Director Finance

We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come… for our customers, our communities, and our planet.

Acuity Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. We use technology to solve problems in spaces, light, and more things to come. Through our two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), we design, manufacture, and bring to market products and services that make a valuable difference in people’s lives.

We are positioned at the intersection of sustainability and technology. Our businesses develop technology that helps save our customers energy and reduce their carbon emissions. We achieve growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including lighting, lighting controls, building management solutions, and location-aware applications.

Job Summary

We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic, results-oriented finance leader to lead the financial planning, analysis, and performance management activities for our Acuity Intelligent Spaces segment with a focus on our Distech Controls business unit.

This experienced finance professional will be part of Acuity’s Finance Leadership and will serve as a key partner to the Distech executive team, responsible for analysis, reporting, planning and closing processes. He/she will also provide day-to-day support for the Distech team.

Responsibilities Include

• Leading development of the annual operating plan and 3-year strategy, providing financial insights to guide executive decision-making;
• Partnering with the business in evaluating investment opportunities and capital allocation decisions aligned to business growth priorities;
• Monitoring business trends and performance drivers to support proactive decision-making,
• Driving continuous improvement in forecasting, reporting, and planning processes to enhance financial visibility and operational efficiency.
  
  

This role will operate in a highly collaborative and matrixed environment and is expected to influence cross-functional teams and segment-level decisions

This is an onsite position within our Brossard office.

Key Tasks & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

• Analyze, understand, and identify top-line growth drivers and margin expansion; develop and drive associated action plans for business. Prepare and review key performance indicators and assist with root cause and countermeasure process. 25%
• Develop and present scenario modeling to understand gaps to Target/3-year strategy planning. Develop financial models to assist with planning, forecasting, and investment analysis. 25%
• Provide business insights and guidance to the annual planning process for Sales, Cost of Sales, Operating Expenses, and Capital investments. Ensure alignment with strategic and financial objectives. 25%
• Drive the monthly Operating Expense and Capital roll-forward forecast processes to create insightful variance analysis proactively with timely, actionable insights. 5%
• Drive the connection with matrix Finance teams to understand related results. Develop monthly analysis of performance and present financial results to AIS (Distech) Leadership. Participate in quarterly prioritization meetings to ensure that strategic initiatives achieve growth targets. Support development of Finance team members through coaching, feedback, and knowledge sharing. 20%
  
  

Skills And Minimum Experience Required

• 8 to 10 years in finance, with increasing scope of responsibility in a matrixed or global environment
• Bachelor’s Degree or Equivalent in (Business Administration, Finance, Accounting, Etc)
• CPA (or equivalent) designation
• Bilingual French and English: To serve clients and external service providers across Canada and USA
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong partnership with business leaders. Ability to elevate the Finance function to “strategic business partner”. Ability to lead and drive (directly or indirectly) to achieve results
• Ability to work with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Sales, Operations, etc.
• Able to structure and process qualitative or quantitative data and draw insightful conclusions
• Provides practical, insight-driven solutions; facilitates strategic discussions to address root causes and mitigate issues
• Ability to communicate clearly across multiple channels of communication (verbal, email, PowerPoint presentations). Ability to present data in an understandable way to a non-finance audience (Leadership Team)
• Ability to multi-task and work effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Advanced Technical Skills (Excel, PPT, PowerBI, Syteline/ OneStream or other ERP experience)
• Strong understanding of US GAAP
  
  

Preferred Skills And Experience

• MBA or CPA preferred
• High Tech or Manufacturing sector experience
  
  

Travel Requirements

• Domestic and/or International - 25%
  
  

We value diversity and are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regards to race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, ethnicity or national origin, disability, pregnancy, religion, covered veteran status, protected genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Accommodation for Applicants with Disabilities: As an equal opportunity employer, Acuity Inc. is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in its application process for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you have difficulty using our online system due to a disability and need an accommodation, you may contact us at (770) 922-9000. Please clearly indicate what type of accommodation you are requesting and for what requisition.

Any unsolicited resumes sent to Acuity Inc. from a third party, such as an Agency recruiter, including unsolicited resumes sent to an Acuity Inc. mailing address, fax machine or email address, directly to Acuity Inc. employees, or to Acuity Inc. resume database will be considered Acuity Inc. property. Acuity Inc. will NOT pay a fee for any placement resulting from the receipt of an unsolicited resume.

Acuity Inc. will consider any candidate for whom an Agency has submitted an unsolicited resume to have been referred by the Agency free of any charges or fees. This includes any Agency that is an approved/engaged vendor but does not have the appropriate approvals to be engaged on a search.

Knowledge of French is required for positions permanently located in Quebec so incumbents can communicate with their colleagues and suppliers in Quebec as necessary. French-language training is offered to all incumbents in permanent positions in Quebec who do not have a good knowledge of French.