Business Analyst, Budget Planning & Financial Operations, Global

Job description

About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects and connects the technology of the world’s well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across North America, EMEA and Asia Pacific, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. About Vantage Data Centers Vantage Data Centers powers, cools, protects, and connects the technology of the world's well-known hyperscalers, cloud providers and large enterprises. Developing and operating across 19 markets in North America, EMEA and APAC, Vantage has evolved data center design in innovative ways to deliver dramatic gains in reliability, efficiency and sustainability in flexible environments that can scale as quickly as the market demands. Vantage's business is growing exponentially, through a combination of greenfield market expansion and acquisitions. Business Optimization & Vendor Management Department The Business Optimization & Vendor Management team supports effective planning, financial visibility, operational discipline, and informed decision-making. The team partners with budget owners, business leaders, Finance, Procurement, and other stakeholders to maintain reliable planning information, monitor financial commitments, improve reporting, and strengthen processes that help the organization use its resources effectively. Position Overview The Business Analyst, Budget Planning & Financial Operations supports budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analysis activities that help business leaders effectively manage approved budgets and financial commitments throughout the year. This role partners with budget owners and business leaders to maintain accurate forecasts, monitor spending, identify risks and opportunities, and keep assumptions aligned with current business needs. The analyst helps stakeholders avoid unexpected overspend while also identifying available funding and planned activities that may need action so approved resources are used effectively. The ideal candidate is analytical, highly organized, and comfortable working directly with stakeholders. As the individual develops knowledge of the business and its planning processes, they will take an increasingly active role in recurring forecast discussions, budget reviews, and follow-up with assigned budget owners. Essential Job Functions Budget Planning & Forecast Management Support annual budget planning and recurring forecast cycles, including non-labor operating expense and capital expenditure planning. Maintain and update forecast workbooks, planning files, assumptions, and supporting documentation throughout the year. Work with budget owners to understand spending plans, project timing, contract obligations, purchase commitments, and changing business priorities. Help budget owners maintain realistic forecasts that reduce the risk of overspending and highlight opportunities to use approved funding before year-end. Track forecast changes, open actions, and decisions to ensure planning information remains current and explainable. Identify potential overages, unused funding, timing shifts, and other risks or opportunities, and raise them for timely discussion and action. Support capital planning, project cost tracking, and workforce or position planning activities as assigned. Budget Owner & Business Leader Partnership Build productive working relationships with budget owners and business leaders. Prepare for and participate in recurring budget and forecast review meetings. Ask thoughtful questions, clarify assumptions, document decisions, and follow up on required updates. Explain budget, forecast, actual, and committed-spend information in clear business terms. Provide budget owners with timely information that supports prioritization and spending decisions. With appropriate training and experience, independently lead routine forecast conversations and serve as a primary point of contact for assigned budget owners. Coordinate with Finance and other stakeholders to resolve discrepancies and keep planning data aligned. Financial Analysis & Reporting Analyze budget, forecast, actual, committed, and planned spend information. Perform variance analysis and identify the operational drivers behind changes in financial performance. Review spending trends and summarize relevant risks, opportunities, and recommended follow-up actions. Prepare recurring reports, dashboards, meeting materials, and concise leadership summaries. Support ad hoc analysis, project financial reviews, business cases, and return-on-investment analysis as needed. Contribute to budget planning scenarios and longer-range analysis using documented assumptions. Data Management, Controls & Process Improvement Reconcile financial and operational information across systems, reports, and source files. Validate data, investigate discrepancies, and document assumptions, methods, and exceptions. Maintain accurate, audit-ready records of forecast updates, commitments, decisions, and supporting information. Create and maintain reports, dashboards, process documentation, and user guidance. Identify practical improvements that increase forecast accuracy, strengthen controls, and reduce manual effort. Support small-scale reporting, process, or tool improvement initiatives. Handle additional duties as assigned by management. Job Requirements Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Analytics,or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. Approximately 2 to 5 years of experience in business analysis, budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis, operations, project controls, portfolio administration, or a related role. Experience supporting budget planning, forecast maintenance, financial reporting, or variance analysis. Working knowledge of operating expense and capital expenditure concepts. Strong Microsoft Excel skills and comfort working with detailed financial and operational data. Ability to organize information, manage multiple priorities, and follow through on open actions. Strong analytical, problem-solving, written, and verbal communication skills. Ability to build trusted relationships and communicate financial information to non-financial stakeholders. Attention to detail and commitment to data quality, documentation, and confidentiality. Ability to work collaboratively across teams and adapt to changing priorities. Preferred Experience Budget owner or business-partner support. Non-labor forecast management, project portfolio support, or contract and vendor spend analysis. Capital planning, project cost tracking, or multi-year planning. Executive-ready reporting, dashboards, KPI reporting, or data visualization. Experience with Power BI, Workday, ERP or financial planning systems, procurement systems, or similar business tools. Process improvement, requirements gathering, or small-scale project coordination. Physical Demands and Special Requirements The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Final language should be reviewed with HR and Talent Acquisition for the approved work location and role classification. Additional Details Compensation range, job classification, approved work location, and location-specific benefits language will be added by HR and Talent Acquisition, as applicable. We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other's strengths and respecting each other's weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations. Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community. Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values. Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer We operate with No Ego and No Arrogance. We work to build each other up and support one another, appreciating each other’s strengths and respecting each other’s weaknesses. We find joy in our work and each other, actively seeking opportunities to inject fun into what we do. Our hard and efficient work is rewarded with an above market total compensation package. We offer a comprehensive suite of health and welfare, retirement, and paid leave benefits exceeding local expectations. Throughout the year, the advantage of being part of the Vantage team is evident with an array of benefits, recognition, training and development, and the knowledge that your contribution adds value to the company and our community. Don't meet all the requirements? Please still apply if you think you are the right person for the position. We are always keen to speak to people who connect with our mission and values. Vantage Data Centers is an Equal Opportunity Employer Vantage Data Centers does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firm agencies. Fees will not be paid in the event a candidate submitted by a recruiter without an agreement in place is hired; such resumes will be deemed the sole property of Vantage Data Centers. We’ll be accepting applications for at least one week from the date this role is posted. If you're interested, we encourage you to apply soon—we’re excited to find the right person and will keep the role open until we do!