Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

Reporting to the Senior Director, Business Support - Loyalty Programs, FBP BMSC, the Director will play an integral role in providing financial leadership and analytical support to the Loyalty Programs (e.g. Marriott Rewards/The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, Starwood Preferred Guest) ensuring MI’s financial statements (+$4B liability, +$2B in annual revenues) accurately reflect the financial state of the program; contributing to the  financial health and stability and enabling the achievement of the programs’ financial goals and objectives.  He / She will partner with the FBP BMSC leadership team and BMSC business leaders in the development of financial and operational business strategies and plans to support the ongoing fiscal needs and responsibilities of the Loyalty Programs.

The Director will serve as a subject matter expert on financial matters related to the Loyalty Programs and will lead efforts to compile, analyze and translate data into actionable financial information for use by the Senior Director, Loyalty Programs and in support of the programs financial objectives for the BMSC team, Continents and other key stakeholders.  The primary focus of this position is to manage the multiple items that comprise the Loyalty program operating statement including the Marriott Rewards, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, and Starwood Preferred Guest.  Specifically, the Director will: manage the annual operating and initiative budget process ($400M+), monthly financial statements analysis, monthly forecast process, ongoing supplemental budget request process, cashflow statements projections and long range plan ($2B annually) process for the Loyalty programs. 

The Director will support departmental objectives. He/She will assist execution of the programs and enhancement of systems and processes that support key objectives to achieve the goals of these programs for Marriott and add value.  He/She will therefore be adept at tapping diverse sources of information, identifying opportunities, anticipating challenges, and executing strategies to deliver against this objective.

•  Partner with the Sr Director for maintenance and ongoing development of the Marriott Rewards financial models, ensuring program policies are designed to align overall program costs and benefits, maintain the financial viability of the program and to meet the objectives of the Marriott Rewards, Global Sales & Marketing team.
• Provide financial oversight for the Loyalty Financial Statements including monthly GAAP P&L (alternative to fund accounting), monthly cashflow statement and monthly full year forecast. 
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of data and reports produced, through the systemic monitoring of key performance measures and the auditing of key reports on a sampling basis.  Identify unusual financial and process performance trends, and investigate and resolve any problems and/or inconsistencies as appropriate.
• Develop and implement project cost-like tracking for Marketing and Initiative costs to assist Loyalty business in managing $300M of $400M annual budget. 
• Contribute knowledge of the business environment in BMSC and interpret data and reports in consultation with the FBP-BMSC leadership team and discipline leaders as appropriate, to ensure the completeness and accuracy of financial information, explain trends and/or variations in results vs. expectations, and develop and implement actionable recommendations and responses to address identified business challenges and opportunities.
• Lead the production of monthly reporting of operating results and forecast for Loyalty Programs, providing operational and proactive trend analyses.
• Oversee and manage the annual budget and forecasting process for the Loyalty Programs.  Partner closely with the Loyalty business team, Continent representatives and other bmsc teams to develop the annual initiative and operating budgets, then consolidate and validate the costs of the Loyalty Programs. 
• Oversee and manage the Supplement Budget Request process for Loyalty, including: partnering with Loyalty, bmsc Planning & Services and other bmsc leaders to identify accurate funding methodology and source for request and generation of monthly schedules to support Loyalty Funding Governance meeting. 
• Serve as a subject matter expert on all financial matters related to the Loyalty Programs.  He / She must have a strong working knowledge of the program infrastructure and must be able to clearly articulate the financial implications of any proposed changes or adjustments to it.  The Director will manage ad-hoc financial analysis as required by the Continents, Global Finance, bmsc teams or other key stakeholders in response to requests to evaluate Owner impacts or inquiries, proposed program enhancements, tax matters or other areas of concern.
• Partner with Loyalty business team to develop and operationalize the appropriate financial controls and administrative cost monitoring, reporting and control systems to ensure that MI financials accurately reflect the Loyalty Programs’ costs incurred and forecast of projected spend.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Program leaders to provide guidance and/or consultation in the development and implementation of strategies to improve financial and operational performance and owner transparency.
• Support Loyalty Partnership team in the maintenance of existing partner agreements and the development of new agreements, including business case analysis evaluating program impact of renewed or new partnership, review of all Loyalty contractual agreements and manage new partner integration processes. 
• Partner with the team in Salt Lake City to ensure strong ongoing communications and seamless flow of information.
• Liaison with the Continents, Corporate Tax and the FBP organization to (1) ensure business requirements for Loyalty tax status are maintained and (2) assist in the coordination and collection of tax refunds including VAT.
• Develop a high performing team of senior finance professionals who can effectively partner with key business leaders, at various organizational levels, on strategic financial issues.
•  Set goals and expectations for direct reports using the Leadership Performance Process (LPP) and holds staff accountable for successful performance; coaches team by providing specific feedback to improve performance; conducts annual performance appraisal with direct reports; and ensures the same occurs at lower levels of his/her organization. Partner with Human Resources to strengthen the organization performance by ensuring effective structures, processes, jobs, and tools are in place for associates to do their jobs effectively.
• Maintain effective analysis, control and reporting processes.  Analyze actual performance of costs and cost recoveries against budget identifying major exceptions predicted effect on annual budget results and corrective action. Communicate financial impact of programs to stakeholders on a period basis.  Maintain effective financial reporting systems.
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with program team and other key stakeholders to understand the business, ensure timely exchange of actionable financial information and customer satisfaction

The Director will work as part of the Loyalty Programs’ leadership team to drive execution of the programs and enhancement of systems and processes that support this key objective to achieve the goals of these programs for Marriott and add value.  He/She must therefore be adept at tapping diverse sources of information, identifying profitable opportunities, anticipating challenges, and devising and executing breakthrough strategies to deliver against this objective.

• Minimum of 6 years relevant professional experience including knowledge of accounting principles and practices.
• Understanding of Marriott management and franchisee contracts strongly preferred.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills; effective problem-solving skills.
• Ability to organize and interpret complex, detailed financial information and present analytical results in manner appropriate for senior management decision-making (both orally and in writing, in memos or presentation format)
• Ability to manage multiple projects, and work both independently and as part of a team to include supervising staff. 
• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to maintain effective relationships with internal and external customers
• Exceptional communication skills, creating an environment allowing timely information flows throughout the organization
• Comfortable with complexity, ambiguity and change.
• Critical thinking and ability to challenge the business and create value and minimize risk for the company.
• Trustworthy with strong business integrity and ability to hold sensitive information in confidence.
  

Education and Professional Certification

• Baccalaureate degree in Finance, Accounting or related discipline required