VP of IOA and ISG

Cognizant is a Fortune 500 company and is one of the world s leading professional services companies. Our unique industry-based, consultative approach helps clients in most industries and geographies envision, build, and run more innovative and efficient businesses. We are a global firm with offices in over 30 countries and an ever-growing team of 350,000+ employees with an upbeat, proven outstanding sales team with a high-reaching growth trajectory.

The Role

The role is an Executive-level business adviser and strategist adept at handling critical finance functions like strategic planning, building operational plans and influencing their implementation along with budgeting, forecasting, managing deliverables for business president and COO along with driving commercial pricing, quarterly business reviews, and overall P&L management for a large, matrixed multinational corporation.

Intuitive Operations and Automation (IOA) helps clients reinvent their operating models, achieving hyper agility in core business processes by harnessing automation and intelligent, on-demand platforms and utilities. AI is a core tenant of our IOA business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Business Partner serves as a key member of the IoA and ISG (vertical industries) leadership team in developing and implementing transformational business plans.

o Experience driving a multi-business business before as a finance leader

o Track record of success in the BPO and Tech Services practice areas

o Implement a profit improvement plan and work across all stakeholders

Acts as a thought leader by providing analytical insight and perspective to leadership.

o Oversee development of strategic plans and operating budgets, while ensuring optimal coaching of the finance team throughout

o Lead the development of future financial strategies; establish annual financial goals; monitor and analyze performance against these objectives.

Drive the rhythm of finance function with an emphasis on clear governance

o Support the management of cost centers, sales and the practice KPIs and commission plans and work with other Service Lines (SL) in deal pursuits

o Engage and work with delivery finance on our cost of delivery envelope and the impact on Practice and competitiveness

o Support SGA cost management to help prioritize investments and optimize ROI

Operational Finance partner with the SL leadership team to monitor and manage operating units through participation in operating reviews, budget and forecasting reviews. Work with SL leadership and their teams to drive growth and value creation along with deciding on investment priorities using an ROI approach

o Markets (BUs) engage customers in a two-in-the box-go-to-market with delivery. Ensure the sales and revenue goals of the Markets correspond to SLs and resolve interlock questions

Balance stakeholder interests and align top-line performance goals with cost of delivery, resulting in an operating model with predictable bottom-line results

Pricing & Commercials ; manage pricing function for the business thereby creating a differentiated commercial approach and value proposition. Help drive contract negotiations and commercial structuring of the deals. Develop oversight mechanisms and reporting to monitor pricing, ensuring adherence to the deal review & approval process.

Build capabilities and lead a global team dispersed across time zones and geographies to drive results for the business. Provide strong leadership in the recruitment, training, and development of top-quality financial talent to ensure the finance organization has a high level of performance and productivity. Instill a culture that emphasizes accountability and transparency amongst the finance team

Build professional relationships and become a trusted advisor to the core stakeholders

Coach and mentor the team for a role-based organization and ensure regular and open communications

Mandatory Capabilities/Skills /Years of Experience

Domain/Industry (Mandatory) & Years of Experience (Mandatory)

15-20+ years of experience in Business Finance roles within a large, matrixed organization with operations in multiple geographies.

Previous experience within a large, global, highly matrixed corporate environment

Knowledge of various IT technologies, impact on industry verticals, demand and supply

Technology Skills (Mandatory) & Functional capabilities (Optional)

Deep Understanding of finance sub-functions, financial statements, planning, budgeting, and forecasting process, organizational structure, and key responsibilities

Experience in managing deal pricing and contract negotiations

Data driven Embraces data-driven decision-making and creates insight from quantitative data

Familiar with enterprise level ERP systems (Hyperion, Oracle, SAP etc.)

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES Desirable Qualifications Include

High Energy and Inspirational Leader Capable of leading the finance function through people, process, and systems changes. Demonstrated ability to implement a high-performance culture across an organization and have a strong mindset on cost controls and the balance of onshore vs offshoring.

Hands-on Leadership Style Leads by doing , without micro-managing. Proven talent developer and talent attractor who cultivates talent (teaches by example). Demonstrated ability to inspire and lead a team and implement programs that attract and develop talent and organizational capabilities.

Team-Oriented and Collaborative Business Partner Proven track record of successfully working with senior leadership and as a business partner with a top management team; builds trusting and effective relationships with leaders across the enterprise.

Strong Communicator A confident businessperson who is professionally secure in themselves, assertive, but a listener first, with little ego. A credible communicator that gains the confidence of key stakeholders (internal and external)

Support the negotiation of deals at client sites.

Always proactive

Ability to present business plans to CEO and directs

Possesses project management skills - can evaluate project progress while ensuring alignment with project budget

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