Guardian News & Media (GNM) is the publisher of the US news website www.theguardian.com/us, the Guardian and Observer newspapers and www.theguardian.com website in the UK. We're a highly regarded global news brand, owned by the Scott Trust — an arrangement that guarantees its independent voice in perpetuity. 

Guardian US is an entirely digital operation that seeks to engage US readers by combining the Guardian's internationalist, online journalism with US voices and expertise. 

The SVP Finance is responsible for financial management, control, and reporting for the US operation.  The role is supported by a local team of two, and a centralized accounting team based in London.

The right candidate for this role will be a key member of the US executive team, responsible for ensuring that the highest standards are met in our financial and reporting practices.  They will also be responsible for translating appropriate financial information and business KPI's to the Guardian US President and the global financial reporting team.

The position will allow you the opportunity to work in close collaboration with the President where you will play a pivotal role in laying out strategies and driving implementation of our plans.  It functions in close partnership with the business and editorial leadership teams. You will also work in very close alignment with the global finance organization, and will be held accountable for clear and transparent communication with the Guardian Media Group (GMG) Director of Finance and his team, based in London. 

Department: Finance

Reports to: President, Guardian US. Indirect reporting line to Global CFOO

Normal location: New York, NY

Terms and conditions: Permanent, full time

Key responsibilities and accountabilities:

• Take a lead role in the financial planning cycle, including preparation and presentation of annual budget, quarterly reforecasts, short, medium, and long-term business plans, and various ad hoc plans pertaining to new business opportunities.
• Clearly and transparently communicate Guardian US financial outlook and risks/opportunities to the US President and pertinent members of the Global CFOO team. 
• Prepare and present regular financial reporting, including variance analysis and commentary on key performance indicators.  Oversee monthly reporting and forecasts.  Contribute US performance metrics and key drivers to the consolidated global results of Guardian News & Media.
• Act as a business partner to the various division heads in the US
• Oversee local policy derivation and the integrity of the US financial reporting, including staying ahead of local accounting rules and standards that may not be front of mind for our overseas compliance team. Coordinate all Internal Audit matters ensuring full support to the GMG Internal Audit plan and prompt follow-up and implementation of recommendations.
• Administer and take ownership of the Sales Commission plan, including calculation of payments and establishing targets for sales team, in conjunction with business leads.

Key contacts and relationships:

• President, Guardian US
• SVP, Ad Sales, US
• Managing Editor, US
• Head of HR, US 
• CFOO, Guardian Media Group (UK)
• CEO, International, Guardian Media Group (UK)
• Director of Finance, Guardian Media Group (UK)
• Group Financial Controller, Guardian Media Group (UK)

Knowledge & experience:

• Minimum 15 years accounting and/or FP&A experience, with minimum of five years experience in a position accountable for full P&L oversight
• Leadership of a team in a financial planning and analysis role
• CPA qualification and experience a strong plus
• Proven competence in financial reporting under US GAAP rules
• Media and online industry experience strongly preferred
• Experience with creation and execution of high-level financial presentations
• Proven success working across a matrixed organization with efficiency, transparency, and integrity is a plus

Competencies, skills and behaviors (essential/desirable)

• Strong management skills, combined with an ability to take a hands-on approach to get the job done
• The highest level of personal integrity, in line with the core values of our mission-driven organization
• An improvement mindset and a bias toward change, which motivates and challenges the status quo in order to drive process optimization and best practices across the department
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• A high level of project and workload management skills, manifesting in an ability to communicate clearly about deadlines and motivate others to deliver against them effectively
• Ability to influence, persuade and objectively challenge business decisions - including senior managers/ directors within the business
• Excellent technical skills, with a passion for accuracy and digging deep for a full understanding of our financial results

All candidates interested in applying should upload a resume and cover letter. All candidates must have the right to work and live in the United States and be located, or prepared to relocate to the Greater New York City Area.

Guardian News & Media is an equal employment opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, national origin, or citizenship.  We value and respect all differences in all people (seen and unseen). We aspire to provide inclusive working experiences and an environment that reflects the audience we serve, where our people have equal access to career development opportunities, their voices are heard, and they can contribute to our future.

This job description is a guide to the work you will initially be required to undertake. It summarizes the main aspects of the job but does not cover all the duties that the job holder may have to perform. It may be changed from time to time to meet changing circumstances. It does not form part of your contract of employment and as your experience grows, you will be expected to broaden your tasks, suggest improvements, solve problems and enhance the effectiveness of the role.