Director, Financial Planning & Analysis Jobs in Reston, VA

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The Washington Post's Financial Planning & Analysis team plays an important role in supporting business leaders with financial planning, performance analysis, and decision support. The team partners across the organization to provide timely financial insights, strengthen financial discipline, and help leaders make informed operating decisions.

Why This Role Matters

The Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis will provide financial leadership and decision support for a defined portfolio of departments within The Washington Post.

Reporting to the Senior Director of FP&A, this role will partner with department leaders to manage budgets and forecasts, analyze financial performance, identify risks and opportunities, and provide actionable financial insights.

The Manager will lead and develop a small team of two financial analysts and will be responsible for ensuring high-quality financial analysis, consistent execution, and strong business partnership within the assigned portfolio.

This is a hands-on leadership role that combines financial analysis, business partnership, and people development.

What Motivates You

• You enjoy understanding how a business operates and using financial analysis to help leaders make better decisions.

• You are analytical and detail-oriented and can translate financial information into clear business insights.

• You are comfortable managing multiple priorities and delivering high-quality work in a fast-paced environment.

• You enjoy developing financial models, improving processes, and finding more efficient ways to deliver analysis.

• You build productive relationships with business partners and can constructively challenge assumptions.

• You enjoy coaching and developing analysts while remaining close enough to the work to ensure quality.

• You are passionate about The Washington Post's mission and want to contribute to the long-term sustainability of the business.

How You Will Support the Mission

Financial Planning & Forecasting

• Manage monthly, quarterly, and annual budgeting and forecasting activities for assigned departments.

• Develop and maintain driver-based financial models supporting operating expense, headcount, and other departmental planning.

• Partner with department leaders to develop financial assumptions and translate operating plans into financial forecasts.

• Identify financial risks and opportunities and incorporate them into forecasts in coordination with FP&A leadership.

• Support annual planning and longer-range financial planning activities for the assigned portfolio.

• Ensure forecast submissions are accurate, timely, and supported by clear business assumptions.

Business Partnership

• Serve as the primary FP&A partner for a defined set of department leaders and stakeholders.

• Develop a strong understanding of departmental objectives, operating drivers, and financial performance.

• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support operating decisions.

• Help business partners understand the financial implications of proposed initiatives, staffing decisions, and changes in spending.

• Constructively challenge assumptions and help stakeholders evaluate alternatives within established financial targets.

• Escalate significant risks, opportunities, and resource decisions to FP&A leadership as appropriate.

Performance Management & Reporting

• Lead monthly variance analysis for assigned departments, including identification and communication of key drivers versus budget, forecast, and prior periods.

• Prepare recurring financial reporting and management materials for department leadership.

• Monitor operating expenses, headcount, and relevant financial and operational KPIs.

• Translate financial results into concise commentary explaining performance, risks, and opportunities.

• Support broader FP&A reporting and consolidation processes by providing accurate and timely portfolio-level inputs.

Team Leadership & Development

• Manage and develop a small team of financial analysts.

• Establish clear priorities, expectations, and deadlines for the team.

• Review analyst work for accuracy, analytical quality, and clarity.

• Coach analysts on forecasting, financial modeling, variance analysis, and business partnership.

• Help analysts develop stronger problem-solving skills and greater ownership of their respective areas.

• Balance team workloads and provide hands-on support when necessary to meet critical deadlines.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities to simplify and improve budgeting, forecasting, reporting, and analytical processes within the assigned portfolio.

• Improve financial models, templates, documentation, and recurring workflows.

• Partner with FP&A colleagues to promote consistency in planning assumptions, reporting standards, and financial analysis.

• Use available systems, data tools, automation, and AI capabilities to improve efficiency and analytical quality.

• Document key processes and develop scalable approaches that reduce manual effort and improve continuity.

Skills and Experience You Bring

Minimum Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or a related financial discipline.

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or a related field.

• Prior experience managing or developing financial analysts preferred.

• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling capabilities.

• Demonstrated experience performing detailed financial and variance analysis.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to translate financial data into actionable insights.

• Experience partnering with business stakeholders and communicating financial concepts to non-finance audiences.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple deadlines and priorities.

• Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills.

• Experience with enterprise planning, ERP, or business intelligence tools.

Preferred Qualifications

• 7+ years of progressive FP&A or corporate finance experience.

• Prior people management experience.

• Experience supporting operating departments in a complex organization.

• Experience with FP&A systems and data visualization tools.

• Experience improving or automating recurring financial processes.

Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey:

• Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage

• Company-paid pension and 401(k) match

• Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave

• Nine paid holidays and two personal days

• 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent

• Robust mental health resources

• Backup care and caregiver concierge services

• Gender affirming services

• Pet insurance

• Free Post digital subscription

• Leadership and career development programs

Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status.

The salary range for this position is:

The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.