Lead Functional Programmer

Heidrick & Struggles - Chicago, IL

Full-time

Chicago, IL

Administrative and Support Services

About the position

The Lead Functional Programmer at Heidrick & Struggles is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining financial software applications, leveraging advanced programming skills and a deep understanding of financial processes. This role collaborates with finance teams to ensure system integrity, optimize performance, and align with industry regulations, playing a crucial part in the smooth operation of financial systems and improving processes to meet business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Design, develop, test, and maintain financial applications and modules to meet business needs.
• Write, modify, and debug complex code using appropriate programming languages.
• Maintain and enhance existing financial systems to improve performance, usability, and functionality.
• Analyze business and financial system requirements to develop technical solutions.
• Work closely with finance teams to gather requirements, assess needs, and recommend system enhancements.
• Design system architectures and workflows that improve financial processes, including accounting, budgeting, and reporting functions.
• Ensure proper integration of financial systems with other enterprise applications.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement and test system integrations.
• Provide technical support and troubleshoot issues related to financial systems, ensuring data integrity and consistency across platforms.
• Lead or contribute to financial system projects, including upgrades, migrations, and new implementations.
• Manage timelines, resources, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Provide regular updates and reporting on project progress to stakeholders and leadership.
• Work closely with financial stakeholders to ensure alignment between technical solutions and business objectives.
• Provide technical guidance and support to junior developers and analysts.
• Act as a liaison between IT and financial teams, ensuring clear communication and understanding of technical challenges and business requirements.
• Ensure that financial systems adhere to industry regulations (e.g., SOX, SOC, GAAP) and internal policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science or Accounting/Finance.
• Minimum of five years of application team management experience, including at least three years in a Financial Systems team role.
• Minimum of five years PeopleSoft Financials functional experience, including at least three of the following modules: AR, Billing, AP, Cash Management, Contacts, Projects, GL.
• Project management/leadership experience for at least three major projects (e.g. implementations, upgrades) in the financial systems domain.
• Track record of results of solving problems proactively and autonomously.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Finance department leadership to improve financial systems technology productivity, data quality and reporting accuracy.
• Demonstrated customer facing presentation & communication skills.
• Proven experience guiding teams of professionals, including contractors, and mentoring for professional development.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Nice-to-haves

• Proficiency in systems analysis, design, and documentation.
• ERP systems knowledge (PeopleSoft, Oracle), significant knowledge/experience with major SaaS technologies including Workday, Salesforce and Concur.
• Some experience with Professional Services Automation solutions.
• Substantial knowledge/experience with multiple integration technologies.
• Hands-on fluency in Microsoft Office Suite including Project, PowerPoint, and Visio.
• Demonstrated ability to learn the intricacies of business and communicate in business terms.
• Demonstrates initiative, resourcefulness, creativity and dependability.
• Demonstrates ability to take independent action and proceed beyond directive.