Business Analyst

Do you have a servant's heart and desire to put your talents to work in a ministry environment? Do you have strong attention to detail and a passion for finance and analytics? If so, this may be the role for you!

Lifeway's Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Team is seeking an experienced Business Analyst. In this position, you'll provide financial analysis and informed insight to assigned ministry areas. You'll work alongside ministry leaders to help advance Lifeway’s mission by providing leadership and expertise in the areas of: budget development; pro forma development; periodic and ad hoc financial analysis and reporting of results; quarterly forecasting; inventory management; and long-term planning.

Why Lifeway?

Lifeway is a place where you can bring your faith and work experience to join in the most important mission in the world: making disciples of Jesus Christ. Whether you’re a creator or storyteller, data guru or problem-solver, or anywhere in between, if you’re passionate about serving the church, we have a place for you. Lifeway has a strong Work from Anywhere (WFA) culture that is deeply focused on our mission and values. While headquartered in Nashville, TN, many of our positions are remote-eligible and have autonomy and flexibility with work hours. We provide equipment and resources to ensure team members have access to a productive and ergonomic workspace. We believe building relationships and community is essential to how we work together, so Lifeway hosts all-team meetings several times per year and provides travel for key team gatherings for remote-based team members. Full-time employees are eligible for enrollment in our comprehensive benefits plans including healthcare, vacation and sick time, holiday pay, care days, 401(k) plan, maternity and paternity leave, adoption assistance, mission trip time, and more. If this sounds like a place where you would be excited to serve the kingdom of God, we would love for you to join our team.

This is a remote position in the U.S. with occasional travel to Nashville for in-person team gatherings.

Responsibilities

Learn more about our culture at team.lifeway.com/culture-code

As a Financial Analyst you will:

• Develop, analyze, and present financial reports designed to aid leaders and staff in understanding operating performance, including monthly financial report out, monthly expense forecast, and financial and operational dashboards. Proactively perform analysis and financial communications as needed and requested by the organization.
• In collaboration with ministry area leaders, develop annual financial plans for the assigned ministry areas including: annual budget development, long term strategic planning, pipeline product and/or event development, and quarterly forecasts.Develop and produce product/event proformas and requested financials for business plans to aid in the evaluation of new opportunities within the assigned ministry areas.
• Working collaboratively with FP&A analysts and business owners, produce financial analysis on strategic initiatives that provide healthy insight including fully loaded contribution, cash flow, NPV, ROI, breakeven, etc.
• Regularly track and report out performance of initiatives compared to original expectations, providing recommendations to keep initiatives on track.
• Participate in Financial Planning & Analysis Team led special projects

Qualifications

• Live out Lifeway’s mission and values , showing deep commitment to Kingdom work.
• Bachelors in Accounting, Business Management, Finance, or similar
  • Related work experience may be considered to fulfill education requirement
  • Pursuing or completed MBA, CPA, or CMA, preferred
• 3 years experience financial support and leadership in areas of budgeting, operational analysis, and planning.
• 2 years experience working with large data sets and the ability to extract, summarize, and report results efficiently
• 2 years experience in cost accounting focusing on contribution analysis and ROI metrics
• Detailed oriented and able to work through large amounts of data
• Objective mindset that is data driven, focused on facts
• Advanced use of Microsoft tools, expert level in Excel (i.e. pivot tables, XLookup, query tools, etc.)
• Strong data mining skill set using modern Business Intelligence tools (i.e., PowerBI, MicroStrategy, Business Objects, etc.)
• Healthy financial acumen including proforma development, GAAP standards, accounting principles, financial metrics, etc.
• Effective communication style and able to adapt to the audience, easy to understand and provide necessary insight.
• Capable of being operational and strategic at the same time, keeping the macro view in mind while mining details
• Demonstrated ability to protect and utilize sensitive information responsibly
• Strong problem solving, analytical and time management skills. Ability to dig through complexity, finding the truth the data presents
• Actively attend an evangelical Christian church and serve/participate in church events or ministries