Director, Finance

The Director of Finance at Dotdash Meredith is responsible for leading the financial strategy and oversight within the organization. Key responsibilities include developing financial strategies, providing leadership on financial objectives, advising senior management on financial implications, preparing financial forecasts and budgets, analyzing financial data, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations and controls. Additionally, the role involves leading and mentoring the finance team.

To qualify for the Director of Finance position at Dotdash Meredith, candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field, with a preference for a Master's degree or CPA. They should have a minimum of 5 years of experience in financial management, including at least 3 years in a senior leadership role. Proficiency in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis, as well as advanced skills in financial software and Excel, is also required.

The Director of Finance at Dotdash Meredith plays a significant role in team development by leading and mentoring the finance team. This position fosters a collaborative and productive work environment, encouraging continuous learning and professional growth to ensure the team performs at the highest level. By providing support and guidance, the Director empowers team members to excel in their roles.

Essential skills for the Director of Finance role at Dotdash Meredith include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, excellent communication and presentation skills, negotiation expertise, and a deep understanding of financial principles and regulations. The ability to thrive in a fast-paced environment and make informed strategic decisions under pressure is also crucial.

The work environment for the Director of Finance at Dotdash Meredith is hybrid, based in Des Moines, IA, allowing for up to two days of remote work each week. This structure provides the flexibility to foster work-life balance while ensuring strong leadership and collaboration among the finance team and the wider organization.

When answering this question, discuss specific instances where you've successfully developed financial forecasts. Highlight the methods you used, the tools involved, and how your forecasts influenced business decisions. Be sure to showcase your analytical skills and your ability to adjust forecasts based on changing business conditions.

In your response, emphasize your knowledge of financial laws and regulations. Discuss strategies you've implemented in previous roles to ensure compliance, including regular audits, training for staff on compliance issues, and staying updated on regulatory changes. Share concrete examples of how these measures safeguarded the organization.

Explain your involvement in budget preparation, including how you gather data, collaborate with various departments, and align budgets with the company’s strategic goals. Share how you’ve successfully communicated budgetary constraints to different stakeholders and negotiated adjustments as needed.

Discuss your approach to analyzing financial performance data, mentioning specific metrics you track and how you use data visualization tools. Illustrate your thought process with real-life examples where your analysis drove actionable insights for the company.

Highlight specific strategies you use to foster a positive team culture, such as providing professional development opportunities, encouraging open communication, and recognizing achievements. Discuss an example that demonstrates your successful leadership and mentoring.

Be prepared to share a detailed example, outlining the strategic objectives, how you executed the plan, the challenges you faced, and the outcomes achieved. This should illustrate both your strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities.

Talk about your systematic approach to identifying and resolving discrepancies, including investigating causes, communicating with relevant staff, and ensuring corrective actions are taken. Sharing a past example can add credibility to your response.

Discuss the financial software you’ve used in previous roles, highlighting your proficiency with tools like SAP or Oracle. Explain how you utilized these tools to enhance financial reporting, analysis, and budgeting processes.

This is a great opportunity to show your communication skills. Discuss methods you use, such as simplifying language, using visuals, and relating financial concepts to the stakeholders' interests. Share a scenario where you effectively communicated complex financial information.

Outline your strategy for prioritization, which may include assessing the impact of various tasks on the organization, balancing short-term and long-term goals, and remaining adaptable. An example of how you managed multiple priorities successfully in a previous role would strengthen your answer.