Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

The name "Fairwater" speaks to our firm and steadfast commitment to partnership, equity, and trust.

Position Title: Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis

Reports To:Senior Director of Finance

Schedule: Monday through Friday business hours and additional as required

Location: Dania Beach, FL.

Required Qualifications

Education

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

Experience

5 years of progressive experience in financial planning & analysis, business intelligence, or corporate finance. Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, forecasting, variance analysis, and executive reporting. Experience with BI tools (Power BI, Tableau, Qlik, or equivalent) and advanced data visualization. Proficiency in SQL, Python, or equivalent analytical languages. Solid understanding of GAAP, financial reporting standards, and internal controls. Experience with ERP systems (e.g., Workday, SAP, Oracle, NetSuite, or equivalent financial platforms).

Languages

English

Technical Skills

Expert-level Excel proficiency, including advanced formulas, complex financial modeling, and VBA/macros. Strong command of BI and data visualization tools. Ability to build automated, scalable reporting frameworks from raw data sources. Hands-on experience leveraging AI and machine learning tools in a finance context - including AI-assisted analysis, natural language reporting, or automation of analytical workflows (e.g., Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT/Claude for finance, or equivalent AI platforms).

Traits

Outstanding written and verbal communication skills with a demonstrated ability to present complex financial analysis to executive and non-finance audiences. Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and cross-functional initiatives simultaneously. Strong project management, stakeholder management, and collaborative working style. High intellectual curiosity with a strategic mindset and commitment to continuous improvement. Keen attention to detail balanced with the ability to synthesize insights at the executive level. Adaptable and comfortable navigating the unique operational and regulatory environment of Jones Act maritime operations.

Preferred Qualifications

Industry

Prior experience in maritime, Jones Act, shipping, logistics, or transportation industries is a plus but not required. Familiarity with maritime ERP or vessel management systems. Experience with advanced analytics platforms (Databricks, Azure, etc.).

Education

MBA preferred. CPA or CFA a plus. CMA, CFA, or equivalent finance/analytics certification a plus. AI-related credentials (e.g., Microsoft Copilot certification, Google AI Essentials, or equivalent) are a differentiator.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This is a hands-on role. The work spans the full analytical cycle: querying and structuring data, building and maintaining financial models, developing dashboards and reports, and delivering clear, driver-focused commentary to senior leadership and the board. The right candidate takes pride in the craft of financial analysis and finds genuine satisfaction in producing work that is accurate, well-structured, and immediately useful to the people who rely on it. Duties and responsibilities for this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Own and continuously maintain the annual budget process - from template design and department head coordination to consolidation, review meetings, and board-ready outputs.
• Lead quarterly and rolling forecast cycles, incorporating business updates, operational changes, and market dynamics to ensure forecast accuracy and relevance.
• Develop and maintain sophisticated driver-based financial models for short- and long-term strategic planning.
• Own and prepare monthly and quarterly financial reports and presentations, including Monthly Operating Reviews (MOR), Quarterly Business Reviews (QBR), and other recurring executive deliverables.
• Partner with senior leadership to validate forecast assumptions, strategic financial targets, and capital investment decisions.
• Conduct rigorous monthly and quarterly variance analysis with clear, driver-focused commentary for executive and board-level audiences.
• Support M&A financial analysis, capital allocation decisions, and strategic growth initiatives through robust scenario planning and valuation frameworks

Business Intelligence & Analytics

• Transform raw financial and operational data into actionable business intelligence - identifying trends, risks, and opportunities that inform strategic decisions.
• Design, build, and maintain dynamic executive dashboards and automated reporting solutions in Power BI for real-time fleet and corporate performance monitoring.
• Leverage SQL, Python, or equivalent tools to query, manipulate, and analyze large datasets across ERP and operational systems.
• Utilize AI tools and capabilities to enhance data analysis, surface patterns, generate commentary, and accelerate the delivery of financial insights to leadership.
• Serve as the organization's primary steward of financial data integrity - enforcing data governance policies and validating reporting accuracy across Finance, Accounting, and Operations.
• Track and report on KPIs across departments, enabling management to assess performance against plan at all levels of the organization.
• Support cross-departmental reporting requests, including ad-hoc analysis for executive leadership, technical, and operations teams.

Strategic Finance & Executive Support

• Develop executive-level materials that translate complex financial data into clear, concise, and visually compelling presentations for senior leadership and board meetings.
• Partner with Business Development to model contract economics, evaluate new business opportunities, and support commercial decision-making.
• Analyze historical performance, procurement trends, and operational costs to identify savings opportunities and improve profitability.
• Provide financial modeling support for Jones Act regulatory, fleet, and operational scenarios.

Process Excellence & Automation

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to streamline financial reporting cycles, reduce manual effort, and enhance analytical quality.
• Develop and maintain standardized reporting frameworks, analytical methodologies, and documentation for financial procedures.
• Drive automation initiatives - leveraging Excel/VBA, Python, and BI platforms - to improve data quality, accelerate close cycles, and expand analytical capabilities.
• Support ERP and financial technology implementations, including data migration and testing.

Cross-Functional Partnership & Leadership

• Act as the primary Finance liaison with Accounting, Operations, Technical, Commercial, and Business Development - coordinating across functions to ensure financial data integrity and alignment.
• Facilitate monthly results reviews with operational leadership to prioritize performance gaps and develop corrective action plans.
• Champion a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement across all Finance deliverables.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Vet/Disability

Fairwater reserves the right to revise or change job descriptions and responsibilities as the need arises.

This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment.