Finance Manager, Business Partner Operations

At AmaWaterways, we believe meaningful careers begin with purpose, passion and a shared commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences. For those who value curiosity, connection and personal enrichment, AmaWaterways offers the opportunity to help craft meaningful river journeys that invite travelers to follow their own current. Built on a foundation of heartfelt hospitality, we treat our guests—and each other—with genuine care, warmth and respect. AmaWaterways fosters a collaborative environment both onboard our ships and across our global network of offices, where team members grow together, support one another and take pride in upholding the high standards and thoughtful service our company is known for.

We invite talented, motivated professionals to explore our career opportunities and begin their journey with AmaWaterways today.

SUMMARY: The Finance Manager, Business Partner – Operations serves as a key financial partner embedded with the Operations team, providing financial analysis, cost management support, process mapping, reporting, and business insights to improve operational decision-making. This role partners closely with Operations leadership and cross-functional teams to help manage costs, strengthen approval processes, support back-end systems and implementation needs, and create better visibility into financial and operational data. The position requires strong financial acumen, patience, process discipline, and the ability to keep conversations focused while identifying opportunities for process improvement and better cost controls.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Operations Finance Business Partnering:

• Serve as the primary finance partner for Operations leadership, providing financial guidance, reporting, and analysis to support business decisions.
• Embed with the Operations team to understand operational workflows, cost drivers, approval needs, system requirements, and business priorities.
• Partner with Operations leadership to evaluate financial impacts of operational decisions, process changes, vendor needs, and business initiatives.
• Provide clear, practical financial insights and recommendations to support cost management, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Build strong working relationships with internal stakeholders while helping keep discussions focused, productive, and aligned to business objectives.

Cost Management, Budgeting, and Forecasting:

• Support the annual budget, forecast, and planning processes for Operations-related expenses and initiatives.
• Prepare, analyze, and maintain financial forecasts related to operating costs, departmental spend, vendor costs, headcount, and other key cost drivers.
• Monitor expenses against budget and forecast, identify variances, and communicate risks, opportunities, and recommended actions to leadership.
• Partner with department leaders to improve cost visibility, spending discipline, and timely review of operational financial performance.
• Assist with scenario planning and financial modeling to support cost management and strategic decision-making.

Systems, Data, and Back-End Support:

• Play a key role in supporting back-end systems, reporting structure, and implementation needs that enable accurate cost tracking and business visibility.
• Partner with Finance, Operations, IT, and other stakeholders to identify system gaps, data needs, workflow issues, and reporting requirements.
• Support the development and improvement of financial reports, dashboards, and tools needed to appropriately manage costs and approvals.
• Ensure financial and operational data is accurate, consistent, and structured in a way that supports timely decision-making.
• Assist with testing, implementation support, documentation, and user adoption for system and process improvements.

Approval Delegations and Process Improvement:

• Help evaluate, document, and strengthen approval delegation processes to support appropriate financial controls and accountability.
• Map current-state and future-state processes to identify gaps, bottlenecks, duplicate work, and opportunities for improvement.
• Partner with stakeholders to clarify roles, responsibilities, approval workflows, and escalation points.
• Recommend process improvements that enhance efficiency, transparency, compliance, and cost management.
• Support the creation of procedures, process documentation, and training materials to improve consistency across the Operations team.

Reporting, Analysis, and Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc financial reports related to Operations performance, cost trends, spending activity, and key business metrics.
• Analyze financial results and provide clear explanations of variances, trends, cost drivers, and operational impacts.
• Collaborate with Accounting, Operations, IT, Procurement, and other teams to support financial processes, month-end close activities, accruals, and reporting needs.
• Maintain confidentiality and ensure compliance with company policies, approval requirements, and financial procedures.
• Support special projects, business cases, and leadership requests, as assigned.
• Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This position may have no direct supervisory responsibilities.
• May provide guidance, support, and training to junior finance team members or cross-functional partners, as needed.
• Carries out responsibilities in accordance with the organization’s policies and applicable laws.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field required.
• Five or more years of related finance, financial planning and analysis, business partnering, accounting, or operations finance experience preferred.
• Experience supporting Operations, cost management, process improvement, systems implementation, or business operations functions preferred.
• Strong financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, cost analysis, and variance analysis skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills required; experience with financial systems, ERP systems, reporting tools, workflow systems, and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Strong ability to map processes, document workflows, identify gaps, and recommend practical improvements.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, with the ability to keep conversations on task and guide stakeholders through complex or detailed discussions.
• Patient, collaborative, and professional approach when working through process, data, or system challenges with cross-functional teams.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret financial and operational data, identify trends, and provide actionable recommendations.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, manage multiple priorities, and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong business acumen and ability to build effective working relationships with Operations and cross-functional partners.

COMPETENCIES:

Analytical Thinking

Synthesizes complex information; leverages data, experience, and sound judgment to design practical and effective solutions.

Business Acumen

Understands the broader business impact of decisions; considers financial, market, and operational implications; aligns work with strategic priorities.

Communication 

Communicates clearly and thoughtfully; adapts messaging; listens actively; presents ideas with confidence and purpose.

Ethics & Integrity

Leads with integrity, transparency, and professionalism; honors commitments; builds trust through consistent actions; upholds AmaWaterways’ values and standards.

Judgment & Problem Solving

Makes timely, well‑reasoned decisions; evaluates risks and alternatives; engages the right stakeholders to drive informed outcomes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Continually required to sit.
• Frequently required to use hands and fingers for computer work.
• Frequently required to talk or hear.
• Occasionally required to stand and walk.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.