Financial Planning & Analysis Lead, Lifestyle

Company Description
Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview
Ralph Lauren seeks an experienced Finance professional to lead the Corporate Lifestyle FP&A team. This individual will be key partner to global divisions supporting Creative / Brand Image, Hospitality, RL Store Development and Home, and will serve as primary financial liaison between Corporate Lifestyle leaders and the business, Accounting and Retail Finance teams. The responsibilities will include overseeing two staff, monthly financial analyses and reporting, forecasting and cost management & optimization, annual planning, finance operational oversight, ad hoc business analyses, and driving initiatives in support of the fiscal year strategic operating plan. The ideal candidate is a proactive financial professional with strong interpersonal and organization navigation skills, who possesses the ability to work cross-functionally and collaboratively to manage and deliver priorities accurately, on-time, and with a high- degree of analytical proficiency and integrity. This position requires strong foundational knowledge of finance and accounting and demonstrated experience supporting financial planning activities and delivering fact-based recommendations to multiple stakeholders throughout an organization. Prior FP&A experience supporting retail business functions is strongly preferred.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Partnerships
• Act as key financial partner and advisor to the Chief Lifestyle Officer and the executive officers leading the Lifestyle functions: Creative / Brand Image, Hospitality, RL Store Development and Home
• Drive strategic decision-making & champion change, proactively identifying/vetting new business initiatives & investments
• Serve as key finance representative in Lifestyle leadership meetings/executive presentations (e.g., to CEO, COO, CFO, etc.) Monthly P&L Close/Forecast Preparation & Expense Management
• Oversee/manage monthly close, forecasting, and reporting objectives for supported divisions (i.e., Global Lifestyle). Analyze operating results vs forecast, plan and prior year (variance analyses); compile deliverables per monthly timelines
• Manage month-end close process which includes journal prep, accruals, collecting supporting documentation, variance analysis, and reporting prep for executive review
• Develop strong relationships with the leaders of each Corporate/functional area as well as with business/regional leaders, meeting regularly to ensure financials targets are achieved and to manage forecast risks and opportunities
• Monitor and control costs, proactively reviewing, identifying and implementing global expense optimization initiatives
• Build detailed financial models and forecasts to support short-term and long-term strategic planning
• Partner with Business teams to align on inputs and key drivers for monthly close and forecast activities
• Create business cases to support capital projects; partnering with owners to ensure projects achieve performance targets
• Preparation of deliverables for quarterly Corporate/Global reports, Business reviews and budget reviews
• Perform ad hoc analyses, reports and presentations; make recommendations to Corporate, Business and Finance partners Annual Budget Preparation
• Oversee and own the development of the Global Strategic Business Budget for Creative / Brand Image, Hospitality, RL Store Development and Home
• Partner with Corporate and Business leads as well as regional finance teams to develop short- and long-term financial Plans
• Perform operational analyses for budget presentation, including historical reviews, industry benchmarking, etc. Process Analysis and Enhancement
• Through financial partnership with Corporate and Business partners, ensure teams are following appropriate Corporate and Financial policies/processes. Alert management of potential areas of exposure or risk of proper compliance.
• Analyze existing processes and identify process improvement opportunities and provide support as new processes are coordinated and put in place within and across divisions and regions
• Build and enhance Finance Lifestyle reporting, leveraging automation and AI where relevant Leadership and Managing Others
• Lead and manage Corporate Lifestyle finance team of 2 direct reports as well as indirectly lead and manage the Regional Lifestyle finance teams in North America, Europe and Asia (5 finance professionals), delivering results and deliverables within the targeted timelines
• Foster and maintain a collaborative and results-driven culture, promoting teamwork, diversity, inclusion, and empowerment with accountability

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Experience in Finance or Accounting
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive experience in financial planning and analysis, reporting and performance management, preferably within the retail apparel industry
• Proven team leader, passionate about talent development, including for broader teams
• Strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
• Expert financial planning and modeling skills
• Strong communications and presentation skills; including the ability to provide written and verbal direction effectively, up, down and across an organization
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including deadline-sensitive priorities
• Flexibility in adjusting and reprioritizing to meet the changing needs in a fast-paced work environment
• Team player with strong work ethic & drive for results, able to effectively collaborate & partner with internal stakeholders with an Enterprise mindset
• Passionate about technology as an enabler to business success
• Experience with Hyperion Essbase, SAP and BI
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint RL COMPETENCIES (Key Success Drivers for role):
• Demonstrates Functional Knowledge and Skills
• Consistently Delivers Results
• Collaborates Multi-functionally with an Enterprise Mindset
• Communicates Effectively Across Stakeholders
• Develops Self & Others to Build Teams and Capabilities