Finance Director, R&D

Xylem |ˈzīləm|

1) The tissue in plants that brings water upward from the roots;

2) a leading global water technology company.

Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, is the leading global provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable water technologies improving the way water is used, managed, conserved and re-used. Our international team is unified in a common purpose: creating advanced technology and other trusted solutions to solve the world’s water challenges. We are committed to creating an organization of inclusion and diversity, where everyone feels involved, respected, valued and connected, and where everyone is free to bring their authentic selves and ideas.

If you are excited and passionate about helping us #letssolvewater, we want to hear from you!  

The Role: The Finance Director, R&D reports the Senior Director of Finance for Global Sensus. This role is the key financial stakeholder in the global new product development process at Sensus. This will include evaluation of a dynamic R&D investment portfolio and ensuring they meet business objectives while delivering on expected rate of returns. The Finance Director demonstrates accountability for functional, business, and broad company objectives. In this role you will integrate and develop processes that meet business needs across the organization, manage complex issues within functional area of expertise, be involved in long-term planning, and contribute to the overall business strategy.     

Essential Duties/Principal Responsibilities:

• Managing dynamic global R&D investment portfolio; provide month end review and variance analysis on spend performance
• Ensuring R&D investments are delivering expected returns
• Driving productivity ideas to optimize effectiveness of R&D investments
• Keeping tabs on XPD commits to ensure they fit within available funding limitations
• Partner with product management to develop, implement and track key portfolio metrics
• ROI analysis & evaluation of proposed investments
• Long range planning & modeling
• Evaluating effectiveness of our new product development process to determine if adequate returns on investment are achieved
• Involvement in development of roadmap for new product development strategy
• Evaluation of ongoing new product projects to ensure they are tracking financially as planned
• Lead annual budget & quarterly forecast process for R&D / Product Marketing areas
• Participate as finance lead on the Sensus Product Leadership Team council, and vote as finance gatekeeper for all NPI investments
• Review and oversight of capital investment requests for segment
• Participation in Xylem Watermark volunteer activities

Minimum Qualifications: Education, Experience, Skills, Abilities, License/Certification: 

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• At least 7 additional years of experience in progressive financial positions
• Proven ability to influence & drive decision making process
• Strong analytical acumen and experience with internal development investment portfolios
• Anticipating and adapting to evolving needs
• Critical thinking and willingness to challenge when necessary
• Proven ability to partner with and influence leadership
• Creating and driving a sense of urgency

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's of Business Administration or professional certification/CPA is preferred
• Strong computer and MS Office skills
• People management / leadership experience
• Strong oral and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Ability to anticipate, identify, and resolve complex financial issues
• Experience managing a dynamic portfolio of products and helping business leaders evaluate portfolio decisions.

We Offer You More Than Just “A Job”

• Professional Development – To advance the capabilities of our people, we offer a wide variety of experiences to support our employees’ professional growth and continuous learning.
• Total Rewards – We offer comprehensive programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, work-life integration and corporate citizenship.
• Watermark – Watermark is our corporate social responsibility program working to provide education and access to safe water to ensure healthy lives, gender equality, and resilient communities. Employees have the opportunity to learn and volunteer on various water-related projects.
• Employee Networks – Our Employee Networks provide a professional, supportive network for employees from diverse backgrounds, including Women’s, LGBT and Allies, Veteran’s, People of Color and Allies, Hispanic Origin & Latin Affinity, Emerging Leaders, and Working Parents Networks.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

(The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters and must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

• Regularly required to sit or stand, reach, bend, and move about the facility
• Office: Standard office equipment; work usually performed in an office setting free from any disagreeable elements
• Standard weekly job hours: 40 hours

Xylem is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.