About this opportunity
ZS lists this Finance Specialist - Finance Business Partnership opportunity in chicago, Illinois. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
Responsibilities
Act as a trusted finance partner to senior business leaders, supporting account, practice, or portfolio level decision making with clear financial insights and perspectives.
Influence commercial outcomes by proactively identifying risks, opportunities, and trade-offs related to revenue, margin, investment, and resource allocation.
Directly support pricing, deal structuring, and commercial evaluations, ensuring alignment with firm financial objectives and risk thresholds.
Lead forecasting, budgeting, and scenario analysis processes to support short and long term business planning.
Monitor financial performance versus plan, identify variances, and provide clear explanations and recommendations to leadership.
Develop and deliver meaningful management reporting, including P&L analysis, margin drivers, and investment tracking.
Serve as a mentor and coach to junior Finance Business Partners and analysts, responsible for helping them develop their technical skills, business acumen, and confidence in stakeholder engagement.
Ensure strong financial hygiene across project and account level reporting, including forecast accuracy, committed spend visibility, and financial controls.
Partner with cross functional teams to support procurement, investment tracking, and compliance with finance processes.
Support month end, quarter end, and year end close activities, ensuring data integrity and timeliness.
Serve as a subject matter expert within Finance Business Partnering, supporting best practices, training, and knowledge sharing.
Actively contribute to continuous improvement of finance tools, processes, and reporting standards.
Act as a role model for effective business partnership, professionalism, and financial rigor, helping raise the overall maturity and effectiveness of the team.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field; MBA/CPA, other designations a plus, but not required.
5-7 years of progressive experience in commercial finance, corporate finance, financial planning & analysis (FP&A), consulting, or similar finance business partnering role.
Strong financial acumen, including P&L management, forecasting, variance analysis, and commercial modeling.
Proven experience partnering with - and presenting to - senior stakeholders in order to influence decision making.
Advanced proficiency in Excel, Power BI, and PowerPoint and financial analysis skills; strong proficiency in financial systems and reporting tools.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial concepts into clear, business relevant insights and recommendations.
Sound judgment to constructively challenge stakeholders while also supporting business needs.
Highly motivated with a strong work ethic, ownership, and personal initiative.
Excellent organizational and task management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Key Attributes
Fluency in English.
Client-first mentality.
Intense work ethic.
Collaborative spirit and problem-solving approach.
How you’ll grow
Cross-functional skills development & custom learning pathways.
Milestone training programs aligned to career progression opportunities.
Internal mobility paths that empower growth via s‑curves, individual contribution and role expansions.
Perks & Benefits
At ZS, your growth matters. We offer a comprehensive total rewards package that supports your health and well‑being, financial future, time away, and professional development. With robust skills‑building programs, multiple career progression paths, internal mobility, and a deeply collaborative culture, you’ll have the opportunity to do meaningful work, expand your capabilities, and thrive as part of a global community.
Hybrid working model
We are committed to giving our employees a flexible and connected way of working. A flexible and connected ZS allows us to combine work from home and on‑site presence at clients/ZS offices for the majority of our week. The magic of ZS culture and innovation thrives in both planned and spontaneous face‑to‑face connections.
Travel
Travel is a requirement at ZS for client facing ZSers; business needs of your project and client are the priority. While some projects may be local, all client‑facing ZSers should be prepared to travel as needed. Travel provides opportunities to strengthen client relationships, gain diverse experiences, and enhance professional growth by working in different environments and cultures.
Equal Opportunity Employer
ZS is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment and advancement opportunities without regard to any class protected by applicable law.
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Worksite address
chicago, IL, 60290, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.