Overview

Job Location:
Chicago, Illinois

Location(s)

Chicago, Illinois

Details

Kemper is a publicly traded, multi-billion-dollar insurance and financial services company, and we are seeking a talented and motivated Director to join our Finance Systems team. This team is responsible for the optimization of the company’s financial systems while concurrently modernizing the foundational tools used by the finance community.  The Director leads efforts and strategy relating to the planning, design, testing, and implementation of various configurations for financial systems, including continual product upgrades. They closely collaborate with leadership across the Finance organization, the IT function, and other internal and external resources to identify continuous improvement opportunities. We seek a detail-oriented professional with a background in accounting and finance who has an interest in applying that knowledge to financial system support and advanced systems development.

Position Responsibilities:

  • Manage 2-5 direct reports (analysts, senior analysts) over the maintenance of financial systems, data governance, allocations, business processes, data analysis, and system optimization
  • Seamlessly balances strategy, day-to-day team execution, and team resources effectively; values coaching and mentoring of others to deliver performance appropriate for their level to achieve results
  • Analyze problems, formulate recommendations, and deliver solutions that achieve desired results timely and in an effective manner
  • Implement standards and best practices for supporting financial applications used by the Finance organization
  • Oversee financial system operational responsibilities such as data integrity checking, month-end processing, systems setups, and other related duties.
  • Collaborate with Finance, IT, and other resources to document reporting requirements, understand key metrics, and identify opportunities for improvement in the methods for delivery of information
  • Maintain a thorough understanding of the accounting system design, particularly related to data flow
  • Supports Finance and IT leadership with the implementation of financial systems strategy and execution
  • Lead the administration and user community to manage enhancements, upgrades, implementations, etc.
  • Leverage project management experience to lead a variety of financial system initiatives, ensuring scope and budget are properly managed and that the business needs are met.
  • Communicate in a clear and concise manner to stakeholders across seniorities, functions, and levels of financial experience.
  • Effectively communicate up, out, and down the organization to build support for change, ensuring effective understanding of scope, appropriate escalation to resolve issues and marketing the results of change. Written communications that are clear and effective for audience consumption and drive recommended change
  • Other duties as assigned.

Position Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited 4-year college or university with a focus in Business Administration, Accounting, Finance or related field
  • 10+ years of experience in Accounting, Finance, or Financial Systems
  • Knowledge of US GAAP and statutory accounting principles
  • Strong logic and business acumen to develop insights into root causes of financial and system results
  • In depth knowledge of finance systems; experience with Workday desired
  • Advanced project management skills with demonstrated ability to lead multiple projects and priorities
  • Effective time management skills and organizational skills with the ability to adapt to the changing needs of the business
  • Demonstrated ability to manage a team of resources to support daily business needs as well as process improvement initiatives
  • Exceptional leadership skills, including the ability to implement change
  • This position is a hybrid position that will require working from our Chicago Office location periodically. 

Kemper is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran, disability status or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We are committed to supporting diversity and equality across our organization and we work diligently to maintain a workplace free from discrimination.  

Kemper does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Kemper and Kemper will not be obligated to pay a placement fee.

Kemper will never request personal information, such as your social security number or banking information, via text or email.  Additionally, Kemper does not use external messaging applications like WireApp or Skype to communicate with candidates.  If you receive such a message, delete it. 

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