Strategic Finance Lead

Brief Description

The role serves as a strategic partner and right hand to the Chief Financial Officer, contributing to the organization’s operational and financial strength. This position provides targeted oversight across financial analysis, project management, and investment-related activities to ensure alignment with organizational objectives. In addition to driving key strategic initiatives, the role supports the CFO on high-impact projects involving budgeting, capital planning, IT modernization, and real estate coordination.

The position emphasizes project leadership, analytical rigor, and effective cross-functional collaboration to advance enterprise priorities.

• Partner directly with the CFO and senior management to develop, prioritize, and execute the company’s strategic initiatives across departments.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives with measurable impact, including operational efficiency efforts, technology adoption, process redesign, and growth-related projects.
• Create and maintain Forest Lawn’s strategic roadmap; solicit regular feedback from business units and executive leaders; identify lagging initiatives and push for progress.
• Provides strategic recommendations to CFO and Executive Committee with regard to policies and programs and assists in their implementation.
• Build and maintain financial and operational models to support decision-making, business cases, and investment prioritization.
• Conduct market research and analysis to evaluate trends, benchmark performance, and frame strategic options for leadership.
• Prepare and deliver executive-level presentations and communications on behalf of the CFO.
• Represent the CFO in internal meetings and engagements as needed.
• Identify and propose new opportunities for value creation, cost savings, or improved business processes.
• Provide project management oversight on enterprise-wide initiatives to ensure successful execution and alignment with strategic goals.
• Provide support and coordination across key Finance Division areas including Business Analysis, Client Accounts, Corporate Accounting, Procurement, and Technology Services, as delegated.
• Support the CFO in oversight and coordination of third-party investment consultants and fiduciaries related to the company’s retirement plans (401(k), pension, and cash balance) and Endowment Care Funds, including financial modeling, performance analysis, policy implementation, and preparation of materials for internal and board-level reporting.
• Support the CFO in overseeing and advancing enterprise financial and operational initiatives, including:
• Advising senior management on budgeting, cash flow planning, and investment prioritization through project-level coordination and financial analysis.
• Contributes to the review and tracking of financial forecasting, capital planning, and resource allocation strategies.
• Assists with evaluating long-range economic trends and projecting their implications for market share and growth.
• Participates in real estate strategy initiatives, including lease review, project analysis, and vendor coordination.
• Supports credit facility analysis, planning scenarios, and utilization tracking, as directed.
• Coordinates input for IT modernization projects, including enterprise application planning and process improvement initiatives.
• Develops project timelines, stakeholder communications, and recommendations for executive review related to these enterprise functions.

• Bachelor's degree from a four-year college in Finance required. MBA or relevant graduate degree is strongly preferred.
• Minimum 5-8 years of post-undergraduate experience, ideally with 2+ years in top-tier consulting (e.g., McKinsey, Bain, BCG), investment banking, or strategic/corporate development roles in a Fortune 500 company.
• Valid California Driver's License, including state required levels of active auto insurance.
• Proven ability to drive cross-functional initiatives and lead projects from conception to execution.
• Strong financial modeling, data analysis, and Excel/PowerPoint skills required.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with demonstrated experience preparing materials for…