Platform Director - Dealership Accounting Operations

Dealership: L0642 North Central Finance Center Platform Director The Platform Director is the business partner for store operation leaders and oversees certain accounting functions in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, financial management techniques and practices appropriate within the industry. Responsibilities will include performing detailed analytical projects, action plan tracking, and information gathering while influencing effectiveness at all levels of the organization, adapting to rapidly changing business needs, driving execution, process design, and collaborating across multiple functions. The Platform Director reports directly to the Platform CFO and has direct management responsibilities for a team of business managers. Travel to areas of oversight and corporate meetings will be required to support business needs. *oversight of 5-6, with potential for more. *Position will be physically based in the greater Detroit area. If not already in the area, relocation to the area will be needed. Responsibilities Operate at a tactical, strategic and operational level, as the business partner to company leadership. Coordinate and partner with Operations leadership in operational performance reviews at the store and local levels including creating materials to highlight improvement areas and strategic focuses. Coordinate and partner with Operations leadership on pre- and post-acquisition activities to facilitate successful integration including onboarding of new teams, identification of process changes and training needs. Determine and track metrics that measure the successful implementation of various strategic projects and initiatives, report out on conclusions driven by data and analysis. Proactively identify issues that could impact the successful achievement of business objectives or initiative success; identify and elevate those issues to the Operations leadership team to resolve the problem and further mitigate the risk. Manage the financial month-end close process. This includes overseeing the team responsible for the general ledgers and ensuring financial results are recorded timely and accurately. Provide oversight of projects that do not neatly fit within the organizational structure or that fall between departments or leadership areas of responsibility Liaison with the Performance Management team, build and generate project specific reporting as needed Liaison with the Accounting Shared Services teams to ensure effective, timely processing of business-related transactions Analyzes P&L and identifies opportunities to increase revenue or decrease costs Skills and Qualifications The following knowledge, skills and abilities are needed to be successful in this position: BS or BA in accounting, finance, or economics; CPA desirable, but not required. Management experience required. Automotive industry experience required Strong project management skills. Ability to set priorities and perform a variety of complex and broad work assignments. Self-motivated, proactive, and possess exceptional project management and time management skills. Strong attention to detail, sense of urgency, and excellent communication skills. Critical Thinking – using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems. 8 years' experience supporting a business or division, 3 in a FP&A preferred Competencies Does the right thing, takes action and adapts to change Self-motivates, believes in accountability, focuses on results, makes plans and follows through Shares best practices, desires to keep learning, measures performance and adapts to improve results We offer best in class industry benefits: Competitive pay Medical, Dental and Vision Plans Paid Holidays & PTO Short and Long-Term Disability Paid Life Insurance 401(k) Retirement Plan Employee Stock Purchase Plan Lithia Learning Center Vehicle Purchase Discounts Wellness Programs High School graduate or equivalent, 18 years or older required. Acceptable driving record and a valid driver's license in your state of residence necessary for select roles. We are a drug free workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity (regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status). We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. At Lithia & Driveway, we stand by our mission of Growth Powered by People, as we build a workplace that ignites ideas and opportunities to Earn Customers for Life. Our focus is on making the customer experience better; as we aim to meet our customers’ needs whether in person, online or a combination of both. Lithia & Driveway is the largest automotive retailer in North America and listed on the Fortune 500 (NYSE: LAD). Drive your career forward with roles in Sales, Finance, Service, Technology and Corporate. With thousands of vehicles and hundreds of locations, the career possibilities are endless. Join us as we accelerate towards growth in automotive and beyond!