Financial Project Manager

Purpose: Latham & Watkins LLP, a premier international law firm with over 1,800 attorneys and nearly 4,000 employees in 10 different countries across the globe, is experiencing tremendous growth and due to the growth we are seeking a Financial Project Manager who will bring innovation and out of the box thinking. The Financial Project Manager must be creative, strategic, tactical and must possess superb planning skills. He/she will serve as a catalyst for the execution of firm-wide/global projects and will be responsible for the implementation of financial systems. In addition to the defined projects, the ideal candidate will research and seek solutions for improving existing concepts and or procedures. The Financial Project Manager will act as a liaison between Finance, Technology and Senior Management to define business requirements and to structure business initiatives by developing project documentation standards, project plans, cost analysis and (ROI) return on investment analysis. Additionally, he/she will:

* Manage and develop firm wide finance accounting project plans. Organize, assign, delegate and manage the work of a staff to ensure firm objectives are met timely and accurately.
* Will bring creative project management tools to develop project documentation, work plans and cost analysis. Will keep abreast of project trends and technologies in order to provide recommendations and process improvement solutions.
* Responsible for re-vamping of the financial accounting policies and procedures
* Will be a key member of the disaster recovery program.
* Will support the Financial Accounting department by developing reporting tools/matrix for project analysis.


Required Qualifications:
Education Requirements:

Bachelor's degree required, preferably in Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Sciences, or related field.
* MBA a plus.
* Project Management certification a plus.
Experience Requirements:

Minimum of seven (5) years of general accounting or operational accounting experience is required along with financial reporting, month end close, and business analytics.
* Minimum four (4) years of experience managing complex financial/accounting projects preferably in a professional services environment.
* Ability to lead and drive complex operational projects.
* Highly proficient in Microsoft applications, such as, Excel, Word and PowerPoint. Solid working knowledge of MS Project or Visio required
* PMP certification is a plus, but not required
* Must have outstanding analytical/problem solving skills, with an ability to interact with all levels of the organization
* Strong work ethic; ability to follow-through and bring projects to completion within established timeline
* Excellent time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and set priorities
* Ability to work constructively within a team setting as well as work collaboratively * Demonstrated ability to think creatively and provide strategic support to the Operations Controller
* Superior written and oral communication skills are required along with excellent interpersonal skills.
* Demonstrated ability to deliver platform presentation
* Occasional travel required.