Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

Overview

Barnes & Noble Education (BNED) is dedicated to advancing education by making tomorrow more accessible, inclusive, and smarter. As a leading solutions provider to hundreds of academic institutions nationwide, we focus on affordability, accessibility, and achievement to help millions of students succeed in the classroom and beyond. We are seeking a Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) to join our high-performing team in Florham Park, NJ 07932. In this pivotal role, the Director will lead enterprise-wide financial planning and analysis, delivering actionable insights that drive business performance, inform key strategic decisions, and support growth initiatives. The role requires close partnership with business unit leaders and senior executives to optimize profitability, guide resource allocation, and ensure alignment between corporate objectives and operational execution. The Director will own enterprise-level financial planning, reporting, and modeling, while championing accountability, collaboration, and data-driven decision making across the organization.

What You'll Do

• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Lead enterprise-wide financial reporting, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and timely delivery. Analyze corporate and business unit performance, including revenue, margin, profitability, and key operational metrics. Develop dashboards, scorecards, and KPIs to provide actionable insights for executive decision-making.
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Planning: Drive annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long-range planning across the organization. Conduct scenario analysis and financial modeling to support operational, capital, and strategic initiatives. Partner with business leaders on investment decisions, cost optimization, and growth strategies.
• Decision Support & Strategic Initiatives: Provide financial insights and recommendations to influence executive-level decisions. Support mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, and other corporate initiatives with modeling, analysis, and due diligence. Evaluate business cases for capital projects, strategic investments, and enterprise-wide initiatives.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with business units, operations, marketing, HR, IT, supply chain, and strategy teams to drive alignment and process improvements. Serve as a trusted advisor to the C-suite and business leaders, translating financial insights into actionable recommendations.
• Process Improvement & Systems Management: Identify and implement improvements to financial reporting, forecasting, and planning processes to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness. Maintain and optimize enterprise financial systems and analytics tools to ensure reliable and accessible data.
• Team Leadership & Talent Development: Manage, mentor, and develop direct reports, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and high-quality analysis. Build and scale FP&A capabilities to support enterprise-wide strategic and operational initiatives.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

What You'll Need to Succeed

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; Master’s preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive FP&A, corporate finance, or business finance experience with exposure to enterprise-level financial management.
• Proven track record of providing strategic financial insights, driving performance improvements, and influencing senior leadership.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to synthesize complex financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional communication, collaboration, and presentation skills.
• Experience managing and developing a high-performing finance team.
• Demonstrated expertise in financial modeling, scenario analysis, and enterprise planning tools.
• Advanced financial modeling, scenario planning, and predictive analytics skills.
• Proven ability to influence senior leadership and partner cross-functionally on strategic initiatives.
• Experience supporting capital planning, investment evaluation, and cost optimization decisions.

Benefits and Compensation

The hiring range for this position is $140,000 - $150,000 per year. This range represents the base salary only, in good faith at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be determined based on factors such as relevant experience, skills, and qualifications. This position is bonus-eligible, with bonus amounts determined at the company’s discretion based on individual qualifications and applicable program terms.

BNED offers a comprehensive total rewards package for full-time employees designed to support the physical, mental, and financial well-being of our staff. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision plans, a 401(k) match, life insurance, commuter benefits, paid time off with paid holidays, and a broad range of other benefits.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

At Barnes & Noble Education we empower everyone. Our mission is to support students, faculty and schools, serving as a catalyst to meet the evolving needs of the education system and a new generation of students. That starts with fostering an environment for our employees where diversity and individuality is celebrated. Barnes & Noble Education is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to diversity in the workplace. In the spirit of inclusivity, qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, ability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, nationality, protected veteran status, race, religion or sexual orientation.