Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis

The Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Universal Audio oversees the FP&A team, develops long-term financial strategies, and manages the annual planning process. They maintain complex financial models for decision support, analyze financial data for trends, and conduct variance analysis to drive improvements. Additionally, they play a crucial role as an individual contributor, focusing on SaaS financial modeling, forecasting subscription growth, and partnering across departments to influence strategic initiatives.

To be considered for the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis role at Universal Audio, candidates typically require a Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, or a related field. An MBA or CFA is a plus, along with 5+ years of experience in FP&A or financial analysis, particularly within SaaS or related B2C sectors. Proficiency in Excel and experience with BI tools like Tableau or Power BI is essential, along with proven ability to collaborate across teams.

The culture at Universal Audio for the FP&A team is one of collaboration, mentorship, and growth. As the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis, you would foster a culture of data-driven decision-making, encouraging team members to develop their skills through training programs. Universal Audio values inclusivity and seeks to inspire music makers worldwide, creating an environment where creativity and analytical excellence thrive hand-in-hand.

The Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis plays an integral role in enhancing Universal Audio’s Software business by developing financial models to forecast critical metrics such as subscription growth and customer acquisition costs. They work closely with Product and digital teams to analyze customer behaviors and support strategic pricing decisions. This position involves creating insights that drive profitability and product-led growth while nurturing cross-functional relationships that align financial goals with business objectives.

The salary range for the Senior Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at Universal Audio typically falls between $160K - $225K, based on factors like the candidate's experience level and the cost of labor in the specific location. Additionally, Universal Audio offers competitive benefits such as profit sharing, medical and dental coverage, and flexible time-off policies that enhance the overall compensation package.

When asked about your experience leading FP&A teams, highlight your previous roles where you managed or mentored financial professionals. Discuss your leadership style, how you inspire teams to leverage data for decision-making, and provide examples of successful projects you've led that had a significant impact on the company’s financial future.

In your response, outline your process for building robust financial models tailored to SaaS businesses. Mention key metrics you focus on, such as churn rate, customer acquisition costs, and lifetime value. Provide an example of a model you've created and how it influenced business decisions.

Explain your strategic approach to budgeting, including how you gather input from various departments, prepare budget forecasts, and monitor variances. Highlight your collaborative efforts with different teams to ensure their objectives are reflected in the financial planning process.

Prepare to recount a specific instance where your analytical insights influenced a key business decision. Discuss the tools and data you used, the analysis conducted, and the impact this had on company strategy or revenue growth. This showcases your ability to translate data into actionable business insights.

Your answer should convey your method for assessing pricing strategies through market research and customer analysis. Discuss how you incorporate data-driven analysis to optimize pricing and measure its impact on profitability and market share.

Describe your experience with scenario planning and how it has helped your previous organizations navigate uncertainties. Explain how you model various financial scenarios to understand potential risks and opportunities, and how that analysis informs business strategy.

Share your best practices for maintaining accuracy and consistency in financial reports, such as the use of standard operating procedures, regular audits, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to gather reliable data. Highlight the importance of transparency in the reporting process.

Mention the specific tools you are proficient in for financial modeling—such as Excel, Tableau, or Power BI. Discuss how you've used these tools to enhance your analysis and reporting efforts, improving your team's ability to make data-informed decisions.

In describing your approach to team development, focus on how you identify skill gaps, create personalized training programs, and encourage continuous learning. Highlight any mentoring initiatives you’ve implemented to support team growth and career advancement.

Identify key SaaS metrics such as Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR), Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR), churn rate, and customer lifetime value (LTV). Discuss why these metrics are crucial for assessing the financial health of a SaaS business and how they guide strategic decision-making.