Manager, Financial Planning & Analysis

Own the annual budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis process for operational departments while translating financial data into actionable strategies that fuel Appian's growth in AI-Powered Process Automation.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The FP&A team serves as the strategic financial partner to Appian's operational business units, driving financial discipline and enabling data-driven decision-making across the organization. You will work closely with cross-functional leaders to ensure resource allocation aligns with corporate objectives as Appian scales its Enterprise-Grade Orchestration platform. This team plays a critical role in shaping investment priorities and ensuring sustainable growth in a dynamic, high-growth SaaS environment.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Appian is at an inflection point as we accelerate our AI-Powered Process Automation offerings and expand market share in enterprise digital transformation. This role exists to bring rigor and insight to operational planning, ensuring every dollar invested drives measurable business impact. You will have direct influence on strategic initiatives, working alongside executive leadership to optimize performance and scale operations intelligently.

This role is based at our headquarters in McLean, Virginia. Appian was built on a culture of in-person collaboration, which we believe is a key driver of our mission to be the best. Employees hired for this position are expected to be in the office 5 days a week to foster that culture and ensure we continue to thrive through shared ideas and teamwork. We believe being in the office provides more opportunities to come together and celebrate working with the exceptional people across Appian.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles for operational departments, ensuring accuracy, accountability, and alignment with corporate growth targets.
• Execute comprehensive variance analysis and deliver actionable insights to business leaders, identifying cost drivers, performance trends, and opportunities for operational efficiency.
• Partner with department heads to develop headcount planning models, operating expense forecasts, and ROI analyses for innovation initiatives and strategic investments.
• Architect financial models that support scenario planning and strategic decision-making, enabling leadership to evaluate trade-offs and optimize resource allocation.
• Drive financial discipline across operational teams by establishing KPIs, tracking performance metrics, and translating complex financial data into clear business narratives.
• Collaborate with senior finance leadership to refine FP&A methodologies and implement best practices that scale with the organization.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Hold a Bachelor's degree (or higher) in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in financial planning and analysis, corporate finance, or a related finance function with demonstrated progression in responsibility.
• Financial Modeling: Advanced proficiency in Excel for financial modeling, including complex forecasting models, scenario analysis, and data manipulation.
• FP&A Expertise: Deep knowledge of FP&A methodologies including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial reporting processes.
• Analytical Capability: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to synthesize large datasets into strategic recommendations.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Advanced Degree: MBA or Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related quantitative discipline.
• SaaS Industry: Prior experience in the SaaS industry or technology sector with exposure to subscription revenue models and unit economics.
• Public Company: Experience working at high-growth publicly listed companies with exposure to SEC reporting and investor relations processes.
• Planning Tools: Proficiency in Anaplan for advanced financial modeling, scenario planning, and enterprise performance management.
• Data Visualization: Experience with Power BI or Tableau to create executive dashboards and communicate financial insights visually.
• We value experience with enterprise platforms as these skills translate well into our Enterprise-Grade Orchestration environment.