Manager, Working Capital Advisory Services

Competitive business today is all about making intelligent, informed decisions. As a Manager within EY-Parthenon you will help make that happen.  You will be an important part of our diversely talented, highly experienced team and work at the forefront of high-profile transactions and business transformation.  The EY-Parthenon sub-service line comprises three competencies: Strategy; Transaction Strategy and Execution; and Turnaround and Restructuring Strategy. 

The Opportunity

EY’s Working Capital Advisory Services (WCAS) is the world’s largest practice of dedicated specialists in working capital optimization. WCAS helps our clients by identifying, evaluating and prioritizing actionable improvements to liberate significant cash from the balance sheet. WCAS identifies areas for improvement through developing prioritized strategies including process improvement and technology integration to optimize the cash conversion cycle and enhance cash forecasting and visibility.  This is further enabled by assisting organizations to transition to a cash-focused culture, leveraging proven frameworks and methodologies.

As a Manager in WCAS, you will be a vital member of the team leading and executing projects designed to drive business transformation and realize value for our clients. It will be your job to work with companies to identify cash flow improvement opportunities and help your clients implement changes to their processes and policies to achieve sustainable cash flow improvement. Managers on our team typically work with executive resources at our clients, lead one or several work-streams on engagements, and manage staff. Successful candidates will have had experience in process improvement and/or operations in one or a mix of the following areas: opportunity to cash/accounts receivable optimization, supply chain/inventory optimization, and/or procurement/ accounts payable.

Your key responsibilities

• Effectively lead and support engagement teams in executing scope of services and work with key management stakeholders to identify and implement sustainable improvements in a business’ cash conversion practices
• Assess a business' current policies and processes, lead analytical efforts involving transactional data, financial data, and/or supply chain data, identify root causes that have resulted in the current working capital position and propose/develop recommendations to management to enable value creation
• Demonstrate high levels of business acumen, subject matter expertise, and the ability to quickly assimilate new knowledge. Keep up-to-date with current developments and trends in advisory services capabilities, technology and sector specific knowledge
• Synthesize complex business issues, form initial hypotheses and identify the data / information required to confirm hypotheses
• Form “trusted advisor” relationships with VP, SVP and C-Suite level resources at clients, deliver high degree of client satisfaction on engagements
• Present solutions, issues and findings in both a concise written and oral format
• Effectively develop, train, and mentor team members with diverse skills and backgrounds
• Manage the financial aspects of engagements by organizing staffing, developing budgets, tracking fees and communicating issues to project leaders
• Successfully lead and support business development activities to secure additional services or add on projects through building relationships with internal EY and external client networks. Manage and maintain a pipeline of opportunities through identify to close.
• Provide support, guidance and vision in improving and enhancing the team’s practice delivery methodology
   

Skills and attributes for success

• Business and Commercially Driven - working in a fast-paced, exciting environment with strong business acumen to drive value to our clients and differentiate our services.
• Project Management – organized and can lead project teams, activities and deliverables with a variety of EY resources in a dynamic environment.
• Building Relationships - cultivate strong working relationships with clients, EY account teams and able to support key decision makers.
• Business Development –Contribute to our practice development with the ability to spot opportunities and work with account teams to bring ideas to market.
• Digital – a strong understanding of the digital transformation enablers for business processes and how to apply concepts for a client transformation
• Learning - learn and develop technical and personal skills to support achievement of career goals, through a blend of structured learning, coaching and experiences.

To qualify for the role, you must have a selection of:

• A bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree and at least 5 years of related work experience; management consulting experience is preferred.
• Must be willing and able to travel at least 25% on short notice (subject to client needs).
• A track record of delivering performance improvement projects related to supply chain/inventory optimization, sourcing/procurement or commercial/accounts receivable that deliver tangible results (cost reduction, process efficiency, cycle time improvement, etc.)
• Strong understanding of cash flow metrics and working capital operational levers.
• Demonstrated deep expertise in at one of the three major business processes (OTC, PTP, FTF).
• Experience leading and managing in complex business environments.
• The ability to prioritize effectively on projects and the skills to adapt quickly to new challenges and concepts.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with proven ability to develop business or propose and implement large-scale initiatives.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Strong technical and analytical capabilities – Excel required, familiarity with Microsoft applications (PowerBI, Azure, Databricks, SQL) and data analysis tools (e.g. Tableau, Alteryx) are a plus
   

Ideally, you’ll also have

• Experience gained within another large professional services organization
• Experience leading supply chain, procurement, operational cost reduction, and/or finance process optimization projects
   

What we look for

We’re interested in talented professionals with the ability to visualize our clients’ goals and think creatively to facilitate them - often in politically charged environments. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, and a genuine passion for taking on new challenges, this role is for you.

What Working at EY Offers

At EY, our Total Rewards package supports our commitment to creating a leading people culture - built on high-performance teaming - where everyone can achieve their potential and contribute to building a better working world 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. In addition, our Total Rewards package allows you to decide which benefits are right for you and which ones help you create a solid foundation for your future.  Our Total Rewards package includes a comprehensive medical, prescription drug and dental coverage, a defined contribution pension plan, a great vacation policy plus firm paid days that allow you to enjoy longer long weekends throughout the year, statutory holidays and paid personal days (based on province of residence), and a range of exciting programs and benefits designed to support your physical, financial and social well-being.

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

About EY

As a global leader in assurance, tax, strategy, transactions and consulting services, we’re using the finance products, expertise and systems we’ve developed to build a better working world. That starts with a culture that believes in giving you the training, opportunities and creative freedom to make things better. Whenever you join, however long you stay, the exceptional EY experience lasts a lifetime.

Diversity and Inclusion 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, advocating for the 2SLGBT+ community, promoting our Neurodiversity Centre of Excellence and Accessibility initiatives, and are dedicated to amplifying the voices of Indigenous people (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.