Finance Systems Product Manager

Location: Phoenix, AZ Onsite: 3 days a week (Tuesday-Thursday) Type: Contract-to-Hire Rate: $80/hour We’re seeking a Finance Systems Product Manager with strong expertise in Finance & Accounting operations and financial systems (ideally Workday) to act as a key bridge between business stakeholders and engineering teams. This role combines deep functional accounting knowledge with hands-on product ownership, including defining priorities, translating requirements, and driving execution to deliver measurable business value. You will step into high-visibility, in-flight initiatives, quickly bringing structure to complex, evolving workstreams while strengthening product ownership practices across the organization. The ideal candidate thrives in ambiguity, ramps quickly, and leads through influence, partnering cross-functionally to help Finance & Accounting teams better leverage technology and data to drive scalable, business-critical outcomes. Key Responsibilities Drive product roadmap ownership by aligning stakeholders, managing competing priorities, and partnering with Finance & Accounting to define, prioritize, and deliver high‑value initiatives aligned to business outcomes. Translate business needs into requirements and partner with cross-functional teams to design, build, test, and release solutions. Lead backlog management, sprint planning, and Agile ceremonies while proactively managing risks and ensuring alignment to scope, timelines, and budget. Identify opportunities to optimize processes, automate workflows, and improve system performance. Ensure solutions meet requirements through testing coordination and validation. Provide guidance and mentorship to other product team members, helping elevate product ownership practices. Qualifications Strong background in Finance & Accounting, ideally with hands-on experience in accounting, FP&A, or related functions. Deep understanding of financial concepts such as P&L, balance sheet, debits/credits, AP, AR, payroll, and operational accounting workflows. Proven experience as a Technical Product Owner, Product Manager, or Technical Project Manager. Demonstrated success working in Agile/Scrum environments, including backlog management and sprint execution. Experience translating business requirements into technical solutions and partnering with engineering teams. Hands-on experience with Workday Financials, ideally as a power user (not necessarily a system admin) is a plus. Familiarity with concepts such as FDM, EIBs, business process flows, and Adaptive Planning is a plus. Experience working on data integrations, reporting, or automation initiatives is a plus. Exposure to retail, supply chain, or enterprise finance environments is a plus. About Excelerate Excelerate LLC is a boutique consulting firm distinguished by its hands-on, collaborative approach to solving complex business challenges. We partner closely with our clients, bringing deeply experienced consultants who work in a facilitative style to deliver practical, lasting impact. Our work is grounded in four core values: humility, energy, integrity, and flexibility. These principles shape our culture, guide our work, and define the people who thrive here.