Record to Report Strategy & Optimization Associate Director

Job Description

Are you an experienced and motivated accounting or finance professional with a passion for driving process improvements and delivering impactful business outcomes? Vertex is seeking a results-oriented and collaborative Associate Director with strong expertise in process optimization to join our Global Accounting organization. Reporting to the Senior Director, Record-to-Report (R2R) Strategy & Optimization, the Associate Director will support the execution of the R2R strategy and roadmap by managing key projects, assisting in process documentation and supporting the successful delivery of high-priority improvement initiatives that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.

This role is ideal for a hands-on professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to deepen their process optimization and leadership expertise while helping transform Vertex’s accounting and reporting processes.

• Develop and execute the R2R strategy and roadmap in partnership with the Senior Director by translating priorities into plans, process documentation, analysis, deliverables, and stakeholder alignment to drive measurable improvements in close and reporting outcomes.
• Identify and prioritize R2R optimization opportunities (standardization, simplification, automation) by diagnosing pain points, root causes, and gaps to improve efficiency, accuracy, and compliance.
• Lead end-to-end documentation of current-state and future-state R2R processes (including value stream mapping) for optimization initiatives and Next Gen ERP, defining system/process touchpoints to support scalable enterprise growth, accelerated close and reporting cycle, and enhanced financial insights.
• Drive implementation of approved improvements through process redesign, policy/control updates, and technology enablement to deliver sustainable change and reduce close and reporting cycle time.
• Develop and maintain R2R playbooks, toolkits, and training materials, and support enablement activities to drive consistent adoption of new processes, controls, and tools across stakeholder groups.
• Lead assigned R2R initiatives to optimize close and external reporting by managing scope, timeline, risks, dependencies, and decisions to ensure successful value realization and business adoption.
• Collaborate cross-functionally with Accounting, Finance, IT, Treasury, Tax, and Legal to gather requirements, align decisions, and remove blockers so solutions meet enterprise needs and integrate across the finance ecosystem.
• Define success metrics and reporting for R2R initiatives (e.g., cycle time, automation rate, rework, compliance/control performance) and translate them into executive dashboards tracking baseline, status, risks, key decisions and value realization.
• Develop business cases and executive-ready materials (including cost-benefit analyses and resourcing plans) to secure sponsorship, alignment, funding, and timely decisions for R2R transformation efforts.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the R2R by staying informed on leading practices, innovative solutions, and emerging technologies.

• Record-to-Report (R2R) and close expertise, including a strong knowledge of core accounting concepts and processes, external reporting considerations, enabling technologies and the end-to-end finance process landscape.
• Proven process optimization experience, including process documentation, value stream mapping, standardization/simplification, performance measurement, and continuous improvement methods.
• Strong analytical and problem–solving skills with attention to detail, including the ability to quantify opportunities/benefits, identify root causes, and translate findings into practical recommendations and actionable solutions.
• High standards of integrity, ownership, and accountability, with a positive, collaborative working style and a growth–oriented/continuous improvement mindset.
• Excellent communication, influence and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• Strong project management skills to lead multiple…