Senior Analyst, FinOps

Job Title: Senior Analyst, FinOps

Location: Remote

Summary:

The Senior FinOps Analyst plays a critical role in managing and optimizing cloud financial operations, ensuring the efficient utilization of cloud resources, and driving cost-effective solutions. This position involves comprehensive analysis of cloud spending, development and implementation of cost management strategies, and collaboration with various departments to align financial practices with business goals. The Senior FinOps Analyst is also responsible for generating detailed financial reports, conducting variance analyses, and providing actionable insights to guide decision-making. Additionally, the role includes ensuring compliance with financial policies and governance frameworks to control and reduce cloud expenditures. The ideal candidate is an analytical thinker with strong financial acumen, technical expertise in cloud platforms, and exceptional communication skills, capable of influencing and driving financial efficiency across the organization.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

• Cloud Cost Management: * Monitor, analyze, and optimize cloud spending across various cloud platforms. Develop and implement strategies to reduce costs and improve financial efficiency. * Develop and implement automation tools to optimize cloud resource allocation and reduce unnecessary expenditures.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: * Prepare and present monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports related to cloud costs, including key performance indicators (KPIs) and trend analyses. * Conduct detailed variance analysis to explain deviations from budget and forecast, providing actionable recommendations for cost management.
• Collaboration and Communication: * Work closely with IT Operations, finance, and procurement teams to align cloud spending with organizational goals. Communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders at all levels. * Facilitate cross-functional meetings and workshops to educate teams on cloud cost management best practices and financial implications.
• Policy and Compliance: * Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to cloud expenditures. * Develop and enforce governance policies to control cloud costs effectively and ensure adherence to organizational financial guidelines. * Conduct regular audits and compliance checks to ensure all cloud expenditures are justified and align with company policies.

Dimensions:

Personnel Supervised: None directly but may lead project teams and cross-functional initiatives.

Budget Manage: Responsible for managing and optimizing cloud budgets, typically in the range of $10M to $15M annually.

Assets Managed: Oversee cloud resources and services across multiple platforms (e.g., MS Azure).

Cost Savings Targets: Identify and implement cloud cost savings initiatives equivalent to total compensation annually through optimization strategies, cost avoidance, and financial efficiencies.

Minimum knowledge, skills and abilities required to successfully perform major duties/responsibilities:

* Analytical Skills: Strong ability to analyze financial data, identify trends, and provide insights for cost optimization.

* Technical Knowledge: Proficiency in cloud platforms (AWS, Azure, GCP) and cloud cost management tools (e.g., CloudHealth, CloudCheckr).

* Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present findings to senior management.

* Problem-Solving Abilities: Strong problem-solving skills to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement effective solutions.

* Attention to Detail: High level of accuracy and attention to detail in financial analysis and reporting.

* Time Management: Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, prioritizing workload to meet deadlines.

* Compliance Knowledge: Understanding of financial policies, procedures, and compliance requirements related to cloud spending.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Information systems, or a related field. MBA or related advanced degree is preferred. *
• Certifications: Relevant certifications such as AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, or FinOps Certified Practitioner are highly desirable.

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in financial analysis, cost management, or a related field, with at least 2 years of experience specifically in cloud financial operations (FinOps).
• Technical Training: Proficiency in using financial software, cloud cost management tools, and advanced Excel skills.