Finance Director - Consumer Operations

Description

Director, Finance – Consumer Operations

Role Overview

We are seeking a Director of Finance to provide strategic financial leadership for Consumer Operations, a critical pillar of the Consumer Bank. This is a high-impact, highly visible leadership role responsible for shaping financial strategy, driving disciplined execution, and influencing enterprise-level outcomes across multiple business lines.

This role goes beyond traditional FP&A. The Director will serve as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, owning multiyear financial planning, cost transformation, performance management, and data-driven decision-making. The position plays a meaningful role in the Consumer Bank’s enterprise transformation agenda, including the “Reimagine the Bank” initiative, helping modernize how the bank operates, invests, and delivers value to customers.

The Director will lead and develop a team of experienced finance professionals and partner closely with Operations, Product, Technology, and Enterprise Finance to translate strategy into measurable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

Enterprise Financial Strategy and Leadership

• Own financial strategy for Consumer Operations, ensuring alignment with Consumer Bank priorities, enterprise objectives, and long-term value creation.
• Act as a strategic thought partner to senior Operations leadership, influencing decisions related to investment, efficiency, capacity, and operating model design.
• Provide executive-ready insights and recommendations to leadership forums, including board-level and enterprise governance discussions.
• Represent Finance in enterprise-wide initiatives and transformation programs impacting Consumer Operations.

Reimagine the Bank – Consumer Bank Enablement

• Serve as a core Finance leader supporting the Consumer Bank’s “Reimagine the Bank” initiative, with accountability for:
  • Financial framing of transformation initiatives
  • Investment prioritization and ROI analysis
  • Ongoing tracking of value realization and benefits delivery
• Partner with Operations, Product, and Technology leaders to modernize cost structures, simplify processes, and enable scalable growth.
• Embed new ways of working, analytics, and automation into finance processes to support a more agile, forward-looking operating model.
• Ensure financial transparency and governance across transformation initiatives while balancing innovation with disciplined execution.

Strategic & Multiyear Financial Planning

• Lead the development of multiyear financial plans, incorporating macroeconomic scenarios, productivity assumptions, and business growth strategies.
• Own rolling forecast processes, ensuring alignment with enterprise planning standards and consistency across Consumer Operations.
• Translate strategic priorities into actionable financial roadmaps with clear milestones, trade-offs, and accountability.
• Drive alignment between financial plans, operating strategies, and transformation initiatives.

Performance Management & Decision Support

• Establish and oversee a metrics-driven performance management framework that enables proactive decision-making.
• Leverage advanced financial modeling, scenario analysis, and trend analysis to inform leadership decisions.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, productivity gains, and investment reallocation through rigorous variance analysis.
• Continuously enhance management reporting to improve insight quality, speed, and relevance.

Financial Operations, Reporting & Governance

• Oversee monthly close, forecasting, and reporting processes, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and executive-level storytelling.
• Review and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial results, highlighting key drivers, risks, and opportunities.
• Partner closely with Accounting, Risk, and Enterprise Finance to ensure alignment across reporting, controls, and regulatory expectations.
• Prepare materials for senior leadership and board-level audiences.

Process Optimization, Data & Automation

• Champion modernization of finance processes through automation, analytics, and improved data availability.
• Lead or co-lead initiatives to streamline forecasting, planning, and reporting workflows.
• Establish strong data governance practices and scalable reporting solutions to support evolving business needs.
• Drive adoption of best practices across Consumer Operations finance teams.

Budgeting & Cost Management

• Own budgeting processes across multiple Consumer Operations business lines, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
• Partner with stakeholders to refine cost allocation methodologies and manage internal and external cost pools.
• Provide clear financial guidance on vendor strategy, organizational design, and operating model changes.
• Ensure cost discipline while enabling strategic investment.

People Leadership & Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a team of high-performing finance professionals.
• Build a strong leadership bench by mentoring emerging talent and supporting succession planning.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Play an active role in onboarding, integration, and leadership development initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Progressive experience in financial services, with strong exposure to banking operations.
• Demonstrated success leading complex financial initiatives with enterprise-level impact.
• Proven ability to influence senior leaders and drive outcomes in highly matrixed environments.
• Advanced Excel skills; experience with Hyperion Essbase and Dodeca strongly preferred.
• Exceptional analytical, communication, and executive-presence skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting large-scale transformation or modernization initiatives.
• Familiarity with regulatory and compliance frameworks.
• Experience with internal platforms such as Fuel50, Learning Hub, and Visio.
• Lean Six Sigma Green or Black Belt.
• Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Emerging & Differentiating Capabilities

• AI-enabled finance and automation
• Enterprise data strategy and governance
• Agile finance transformation
• Inclusive and adaptive leadership
• Ability to navigate ambiguity and drive clarity at scale

Hours & Work Schedule

• Hours per Week: 40
• Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, hybrid: 4 days a week in office, 1 day remote

Pay Transparency

The salary range for this position is $162.328 - $190,000 per year, plus an opportunity to earn an annual discretionary bonus. Actual pay is based on various factors including but not limited to the work location, and relevant skills and experience. 

We offer competitive pay, comprehensive medical, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, maternity/paternity leave, flexible work arrangements, education reimbursement, wellness programs and more. Note, Citizens’ paid time off policy exceeds the mandatory, paid sick or paid time-away policy of every local and state jurisdiction in the United States. For an overview of our benefits, visit https://jobs.citizensbank.com/benefits.

Some job boards have started using jobseeker-reported data to estimate salary ranges for roles. If you apply and qualify for this role, a recruiter will discuss accurate pay guidance.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Citizens, its parent, subsidiaries, and related companies (Citizens) provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all colleagues and applicants for employment without regard to age, ancestry, color, citizenship, physical or mental disability, perceived disability or history or record of a disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, genetic characteristic, marital or domestic partner status, victim of domestic violence, family status/parenthood, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, pregnancy/childbirth/lactation, colleague’s or a dependent’s reproductive health decision making, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any other category protected by federal, state and/or local laws. At Citizens, we are committed to fostering an inclusive culture that enables all colleagues to bring their best selves to work every day and everyone is expected to be treated with respect and professionalism. Employment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, performance and capability.