Principal - Finance Operations (Dow Jones Technology)

Job Description:

 As Principal - Finance Operations, you will transform Technology Finance Operations from a manual, spreadsheet-driven function into an AI-enabled, systems-oriented operating model that delivers greater speed, transparency, and operational leverage. 

You will own the business and financial operating cadence for Technology Operations while helping redesign how planning, governance, and execution works across both capital and operating investments. You will lead the redesign of the FY28 budget process, modernizing how Product, Engineering, and Design triads operate alongside PMO partners, business stakeholders and executives, and build scalable operating systems that allow Technology to accelerate with precision and accountability. 

This is a rare opportunity to build an operating model rather than inherit one. You will help shape how Technology plans investments, governs execution, and measures performance across a $300M+ portfolio while partnering directly with senior Technology and Finance leadership. 

You will report to the Vice President - Head of Financial Operations. 

Technology Operations is in the middle of a significant operating-model transformation: shifting from initiative tracking to OKR-driven governance, driving a vendor-partnered efficiency transformation, consolidating location strategy around strategic hubs, and redesigning processes with automation and AI-enabled capabilities at the core. Business Operations helps translate these strategic priorities into measurable operational and financial outcomes.

Working across Technology, Finance, Sourcing, Human Resources, the PMO, and external vendors, our team provides the operational discipline, financial stewardship, and governance needed to turn strategy into execution, enable better investment decisions, and build a simpler, more scalable operating model.

• Own the Technology Operations business management function, establishing the operating rhythm for planning, forecasting, decision support, governance, and execution

• Lead the redesign of the FY28 budget process

• Oversee the operating cadence for the $300M+ Product & Technology budget

• Reengineer recurring financial and operational workflows by replacing manual processes with automation, intelligent workflows, and durable management systems

• Partner with Finance, Sourcing, Human Resources, PMO, and Technology Executive and other stakeholders to translate strategic priorities into annual and multi-year operating plans

• Improve governance and planning across triads by strengthening decision-making, planning discipline, accountability, and operating transparency in partnership with PMO leadership

• Build and continuously evolve executive dashboards, KPIs, and operating reviews

• Oversee vendor and investment governance across a complex technology portfolio

• Establish scalable governance and financial controls across planning, forecasting, reporting, capitalization, and monthly operating reviews

• Identify and deliver cost optimization opportunities while protecting service quality, resiliency, and long-term transformation objectives

• Continuously raise the standard for business operations, financial stewardship, systems thinking, and execution excellence

• 12+ years’ experience in business operations, financial operations, FP&A, PMO, strategic planning, or related leadership roles supporting technology, infrastructure, or enterprise operations

• Significant experience managing budgets, forecasts, business cases, capitalization planning, and executive financial reporting within complex organizations

• A proven track record of redesigning operating models, governance frameworks, planning processes, or business management functions

• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional transformation in ambiguous, high-impact environments while influencing senior leaders across multiple functions

• Strong expertise in financial operations, vendor management, investment governance, cost optimization, and executive reporting

• Experience designing executive dashboards, KPIs, and operating review mechanisms that improve business decisions

• Proven ability to translate strategic priorities into structured plans, measurable outcomes, and repeatable operating systems

• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and align organizations without direct authority.

• A systems-thinking mindset with sound business judgment and a bias toward simplification, standardization, and continuous improvement

• Experience designing, implementing, or leading the adoption of automation, analytics, dashboards, or AI-enabled workflows that materially reduced manual work in finance, planning, or business operations

• Comfort working hands-on with automation, advanced analytics, and modern technology to improve cycle time, quality, and operational effectiveness

• Bachelor's degree -or- equivalent practical experience