Sr. Director, Finance Operations

We are seeking an experienced and transformation-driven Sr. Director, Order-to-Cash to lead and optimize the Order-to-Cash (OTC) function for Macmillan’s U.S. Trade business.

Reporting to the SVP, Finance Operations, this role is accountable for establishing best-in-class processes, implementing technology-driven improvements, and ensuring compliance, efficiency, and strong cash performance. The Director will be a key strategic leader within Finance Operations, responsible for defining the function’s roadmap and leading continuous improvement across Accounts Receivable, and Credit & Collections activities.

This is a high-impact opportunity for a finance professional with deep transformation experience, a passion for process excellence, and a proven ability to partner across functions in a dynamic publishing environment.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Leadership and Ownership
  • Serve as the single-point process owner for Accounts Receivable, and Credit & Collections across Macmillan’s U.S. Trade organization.
  • Develop and implement a strategic roadmap for the Accounts Receivable and Credit & Collections process that aligns with Finance Operations goals and business growth objectives.
  • Partner with stakeholders in Finance, Accounting, Customer Service, Operations, Sales, and Technology to standardize processes, policies, and controls.
  • Drive process governance, ensuring efficiency, accountability, and alignment across functions.
• Transformation and System Optimization
  • Lead finance transformation initiatives focused on standardization, automation, system integration, and improved data visibility.
  • Collaborate with IT and business teams to design and deploy enhancements or new OTC solutions.
  • Establish comprehensive process documentation, policies, and internal controls.
  • Identify opportunities for automation and digitization to enhance the customer and user experience.
• Performance and Continuous Improvement
  • Define and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) such as Days Sales Outstanding (DSO) and collection performance.
  • Leverage analytics and data insights to monitor trends, identify bottlenecks, and drive targeted improvements.
  • Promote a continuous improvement culture, embedding best practices and supporting change management across the team.
• Leadership and Collaboration
  • Lead and mentor AR, and Credit & Collections teams or partners, fostering collaboration, accountability, and innovation.
  • Build strong relationships with operations, business leaders, external customers, and vendors to optimize collections and customer satisfaction.
  • Partner closely with other Finance Operations leaders to align organizational structure and process maturity goals.
• Risk Management and Compliance
  • Oversee credit risk and ensure balance between revenue enablement and risk mitigation.
  • Ensure OTC activities comply with company policies, accounting standards, and internal controls.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven ability to lead finance transformation initiatives and drive process improvement across functions.
• Deep understanding of Order-to-Cash processes including credit, collections, and accounts receivable.
• Strong strategic thinking and data-driven decision-making skills.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management abilities, with experience influencing across senior leadership levels.
• Strong analytical mindset, capable of translating data into actionable insights.
• Expertise in internal controls, compliance, and process governance.

Ideal Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or Business required; MBA or Master’s degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in finance operations, credit & collections, or shared services.
• Demonstrated experience implementing or optimizing financial systems/tools
• Experience managing distributed teams in a complex organization.
• Background in publishing, media, or consumer products industries desirable.

This role will have an annual salary of $165k to $175k.

Macmillan Publishers is the U.S. trade company that is part of the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group, a large family-owned group of media companies headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany. Holtzbrinck Publishing Group's publishing companies include prominent imprints around the world that publish a broad range of award-winning books for children and adults in all categories and formats.

U.S. publishers include Celadon Books, Farrar, Straus and Giroux, Flatiron Books, Henry Holt & Company, Macmillan Audio, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, The St. Martin's Publishing Group, and Tor Publishing Group. In the UK, Australia, India, and South Africa, companies in the Holtzbrinck Publishing Group publish under the Pan Macmillan name. The German publishing company, Holtzbrinck Deutsche Buchverlage, includes among its imprints S. Fischer, Kiepenheuer & Witsch, Rowohlt, and Droemer Knaur.

Macmillan is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, consistently striving to foster a culture where everyone belongs. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds and identities. Qualified applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability status, physical ability, neurodiversity, genetic information, protected veteran status, family and economic status, and background or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law. We prohibit discrimination of any kind and will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable law.