Manager, Cobrand Cards – Loyalty Finance

JOB SUMMARY

Reporting to the Sr. Director, Cobrand Cards and Emerging Businesses - Loyalty Finance the Manager will contribute to the management and execution of financial support of the Global Cobrand Cards Program with the Marriott Bonvoy Loyalty Program, ensuring the Loyalty Program’s ongoing financial health and stability and enabling the achievement of the Loyalty Programs’ financial goals and objectives.  He / She will partner with the FBP-Loyalty leadership team, Loyalty business leaders, MI General Accounting (“MIGA”) Planning and Reporting, Global Technology, Financial Reporting & Analysis, Legal, Financial Contract Compliance, as well as Loyalty Accounting in the execution of financial and operational business strategies and plans to support the ongoing fiscal needs and responsibilities of the Loyalty Program.

This role will partner closely with the Sr. Director, Cobrand Cards and Emerging Businesses on the Global Cards & Enterprise Partnership strategic planning of expenses and reporting of Loyalty expenses which include: Marketing Program including restricted marketing funds and promotional points, Global Card Initiative tracking, and Global Cards base organization expenses.  With oversight from the Sr. Director, he/she will partner with Global Card budget owners at headquarters and international leaders to report actuals, record accruals, forecast, and budgets. Consolidate Global Cards and Enterprise Partnerships expenses and participate in quarterly business reviews.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Education and Experience 

Required

• 5 + years of experience in finance and accounting processes in a global organization. 
• Baccalaureate degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline. 
• Experience managing business initiatives and associated change and managing the accounting for large scale technology projects in a complex, service-intensive, deadline-driven environment. 

Preferred

• CPA or MBA
• Lodging/hospitality industry experience.

CORE WORK ACTIVITIES 

• Prepare the annual Co-Brand Card marketing program budget and forecasts for the Loyalty Program and Marriott International. Liaison with the business to coordinate, validate and record the costs and funding of the Co-Brand Card and emerging business partnerships.
• Support the timely and effective execution of the enterprise-wide annual budget, forecast and long-range planning processes, partnering with Global Finance FBP team, discipline and projects staff, and MBS. 
• Develop and implement procedures to track and report on Loyalty points and awards issued through ongoing Co-Brand Card marketing and other promotional efforts. 
• Serve as a subject matter expert on financial matters related to the Cobrand Cards Program and emerging business partnerships, and their impact to the Loyalty Program. 
• Supporting loyalty program infrastructure and analyzing the financial implications of proposed Program changes. 
• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis as required by FBP-Loyalty leadership, or other key stakeholders in response to requests to evaluate leadership inquiries, proposed program enhancements, tax matters or other areas of concern.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with Business contacts to provide guidance and/or consultation in the development and implementation of strategies to improve financial and operational performance and owner transparency.
• Provide functional and detailed support to assist in various Enterprise- and/or Program-wide initiatives.
• Provide support, as needed, to include the timely and efficient execution of the annual audit processes that include SOX, standalone audits as well as the annual MI audit process.
• Prepare and provide support for ongoing reporting and forecasting processes including monthly and quarterly program GAAP and cash flow statements, program cost per point, forecast and budget, promotions reporting, reimbursed revenue reporting and other key internal and external stakeholder deliverables.
• Support in the preparation of the quarterly Cobrand Cards Revenue Recognition close processes in conjunction with the consolidated Loyalty Program financial close process.
• Support the management and execution of activities designed to monitor and measure the financial performance of the Cobrand Cards Program , the Loyalty Program, and its applicable programs and services. 
• Study and recommend financial tools upon which greater transparency and reliability into forecasting and reporting Marriott profit can be achieved. 
• Maintain effective program reporting, analysis and control processes for the Loyalty program and proactively identify and address program concerns. 
• Provide timely and accurate analyses of program financials to support accounting procedures and to respond to internal management, legal, owner, and audit inquiries. 
• Provide the necessary internal financial reporting and variance analysis to stakeholders for the Loyalty program including but not limited to data gathering and analysis related to program reimbursements, funding, and promotional costs. 
• Perform ad-hoc analyses for and/or provide information to and advise, as appropriate, the FPB-Loyalty team, Consumer Business partners and other Global Finance groups on the business environment and key operating issues within the discipline. 
• Prepare and/or present financial updates as required for Marriott financial reporting and planning processes. 
• Establish and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with program team and other key stakeholders to understand the business, ensure timely exchange of actionable financial information and customer satisfaction.