Financial Specialist

Roles and responsibilities

• Support the Partnerships Manager with the sourcing and implementation of new loyalty partnership agreements according to the Financial Partnerships strategy and process, ensuring that all internal Emirates and Skywards stakeholders involved with implementation of such programs are accurately briefed and project-delivery focused according to the Skywards Department PMO process.
• Actively participate in contracting including negotiations and contract renewals with new and existing financial partners and provide input to the development of loyalty partnership contracts.
• Work with partners and Emirates Finance teams to ensure that all contractual payments are received according to payment terms throughout the duration of the partnership agreements. Manage any billing discrepancies, security/fraud concerns and cases, and partner queries in collaboration with the Skywards Partnerships support teams.
• Review partner performance against set targets to extract opportunities to drive growth. This will include helping the Partnership Manager build an annual joint calendar of activities per partner and managing milestones. Monitor the monthly and annual budget for all existing partners, identifying tactical, product, operation, process, and system support enhancement opportunities to increase revenue and to address negative forecast gaps.
• Work with Partnerships Activations team to manage tactical marketing/communications needs for partnerships within the assigned portfolio. This includes working with the partner to develop partnership promotions and providing relevant input for partner channel communications, newsletters, email, and app communications, emirates.com banner placements, and research surveys.
• Manage partnerships at an operational level to ensure the smooth running of all partner agreements. This will include following up on all service failures, contract SLAs, accounting and reconciliation issues, fraudulent activities, problem-solving and liaising with relevant departments within Emirates and within the partner organization to swiftly resolve all operational and customer service problems which relate to the partners.
• Work with Skywards Data Analytics team to provide accurate and regular reporting on Partner performance and campaign success for business updates to Partnerships team and Skywards Senior Leadership Team.
• Support in the design, development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance with Emirates Skywards standards, and align with organizational goals. Involving cross-functional teams to ensure all stakeholders are informed and adhering to established protocols, while also monitoring and updating SOPs to adapt to evolving operational needs and risks.
  

Qualifications & Experience

This job might be for you if you have:

• Graduate Degree (12+3 or equivalent)
• 3+ years’ experience in Commercial/Sales specialising in partnerships or account management, preferably managing financial institutions.
• Experience in loyalty, marketing, systems and operations management will be considered.
  

You'll Have An Edge If You Possess

• Outstanding attention to detail and structured thinking, pertaining to operations, processes, and systems management.
• Demonstrated proficiency in analytical and numerical skills.
• Highly developed stakeholder management and interpersonal skills including empathy and communication.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven ability to persuade and influence decisions.
• Good grasp of financial industry and intellectual curiosity.
• Knowledge of marketing for above and below the line practices (incl. digital marketing).
• Track record of driving results through cross-functional collaboration.

Desired candidate profile

As a Financial Specialist, several key skills and qualifications are essential for success in the role. Here are some important ones:

1. Financial Analysis: Proficiency in analyzing financial data, trends, and metrics to provide insights and recommendations for decision-making.

2. Budgeting and Forecasting: Experience in developing, managing, and monitoring budgets and financial forecasts to guide organizational planning.

3. Accounting Knowledge: Strong understanding of accounting principles and practices, including GAAP or IFRS, to ensure accurate financial reporting.

4. Data Management: Skills in managing and organizing large sets of financial data, often using software like Excel or specialized financial tools.

5. Regulatory Compliance: Familiarity with financial regulations and compliance standards relevant to the industry.

6. Communication Skills: Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively present financial information to stakeholders and collaborate with teams.

7. Attention to Detail: Strong focus on accuracy to ensure financial reports and analyses are precise and reliable.

8. Problem-Solving: Ability to identify financial issues and develop effective solutions to enhance financial performance.

9. Technical Proficiency: Competence in using financial software and tools, including ERP systems, to streamline processes and reporting.

10. Project Management: Skills in managing financial projects, from planning to execution, ensuring they align with organizational goals.

These skills are crucial for effectively managing financial operations and supporting strategic financial decision-making within an organization.