Director, Finance Transformation & Systems

Job description

**WHO WE ARE** Lindblad Expeditions is a true pioneer in Expedition Travel. From taking the first citizen explorers to Antarctica in 1966, opening the Galapagos and Easter Island to tourism in 1967, leading the first tourist expedition through the Northwest Passage in 1984, and launching our innovative partnership with National Geographic in 2004, we're now taking almost 30,000 guests a year to some of the world’s most remote and pristine locations on our fleet of 20 ships, and are committed to ensuring our guests experience the “Exhilaration of Discovery”. JOB SUMMARY The Director, Finance Transformation & Systems plays a key role in modernizing the company’s financial systems, processes, and data environment. This role serves as the bridge between Finance, IT, and business stakeholders by owning core financial applications, driving process optimization, and ensuring scalable, well-controlled systems that support timely and accurate financial reporting. The ideal candidate combines strong accounting process knowledge with systems expertise and a continuous-improvement mindset. This senior leader will establish and execute the Finance systems strategy, lead enterprise transformation initiatives, and oversee programs that enhance automation, strengthen controls, and improve efficiency across the Finance organization. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES *Financial Systems Ownership & Governance:* - Own the strategic direction, governance, and optimization as the subject-matter expert for key financial systems (ERP, subledgers, reporting tools). - Oversee system configurations, upgrades, enhancements, and integrations, ensuring proper testing, documentation, and change controls. - Partner with IT to manage issue resolution, system performance, and reliable data flows across platforms. - Collaborate with IT to establish and maintain governance standards, including user access protocols, data integrity controls, and system documentation. *Transformation & Process Optimization:* - Lead enterprise-wide finance transformation initiatives focused on automation, simplification, and standardization. - Evaluate current processes and identify opportunities to leverage technology to reduce manual work and streamline close activities. - Provide executive program leadership for system implementations, new module deployments, or integration efforts with other business systems. - Drive adoption of new system functionalities and ensure proper training for end users. *Systems Strategy & Roadmap:* - Document and maintain the full financial systems landscape, including integrations, data flows, and dependencies. - Develop, own, and govern the multi-year Finance technology roadmap aligned with business growth, accounting needs, and internal controls. - Influence and partner with executive leadership (Controller, CFO, IT, FP&A) to assess future-state requirements and translate them into prioritized initiatives. - Track ongoing system performance metrics and ensure continuous improvement. *Controls, Compliance & IT General Controls:* - Partner with the SOX Senior Manager to oversee design and performance of ITGCs across financial applications. - Coordinate and support internal/external audit requests related to system controls, configurations, and change management. - Maintain process and system documentation to support compliance requirements. - Monitor risks related to system access, segregation of duties, and data security. - Lead remediation efforts for any system-related control deficiencies. QUALIFICATIONS - 10+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, financial systems, consulting, or finance transformation, including leadership of complex cross-functional initiatives. - Demonstrated experience leading at least one enterprise ERP implementation or large-scale finance transformation program. - Strong understanding of accounting processes, internal controls, financial reporting, and finance operating models. - Proven ability to influence executive stakeholders and lead cross-functional teams in a matrixed organization. - Experience developing technology roadmaps, business cases, and governance models. - Must be available to work onsite at least 3 days per week in our New York City-area office.