Accounting Data & Technology Manager

GAQ327R291 Accounting Data & Technology Manager About the Role We are building a finance function that stays ahead of the curve — leveraging AI, automation, and modern tooling to operate at the pace Databricks demands. We are seeking an Accounting Data & Technology Manager to join our Global Accounting team and serve as the architect of the redesign of our accounting processes by building automation solutions and managing data pipelines that power our global accounting organization. You will serve as the accounting team's S/4HANA expert — the person who ensures our in-flight SAP implementation reflects best practice rather than a lift-and-shift of how we operate in NetSuite today. You will be responsible for bridging the gap between our team's subject matter experts, our technology solutions, and the business data needed to support accounting operations. In addition to SAP ownership, this role will build purposeful, reliable solutions on top of the Databricks platform and Finance Datalake to accelerate global accounting operations. During the SAP implementation, you will work alongside our system integrator to challenge design decisions, identify where SAP's native capabilities can replace manual workarounds, and ensure the accounting team is building on the right foundation from day one. Post go-live, the role transitions to continuous improvement — owning automation opportunities, streamlining close processes as SAP capabilities evolve, and ensuring Databricks is getting progressively more value out of the platform over time rather than running it as a static system. This is a rare opportunity to shape a major ERP platform from day one at one of the world's fastest-growing technology companies, with the autonomy to define how SAP works for accounting at Databricks — and how it connects to the most advanced data and AI platform in the market. What You'll Do SAP Implementation Governance (Near-Term) • Work alongside our system integrator as the accounting team's internal SAP S/4HANA subject matter expert throughout the implementation program. • Challenge design decisions and configuration choices — ensuring they reflect SAP best practice rather than replicating current-state NetSuite processes. • Identify where SAP's native capabilities (standard workflows, automated postings, embedded analytics, Fiori apps) can replace manual workarounds and custom development. • Own the accounting team's requirements, testing, and sign-off for SAP configuration across core FICO areas — general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and close management. • Partner with our system integrator, IT and Finance Transformation to ensure data migration, chart of accounts design, and master data governance meet accounting's needs. Continuous Improvement & Optimization (Post Go-Live) • Own the SAP continuous improvement roadmap for accounting — identifying automation opportunities, process simplifications, and new SAP capabilities as they are released. • Streamline close processes within SAP — driving adoption of native automation, reducing cycle time, eliminating manual steps, and improving data quality with each close cycle. • Monitor system performance and proactively address configuration issues, data quality gaps, and process bottlenecks. • Collaborate with Tax, Treasury, FP&A, Accounts Payable, Revenue, and Procurement to ensure SAP configuration supports end-to-end finance processes — not just accounting in isolation. • Ensure SOX-relevant system controls (automated, access and change management controls) within SAP are properly configured, documented, and operating effectively. SAP × Databricks Platform Integration • Own the design and governance of how SAP accounting data flows into the Databricks Data Intelligence Platform — ensuring clean, timely, and well-structured data for financial reporting, analytics, and AI use cases. • Partner with Data Engineering and Finance Systems to define the SAP-to-Databricks integration architecture — including extraction patterns, data models, and refresh cadences that support close timelines and ad-hoc analysis. • Identify opportunities to leverage Databricks' AI and automation capabilities on top of SAP data — such as anomaly detection on journal entries, predictive accruals, automated reconciliation matching, and natural-language reporting via Genie. • Serve as the accounting team's voice in shaping how Databricks' own platform is used for internal finance operations — ensuring the company is a best-practice reference customer for its own technology. What We're Looking For Required Qualifications • 8+ years of progressive experience in accounting systems, ERP administration, or finance technology — with deep, hands-on SAP S/4HANA FICO experience. • Demonstrated expertise in SAP S/4HANA configuration across core accounting areas: general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, fixed assets, and financial close and consolidation. • Experience participating in or leading at least one full-cycle SAP S/4HANA implementation — ideally on the business/functional side rather than purely technical. • Strong understanding of accounting close processes, U.S. GAAP, and how ERP configuration decisions impact financial reporting. • Experience with SAP master data governance, chart of accounts design, and configuration documentation. • SOX experience — understanding how system controls, access management, and segregation of duties operate within SAP. • Ability to translate between accounting business requirements and SAP technical configuration — comfortable working with both accountants and technical consultants. • Strong communication skills — able to articulate system design trade-offs to senior finance leadership clearly and concisely. • High ownership, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently without constant direction. Preferred Qualifications • SAP S/4HANA certification (e.g., SAP Certifi