3 years in a supervisory role (Required)
• 6 months in experience in the real estate industry (Preferred)
• 6 months in prior experience with budgeting software conversion project (Preferred)
• Demonstrated leadership abilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of multiple budgeting techniques and tools
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Strong organizational, analytical, multitasking and problem solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with competing deadlines
• Working knowledge of data warehouses; ability to identify requisite data and their potential sources
• Advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel and accounting/budgeting software programs
• Must have a valid driver's license
• Preferred Certifications/Licensures: CPA or other professional certifications

At Sun Communities, you will be part of an industry-leading organization where you will be challenged, inspired, rewarded and transformed. We place a high…