Finance Manager, NJ Airports Financial Planning

Description

About the Role

The New Jersey airports, including Newark Liberty International Airport ("EWR") and Teterboro Airport ("TEB") are vital to the region's economic infrastructure. Together, they manage an annual operating expense budget of over $350 million and generate more than $1.5 billion in annual revenues. These airports contribute approximately 20% of the Port Authority's total revenues through diverse streams, including airline cost recoveries, rental fees, public parking, and more.

Under the direction of the Sr. Manager of Aviation Finance, the Finance Manager will be responsible for directing and monitoring financial activities for EWR and TEB Airports, as well as providing a range of financial services to Aviation, Comptroller's, and other Port Authority staff. Among other responsibilities, the Finance Manager will:

• Operating Expense Budget: Lead the preparation and consolidation of EWR and TEB's annual operating expense budgets and oversee the development of monthly operating statements, including revenue and expense estimates.

• Cost Monitoring and Estimating Airport Integrated Recovery ("AIR") Fees: Develop, monitor, and manage multiple airline and tenant billing processes, which includes Terminal B Rates and Charges, Flight Fees, Fuel Gallonage Fees, Central Heating & Refrigeration Plant ("CH&RP") Fees, and Federal Aviation Regulations ("FAR") Security Fees. Oversee cost recovery estimates, fee calculations, and capital investment recovery through the settlement forecast process. Assist the Comptroller's Department in flight fee calculations by providing relevant data and ensuring accuracy and reasonableness.

• Financial Representation for the Airport: Serve as the lead financial representative for the airport and Aviation Department staff, developing and implementing strategies to achieve financial objectives. Effectively communicate financial information to airline representatives, tenants, and staff, ensuring clarity and timeliness for the bi-annual airline meetings. Advise the airport General Manager and unit managers on financial decisions, integrating both financial and operational considerations.

• Financial Analysis and Forecasting: Prepare financial analyses for proposed projects, lease agreements, contracts, and financing arrangements to support Board Agenda Items, Memorandums of Justification, Memorandums of Authorization, and lease negotiations. Contribute to the preparation of the Long-Range Expense ("LRF") forecast. Oversee the monthly performance for both, revenues and expenses by preparing variance explanations and performance measurement reports, providing insights to the Aviation Finance and airport staff, in addition to other staff departments, including the Management and Budget ("MBD") team.

• Team Leadership: Manage and develop staff, ensuring responsiveness to financial and airport requirements. Provide guidance, supervision, and opportunities for professional growth.

• Airport Utility Management: Manage cost allocations for electricity, water, and fuel. Oversee the preparation of the Accrued Liabilities Report for water billings, and resolve any utility billing discrepancies in coordination with various stakeholders.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in a financial discipline or related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting, finance, budgeting, or business where you have:
  • Knowledge of business and financial transactions and experience with budget and variance analysis.
  • Knowledge of accounting, budget and financial policies and procedures.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Minimum of two (2) years of people management, career development and overall supervisory experience.
• Superior skills in MS Office products and advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel, including strong demonstrated experience utilizing advanced functions.
• Experience with Microsoft Excel where you have audited large volumes of data for auditing purposes including strong experience utilizing formulas to help create a picture of findings.
• Experience presenting financial information to all level staff, including executive internal and external leadership.
• Experience retrieving and interpreting information from financial systems such as SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle SmartView/EssBase, ICMS or others.

• Experience developing and monitoring flight fees for various airlines.
• Working knowledge of Port Authority policies and procedures and/or Port Authority.
• Experience with accounting and financial structures in a government agency setting.
• Familiarity with advanced analytical tools and programs included visualization tools like PowerBi.
• Self-starter with the ability to assume a leadership role and make decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, establish plans and setting priorities,
• Experience adapting to the demands of multiple diverse situations, operating effectively in the face of uncertainty and change, and aligning professional goals with the needs and priorities of the organization.
• Proven ability to identify problems, assess the accuracy and relevance of information to generate and evaluate alternatives, develop consensus, and make recommendations.