Assistant Director - Portfolio Finance Advisor

The opportunity

The Portfolio Financial Advisor (PFA) – Assistant Director is a member of a high performing and mixed rank PFA team led by the Markets Finance Lead.  The PFA will be part of an extended global PFA network and is at the forefront of finance and business policies, tools and best practices to effectively support Client Servers (CS).

Aligned to a Service Line (SL), the PFA will play a leading role, teaming closely with other finance and cross-functional teams to meet the needs of the SL.  They will have a deep understanding of the SL’s financial performance with a strong focus on margin, leveraging their insights to shape initiatives and strategies that will lead to improved performance. 

The PFA is an expert in advising PPEDs and their teams on how to optimize margin at a pursuit, engagement or portfolio level where there is the greatest complexity and materiality, drawing on strong commercial, financial and consulting skills. 

Your key responsibilities

Takes the lead at a Service Line level

• Provides deep business insight related to margin, revenue recognition and inventory performance
• Focuses on scenarios and portfolios that are most complex, unique and material in nature
• Works closely with the Markets Finance Lead to shape solutions and/or drive ad-hoc projects that improve support and advice to CS
• Shares forward-looking insights gained from working closely with CS and other PFAs to ensure SL leadership are equipped with the knowledge to enable better business decisions

Effective Teaming

• Teams with other PFAs and members of the finance organization, as well as with cross-functional teams, to foster positive and collaborative relationships, share knowledge, agree priorities and shape strategies
• Works closely with the Markets Finance Lead and others to shape training strategies to strengthen the broader markets finance team’s competencies to ensure exceptional client service

Drives continuous improvement

• Proactively identify opportunities for improvement across portfolio, developing and implementing best practices and processes to optimize financial performance
• Shares knowledge, collaborates and drives business focus within the markets finance teams
• Develops and maintains a SL network across the global PFA community to share and develop solutions and best practices
• Stays up-to-date with the firm’s latest policies, processes and tools to propose recommendations where appropriate

Analytical/Decision Making

• Analyzes and consumes significant levels of data to form and communicate a crisp view of SL margin performance, both historic and forward looking
• Provides financial modelling and advice to support pricing decisions which optimize margin and overall financial performance
• Strong ability to assess drivers of financial performance to help pinpoint root causes with outcomes that generate opportunities for improvement

Skills and attributes for success

Financial, business and commercial acumen

• Proven financial and commercial acumen of advising on complex and/or material scenarios
• Strong knowledge of EY’s financial tools and processes
• Ability to synthesize detailed knowledge into focused insights and actionable recommendations
• Robust understanding of financial and commercial drivers and interdependencies

Client focused

• Drives interactions that quickly builds trust
• Ability to tailor their knowledge to the specific needs of a situation they are required to advise on
• Ability to look at issues from a client server perspective, understanding the commercial pressures they face
• Strong awareness of leadership needs and focus to provide effective advice and recommendations

Communication

• Superior stakeholder management skills
• Presents and communicates clearly, concisely and persuasively through both verbal and presentation modes
• Able to recognize and flex their style or approach to influence and collaborate with stakeholders

Continuous improvement

• Develop and lead the implementation of an initiative that has led to measurable financial improvement
• Focus on how best to enable CS and stakeholders that results in business benefits
• Demonstrates deep knowledge of the firms’ and/or SL tools, processes and policies and able to impart this knowledge in an effective manner

What we look for

• Completion of a four year college degree (e.g. Bachelor’s degree) is required to perform this position
• A minimum of 8 years of relevant experience is preferred to perform this position

The salary range for this job in British Columbia is $92,300 to $153,800. Individual salaries within this range are determined through a wide variety of factors including but not limited to education, experience, knowledge, skills and work location city.

What we offer 

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming – where you can shape the future with confidence for our people, our clients and our communities. It's one of the many reasons we repeatedly win awards for being a great place to work.

We offer a competitive compensation package where you’ll be rewarded based on your performance and recognized for the value you bring to our business. Plus, we offer:

• Support, coaching and feedback from some of the most engaging colleagues around
• Opportunities to develop new skills and progress your career
• The freedom and flexibility to handle your role in a way that’s right for you

Inclusiveness at EY 

Diversity and inclusiveness are at the heart of who we are and how we work. We’re committed to fostering an environment where differences are valued, policies and practices are equitable, and our people feel a sense of belonging. We embrace diversity and are committed to combating systemic racism, advancing gender equity and women in leadership, advocating for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, promoting our neuroinclusion and accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous peoples (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) nationally as we strive towards reconciliation. Our diverse experiences, abilities, backgrounds, and perspectives make our people unique and help guide us. Because when people feel free to be their authentic selves at work, they bring their best and are empowered to build a better working world.