SR. Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis in Vernon Hills, Illinois at Europa Eyewear
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Job Description
Role Description
The Sr. Manager, Financial Planning and Analysis serves as a strategic business partner who bridges the gap between financial performance and reporting and long-term operational success.
This position coordinates our monthly reporting package preparation with the accounting team and senior management for presentation to the board of directors. Additionally, this role focuses on driving our planning cycles, cash forecasting, improving systems, and translating data into actionable insights for executive leadership. This role supports three companies operating in two different ERP systems and requires someone who enjoys learning modern technology, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and takes ownership of their work.
Success in this role comes from attention to detail, curiosity, and the ability to recognize and communicate issues.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and lead the business’s planning, forecasting, and performance management cycles, ensuring timely, accurate, and insightful financial outlooks that support strategic and operational decision‑making through variance analysis, scenario modeling, and risk/opportunity assessment.
- Lead the end-to-end financial planning cycle—including annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and ongoing performance monitoring—ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and proactively identifying
gaps, drivers, and corrective actions.
- Prepare and present clear, compelling financial reporting and executive‑level presentations for senior leadership and ownership, translating complex financial results into actionable insights and recommendations.
- Provide ad hoc and special‑project financial support to enable informed decision‑making across the organization.
- Drive continuous improvement of processes, tools, and reporting, enhancing efficiency, accuracy, transparency, and scalability.
- Build and maintain trusted finance partnerships with senior business leaders, serving as a strategic advisor who influences key decisions and connects financial insights to business outcomes.
- Contribute to the team effort by accomplishing related results and participating on projects as needed.
Process & Systems
- Prepare the monthly reporting package for senior management and board of directors (BOD).
- Prepare/coordinate and report cash forecasts.
- Identify process inefficiencies and recommend improvements.
- Escalate unusual transactions, discrepancies, or recurring issues.
- Maintain organized electronic documentation and audit-ready records.
Competencies Needed for Success
Attention to Detail: Produces accurate work while maintaining a high level of quality in a fast-paced environment.
Technology Aptitude: Learns new software quickly and is comfortable working across multiple systems.
Ownership: Works independently, manages priorities, and follows tasks through to completion with minimal supervision.
Communication: Communicates professionally with senior management, board of directors, debt holders, and internal stakeholders while maintaining positive working relationships.
Adaptability: Adjusts comfortably as priorities shift, and willingly assists with responsibilities of ad hoc requests.
Continuous Learning: Shows curiosity, accepts feedback, and actively seeks opportunities to improve knowledge and processes.
Organization & Time Management: Balances recurring deadlines while maintaining accuracy and responsiveness.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field.
- Minimum 5-7 years of experience.
- Strong computer proficiency including Microsoft Office products.
- Excellent organizational skills
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage confidential financial information
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks while meeting deadlines
What we’re looking for
We are more interested in finding someone with the right mindset than someone with years of accounting experience. The ideal candidate is someone who:
- Enjoys working with technology and learning new systems (exploring implementation of new ERP system.
- Notices when something doesn't look right and isn't afraid to ask questions.
- Can work independently while knowing when to escalate issues.
- Takes pride in accuracy and organization.
- Is dependable, adaptable, and willing to help wherever needed.
Position Details
- Full-time onsite position based at our Vernon Hills, IL Headquarters, with potential to WFH one day per week.
Pay Transparency
The salary range for this position is $140,000– $165,000 USD annually, plus 15-20% bonus target. This salary range is Europa Eyewear’s good faith estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on a number of factors including, but not limited to, Europa Eyewear’s business or organizational needs and an individual’s relevant experience, education, qualifications, certifications, skills, seniority, geographic location, and/or performance. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus. The range listed is just one component of Europa Eyewear’s total compensation package for employees. Other rewards may include annual bonuses, paid time off, and region-specific benefits.
EEO Statement
Europa Eyewear is committed to developing a barrier-free recruitment process and work environment. If you require any accommodation, please contact HR at 800-621-4108 and we’ll work with you to meet your accessibility needs. You must have legal authorization to work for Europa Eyewear on your date of hire with no further action required by Europa Eyewear. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and give consideration to qualified applicants without regard to race, color, age, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information.
About the Europa Eyewear Platform
The Europa eyewear platform is committed to empowering independent-thinking eyecare professionals with unique, high-quality, independent eyewear brands and partner-first support. We are equally committed to empowering our own team, ensuring they have the support, freedom, and opportunities to grow. Through collaborative partnerships, we help our customers grow and succeed, fostering a community of shared vision.
Europa Eyewear, based in Vernon Hills, IL, is one of the largest independent designers and manufacturers of eyewear frames in the United States. Europa offers a diverse portfolio of 10 independent eyewear brands, including STATE Optical Co. and American Optical (AO Eyewear), which the company acquired in 2019. Europa also built and maintains the largest eyewear manufacturing facility in the United States.
In 2023, Europa partnered with Blue Point Capital Partners, a Cleveland-based mid-market Private Equity firm, to build an industry leading eyewear platform. In April of the same year, eyebobs, the Premium Reading Glass brand, was acquired adding new ecommerce capabilities, necessary to serve the omnichannel marketplace.