Global Financial Strategist

Mayer Brown LLP is a leading global law firm with offices in 27 key business centers across the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. We are a collegial, collaborative, and diverse firm where highly motivated individuals with an unwavering commitment to excellence receive the opportunity, support, and development they need to grow, thrive, and realize their greatest potential.

If you enjoy working with team members whose defining characteristics are achievement, initiative, professionalism, responsiveness, and adaptability, you may be the person we are seeking to join our Accounting & Analysis Department in any of our U.S. office locations as a Global Financial Strategist.

The Global Financial Strategist leads the production of consolidated firm-wide reporting package delivered to Practice Leaders and other Firm management. Leads the global profitability improvement plan initiative in cooperation with the Managing Partner.

• Acts as a primary point of contact to the Managing Partner as he leads the Firm’s Profitability Improvement Plan initiative. Participates in strategic planning meetings with top level Firm management (CFO, Managing Partner, Global Practice Leaders, and members of the Management Committee)
• Sets the agenda for such meetings, track progress and keep all parties informed of progress on action items
• Develops new reporting tools necessary to track and measure performance against continually refined strategic goals
• Leads the production of consolidated firm wide reporting package delivered to Practice Leaders and other Firm management
• Develops and maintains reporting tools and business process improvement programs from conception to completion, including securing business support for projects
• Participates in FP&A team initiatives to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and breadth of the team’s capabilities. Provides leadership and technical expertise in the conceptualization, design, implementation, and maintenance of technology used for analysis of financial data
• Facilitates the preparation of the annual operating budgets for practice groups including detail of staffing levels, billable hours, expected rates, direct expenses, and net income
• Assists Regional Finance Directors with building region-specific reports, deepening understanding of the key performance indicators, and improving consistency of data and process
• Prepares ad hoc financial analyses requested by the Practice Leaders and other Firm management. Develops financial models based on various proposed changes to a practice to project changes to revenue and profitability.  Prepares financial presentations for the CFO and Director of FP&A
• Conducts thorough analysis of the client financials for the Firm’s largest clients. Leads formal calls with Firm leaders reviewing client economic performance.  Writes memos and other materials providing insight on client performance and recommending corrective action in order to increase profitability
• Acts as primary point of contact for Practice Leaders of assigned groups. Works interactively and proactively with Practice Leaders to understand challenges specific to the practice and provide guidance on how key performance indicators can be used most effectively to measure success or progress
• Provides explanations of variances between plan and actual performance, both informally and in formal memos
• Assists Practice Leaders with preparation of financial presentations to their teams or to a broader partner audience
• Performs other duties as assigned or required to meet Firm goals and objectives

Education/Training/Certifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Management Information Systems, required
• Advanced degree in Business or Finance, preferred

Professional Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of experience in business support, finance, and/or accounting
• Prior experience in a professional services firm strongly desired, ideally involved in the analysis and reporting of key business analytics and financials
• Law firm experience preferred
• Substantial experience with large-scale accounting software
• Experience with cube-based analytics systems highly desired

Technical Skills: 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products
• Advanced SQL

Performance Traits: 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, able to communicate effectively and in a professional manner with all levels of the Firm and outside vendors
• Ability to work in a diverse team environment and effectively support the demanding needs of the Firm
• Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines with shifting priorities
• Must be a self-starter with a high level of initiative
• Strong customer service skills, able to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgment
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to handle multiple projects
• Maintains confidentiality and exercises discretion
• Exercises solid strategic thinking and problem-solving skills

Physical Requirements:

• May require occasional lifting of up to 20 lbs.

The above is a general description of the essential duties associated with this position and does not represent an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all duties.

The Firm may modify and amend this job description at any time at its sole discretion. Nothing herein creates a contract of employment or otherwise modifies the at-will nature of employment.

We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits, including medical/dental/vision/life/and AD&D insurance, 401 (k) savings plan, back-up childcare and eldercare, generous paid time off (PTO), as well as opportunities for professional development and growth. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.