Job Information
Alaska Airlines Director Accounting Operations in Seattle, Washington
Company Alaska Airlines
The Team
Guided by our purpose, core values, and leadership principles, we are creating an airline people love. Our corporate teams set the strategies and operational plans to ensure the success of our company. Whether we use our expertise in accounting, human resources, finance, planning, legal, marketing, or any of our operational divisions, our shared passion for travel and our guests is what motivates us to achieve excellence each day. If you share our passion for creating an airline people love, we want to hear from you.
Role Summary
The Director, Accounting Operations establishes the long-term strategy and the financial performance for accounting operations and oversees the accounts payable and fuel accounting functions at Alaska Air (AAG). This role establishes strategic goals and direction and is charged with delivering modernization projects for AAG’s payables function, and partners with peers in Finance Systems and Supply Chain to deliver a cohesive vision for modernization of the procure-to-pay process. As a leader of leaders, the Director is charged with ensuring the team and processes are scalable as needed to support AAG’s growth plans.
Key Duties
Leads the accounts’ payable function and is responsible for the overall quality of service delivery from accounts payable to the organization.
Leads fuel accounting function which handles transaction processing of fuel-related activities, ensuring timely payments and resolution of billing discrepancies.
Leads and partners on procure-to-pay automation, digitization, and process transformation, as well as utilizing broad knowledge of supplier management, accounts payable, payment processing, to oversee key policies and compliance within this process.
Utilizes monitoring, analytics, and key metrics to measure the health of the functions under purview.
Acts as an escalation point of contact for both external (suppliers) and internal (Treasury, Supply Chain, Operations) stakeholders to address vendor and payment issues in a timely manner.
Champions a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement within Accounting Operations. Models and encourages open, honest, and direct communications.
Leverages work downward to optimally utilize subject matter experts and to create development opportunities for team members at all levels.
Manages and reviews the accurate and timely performance of month end processes, including review of key reconciliations, for the AP organization.
Supports requests from other departments within AAG as well as external auditors, ensuring conflicts and questions are resolved as they arise.
Transformation & Process Enhancement Duties
Creates a long-term strategic vision and leads the team that will transform AAG’s procure-to-pay process in partnership with other key leaders across the organization. This includes, but is not limited to, identifying, and implementing business process improvements, recommending, and implementing relevant technology improvements, and driving significant change management efforts for impacted stakeholders.
Partners with colleagues in Finance Systems and Supply Chain to establish cross divisional alignment with the long-term strategic vision.
Helps develop and co-owns a multi-year technology roadmap for P2P solutions to enable delivery of the long-term strategic vision.
Employs practical methods and action steps to make progress towards the future state over the short and long-term.
Leverages proven project planning methods to track initiatives, hold people accountable and anticipate obstacles along P2P transformation journey, while openly exchanging ideas and elevating concerns with working team members and stakeholders.
Holds a key role on the P2P Steering Committee, actively engaging to provide updates, metrics, and insights to executive leadership. Integrated and influencing P2P best practices and industry best practices, continuously tailoring insights to fit AAG’s scale, complexity, and P2P change plan.
Direct and Manage Performance
Attracts, motivates, develops, and retains a high-performing team to continually improve the AP function.
Fosters collaboration, transparency and a results-oriented mindset amongst the team and finance stakeholders.
Develops direct and indirect reports through active performance management and ongoing feedback, focusing on fostering strategic and systems thinking, development of talent, and succession planning across teams and disciplines.
Drives process improvement mindset across the AP team, leveraging project management and change management skills to deliver results.
Models and encourages open, honest, and direct communications and encourages open debate to get to optimal solutions. Shape culture of the team through action, presence, and reinforcement of behaviors.
Job-Specific Experience, Education & Skills
Required
8 years of Accounts Payable experience within a complex business environment, or related experience.
5 years of direct people leadership experience.
Bachelor’s degree with a focus in business administration, finance, accounting, or a related discipline, or an additional two years of relevant training/experience in lieu of this degree.
Experience in change/project management, successfully delivering process transformation and systems implementation in an AP / P2P environment.
Demonstrated ability to deliver on significant change efforts and influence across multiple divisions.
Change management experience across the project lifecycle, including the ability to deal with issues when they arise and embed solutions into business-as-usual processes.
High energy, positive presence along with strong written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent organization, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a rapidly changing, collaborative environment.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).
High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Minimum age of 18.
Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
Preferred
Experience with accounting and finance process transformation and system implementations.
Experience with modern procure-to-pay tools and technology solutions.
Proficiency with PeopleSoft ERP systems.
Experience leading union represented workers is preferred.
Job-Specific Leadership Expectations
Embody our values to own safety, do the right thing, be kind-hearted, deliver performance, and be remarkable.
Strong communication (e.g., verbal, written, presentation) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to create collaborative relationships that drive outcomes in the best interest of the company, with others in the organization, and with key external business partners.
Proven ability to leverage business acumen and analytic capability to position the organization as a critical business partner.
Ability to engage with and establish credibility with business partners at the most senior/executive level.
Salary Range
$151,700-$250,300 / year
Salary Details
The pay range and total target compensation package listed above is the expected pay offered for this position at the start of employment. Your pay will be based on multiple factors, including and not limited to location, your relevant experience/level, experience level, and skillset while balancing internal equity relative to other Alaska/Horizon employees. Alaska/Horizon is committed to fair, unbiased compensation along with competitive benefits in all locations in which we operate.
Total Rewards
Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air pay and benefits can vary by company, location, number of regularly scheduled hours worked, length of employment, and employment status.
Free stand-by travel privileges on Alaska Airlines & Horizon Air with high priority status
Select number of confirmed travel credits provided annually
Comprehensive well-being programs including medical, dental and vision benefits
Generous 401k match program
Quarterly and annual bonus plans
Generous holiday and paid time off
For more information about Alaska/Horizon Total Rewards please visit our career site and view benefits.
FLSA Status Exempt
Employment Type Full-Time
Regular/Temporary Regular
Requisition Type Management
Apply by 7:00 PM Pacific Time on 6/1/2023
Location Seattle
Equal Employment Opportunity We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action (AA) employer that is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We take affirmative action to ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants and employees and do not discriminate based upon race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disability status, genetic information (including family medical history), political views or activity, or other legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local law. We may use your information to maintain the safety and security of Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, its employees, and others as required or permitted by law. People of color, women, LGBTQIA+, immigrants, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Job Locations USA-WA-Seattle
Requisition ID 2023-10711
Category Corporate & Operations
Workplace Type Onsite
Alaska Airlines
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