VP, Finance Automotive CFO

Overview of Position

The Auto CFO, VP of Finance, will be a trusted advisor and partner to the Auto business segment ($4 billion of annual revenue), driving the overall financial performance of the business.  Reporting directly to the Deputy CFO, with a dotted line reporting relationship to the Auto BU President, this position will directly manage an approximate 10 person team. 

Through an in-depth knowledge of both the strategy and financials of the Auto business, the Auto CFO will provide strategic support, direction and recommendations in order to maximize the growth in value of the business.  Consistent with overall growth strategy & alignment to Enterprise goals, the Auto CFO will recommend actions to increase value and profitability of the business based on strong financial metrics and analysis.  

The role is responsible for financial management and reporting for the Auto business, ensuring overall alignment between our business goals and financial targets.  The role is responsible for financial management of targets, articulating threats and opportunities and will participate in corporate financial issues including shareholder value, planning, capital allocation, mergers & acquisitions, and overall reporting and financial policies. 

What will be my responsibilities for this position?

Support of BU President in growing value: 

Through an in-depth financial knowledge of the Auto business, the Auto CFO is constantly looking for ways to improve its financial performance.  This will include, for example, analysis of the financial performance of products and clients, guiding profitability analysis in conjunction with other departments, for example accounting.  The Auto CFO will be a trusted partner of the BU President in guiding and influencing decisions of the business and advising on financial implications and trade-offs. 

Connection to market dynamics and proven risk management expertise: 

The Auto CFO will leverage past experiences & an in depth knowledge of both the insurance and the auto industry to proactively manage business risk.  Additionally, the Auto CFO will draw a link to external market factors and business performance, proactively making decisions to hedge against market risks. 

Communication to senior management:

The Auto CFO will be the primary financial contact to all Auto business leaders as well as the financial spokesperson for the Auto business. The Auto CFO leads preparation and communication on financial results, forecasts, and longer term strategic plans, presenting to key stakeholders (e.g. internal management committee, senior executives). 

Driver of Financial Performance: 

The Auto CFO is responsible for delivering the annual financial objectives of the business (both short and longer term).  In this role, he/she will be constantly looking for adjustments during the year that would help mitigate any offsets or provide clarity on the use of amounts leading to an excess over Plan. The role will be responsible for supporting the BU President in any “course correction” actions needed during a given year. 

Financial Analytics:

A core responsibility and requirement to perform all responsibilities is a deep knowledge of the financial performance of the business and its underlying clients.  The Auto CFO is responsible for analyzing and communicating the key aspects of performance, including key financial levers of the business, identifying emerging issues, threats and opportunities.  The Auto CFO will drive accurate and insightful financial forecasting, using leading indicators and scenario model to improve the predictability of the business, creating a bias toward action. 

M&A:

Provides financial leadership to support M&A and divestiture transactions (e.g. financial modeling, finance diligence, strategic fit); Ensure financial synergies & targets are met post integration. 

Expense & Profit Margin Management: 

The Auto CFO will be responsible for analyzing expenses while identifying and proposing actions to optimize the expense base of the business. 

Return on Investment:

Achieving a satisfactory and optimal return on its investments is critical to growing the value of the business and for AIZ. As such, the role will be involved in all material investment or expense decisions and the tracking of their performance once made.  Investments include all types of investments including but not limited to commercial development (products, clients), headcount, operations, IT, M&A etc.  As such, a key component of the role will be in advising the Auto President and AIZ Deputy CFO of those investments that are not meeting its requirements and providing recommendations including slowing or stopping investments. 

Risk Assessment:  <