Senior Financial Planning & Analysis Analyst

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 Sr. Analyst to join the North America Retail FP&A team supporting the following divisions: Creative / Brand Image, Hospitality, and RL Store Development. The responsibilities will include monthly proactive financial analyses and reporting, forecasting and cost management, annual planning, finance operational oversight, and ad hoc business analyses. The ideal candidate will be a proactive financial professional with the ability to manage and deliver priorities accurately, on-time, and with a high degree of analytical proficiency and integrity. This position requires good foundational knowledge of finance and accounting, demonstrated experience supporting financial planning activities, and successful partnerships with others throughout company.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Monthly P&L Close/Forecast Preparation & Expense Management
• Perform monthly close, forecasting, and reporting objectives for supported divisions. Analyze operating results against forecast, plan and prior year (variance analyses) and compile all deliverables per monthly timelines
• Develop strong relationships with the leaders of each functional area and meet regularly to analyze and improve expense performance and to identify forecast risks and opportunities
• Responsible for rolling forward and maintaining all close and forecast models, with a focus on accuracy of data
• Analyze and review financial data in GL, incl. invoices against plan/ forecast to ensure validity, accuracy and completeness
• Analyze operating results against department plans, prepare monthly forecasts and manage results to meet plan targets; consistently review results with business partners
• Support month-end close process which includes: journal prep, accruals, collecting supporting documentation, variance analysis, and reporting prep for exec review
• Partner with business teams to align on inputs and key drivers for monthly close and forecast activities
• Ensure consistency and accuracy of the information across reporting packages and deliverables
• Perform ad hoc analyses, reports and presentations and make recommendations to business and finance partners Annual Plan Preparation and Management
• Assist with the development and management of Division Plan and supporting schedules
• Partner with business leads to develop short-term and long-term financial plans
• Perform various operational analyses for budget presentation, including historical reviews, industry benchmarking, base analysis, acquisition analysis, etc. Process Analysis and Improvement
• Through financial partnership with business partners, ensure teams are following appropriate Corp 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
• Build Finance reporting that leverages systemic reporting

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Experience in Finance and/or Accounting
• Preferred 2-3 years of Finance, Accounting; FP&A in a multinational or retail company preferred
• Strong organizational, analytical and interpersonal skills
• 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 possessing a strong work ethic and drive for results
• Strong communications and presentation skills; incl the ability to provide written and verbal direction effectively
• Must be self-motivated/self-starter with the ability to work independently to resolve problems with limited information
• Superb financial modeling skills
• Experience with Hyperion Essbase, SAP and / other financial databases
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft PowerPoint