Senior Director of Finance Operations

Company Overview:
Founded in 2000, Walker-Miller Energy Services is a Detroit-based, core-values driven company committed to changing lives through energy efficiency. We create and manage customized energy waste reduction programs that assist electric and gas utilities meet mandated energy savings goals.
Our experience driven philosophy of clean energy as economic development helps families and businesses save energy and save money. Through innovative, inclusive initiatives, we help build communities by creating local jobs, producing equitable energy savings for all rate payers, and spurring the growth of diverse local businesses.
Our operating philosophy is reflected in our core values. We refer to them as BEHIVE.
B - Boldly Go
E – Embrace Equity
H - Humble Confidence
I - Inclusive Stewardship
V - Value Reputation
E - Extraordinary Experience
Position Summary:
The Senior Director of Finance Operations is a key operational leader within the Finance organization, reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). This role leads the coordination and day-to-day effectiveness of core finance functions, including FP&A, Accounting and Treasury. The Senior Director partners closely with the CFO and finance leadership to translate strategic priorities into executable plans, strengthen controls and compliance, modernize systems and processes, and ensure that financial information supports timely, informed decision-making.
The role is responsible for driving disciplined execution across finance initiatives, improving integration among finance teams, and building scalable, well-documented processes that support organizational growth. The Senior Director recommends strategic and operational improvements, leads implementation within approved parameters, and works cross-functionally with Operations, HR, IT, and other business partners to promote alignment, adoption, and measurable results.
Essential Responsibilities: This list of duties and responsibilities is not all-inclusive and may be expanded to include other duties and responsibilities, as management may deem necessary from time to time.
Embrace, operate, and lead within our core values.
Strategic Execution & CFO Support
Act as an operational and thought partner to the CFO, helping execute organizational strategy and finance priorities into actionable plans, forecasts, initiatives, and performance measures.
Establish and maintain an operating cadence that provides visibility into milestones, risks, dependencies, decisions, and required course corrections.
Drive end-to-end execution of key finance initiatives, proactively removing roadblocks and escalating significant issues or decisions to the CFO.
Prepare clear reports, presentations, and recommendations for the CFO and executive leadership; support the development of materials as needed.
Finance Function Integration & Leadership
Serve as a central coordinator across FP&A, Accounting, and Treasury to align goals, priorities, deliverables, and timelines.
Promote a “one finance team” approach by strengthening collaboration, role clarity, shared accountability, and consistent communication across finance functions.
Ensure finance outputs are integrated and internally consistent, including alignment between budgets, forecasts, management reporting, cash planning, and accounting results.
Sponsor change management within Finance by communicating the purpose and expected benefits of changes, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring teams receive appropriate training and support.
Financial Planning & Performance
Ensure budgeting, forecasting, and reporting outputs effectively support the operational, planning, and decision-making needs of business operations and SG&A teams.
Partner with business and operational leaders to translate financial insights into tangible actions that improve performance, accountability, and resource allocation.
Define, track, and continuously refine finance and business performance indicators, ensuring KPIs are measurable, clearly understood, and incorporated into leadership dashboards and operating routines.
Support the CFO in monitoring organizational performance and identifying emerging risks, trends, and opportunities.
Finance Transformation & Process Improvement
Ensure budgeting, forecasting, and reporting outputs effectively support the operational, planning, and decision-making needs of business operations and SG&A teams.
Partner with business and operational leaders to translate financial insights into tangible actions that improve performance, accountability, and resource allocation.
Define, track, and continuously refine finance and business performance indicators, ensuring KPIs are measurable, clearly understood, and incorporated into leadership dashboards and operating routines.
Support the CFO in monitoring organizational performance and identifying emerging risks, trends, and opportunities.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
Partner with Finance, Operations, HR and IT leaders to harmonize processes and support adoption of new tools, policies, and standards.
Develop stakeholder engagement strategies that build alignment, secure buy-in, and address resistance through clear communication, relationship-building, and collaboration.
Facilitate cross-functional working sessions that strengthen relationships and reinforce Finance’s role as a responsive, solutions-oriented business partner.
Deliver training and practical guidance to support successful adoption of process, technology, data, and organizational improvements.
Team Leadership
Lead, coach, and develop finance leaders and team members within the assigned scope, setting clear goals, managing performance, and building bench strength.
Foster a culture of trust and psychological safety where team members can raise issues, offer ideas, and constructively challenge one another in pursuit of better outcomes.
Model collaborative, inclusive, and accountable leadership; remain visible and accessible to the finance team and cross-functional partners.
Encourage cross-training and development opportunities that broaden capabilities, build empathy across finance functions, and deepen shared ownership for results.
Act on behalf of the CFO on selected finance operations matters within delegated authority.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field required.
10+ years of progressive experience in finance, accounting, FP&A, treasury, finance operations, process improvement, or a related field, including at least 5 years of people or functional leadership experience.
Strong understanding of GAAP, internal controls, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and audit readiness.
Demonstrated success improving finance processes, leading change, and executing cross-functional initiatives in a fast-paced environment with evolving priorities.
Experience with financial systems implementation, automation, data governance, reporting modernization, or scaling finance operations.
Ability to develop clear executive-level presentations, communicate complex financial and operational matters, and influence stakeholders at multiple levels.
Strong program management, analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and decision-support capabilities.
High level of integrity, sound judgment, attention to detail, and commitment to accurate, timely execution.
Desired Qualifications:
MBA, preferred.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and PowerPoint; experience with enterprise financial, planning, reporting, or HR systems is strongly preferred.
Experience in energy, utilities, professional services, or other project-based environment is a plus.
Licenses & Certifications:
CPA and/or CMA, preferred.
Physical Demands and Work Environment:
Required to sit, stand, walk; talk and hear; and ability to touch and handle tools and/or controls
The team member is frequently required to stand, walk, kneel, crouch, and/or crawl
Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
Noise level is typically low to moderate
Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.
The above information describes the general duties and requirements necessary to perform the principle functions of the position. This shall not be construed as a detailed description of all the duties and requirements that may be necessary in this position.
Walker-Miller Energy Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
At Walker-Miller Energy Services, we Embrace Equity by encouraging qualified candidates from all backgrounds and identities to apply for open positions! We