Operations and Business Case Lead

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Automotive

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. At HARMAN Automotive, we give you the keys to fast-track your career.

• Engineer audio systems and integrated technology platforms that augment the driving experience

• Combine ingenuity, in-depth research, and a spirit of collaboration with design and engineering excellence

• Advance in-vehicle infotainment, safety, efficiency, and enjoyment

About the Role

As the Operations and Business Case Lead, you will play a central role in shaping how the Software Products Business Unit plans, performs, and grows. This is a high-impact position that sits at the intersection of finance, sales, and business strategy — requiring equal parts analytical depth, operational discipline, and cross-functional leadership.

You will be responsible for Business Unit’s (BU) financial planning and P&L management, end-to-end sales operations & governance, and customer business cases — ensuring leadership team has the clarity and confidence to make data driven business decisions. You will lead a team and operate as a trusted partner to senior stakeholders across Finance, Sales, Product, and Business Growth.

What You Will Do

Business Planning, Cost Management & Profitability

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning, with clear performance tracking & variance analysis

• Own product level P&L analysis, across R&D, CoS, and SG&A (in alignment with product management)

• Prepare monthly P&L reporting across revenue, COS, gross margin, EBIT, discounts, rebates, and cost allocations for senior stakeholders

• Lead reconciliation of SAP CO-PA outputs with local controlling results to ensure consistent, reliable management reporting

• Anchor the annual planning cycle, aligning headcount, cost structures, and investments with 5-year strategic goals

Sales Operations, Pursuits Governance & Pipeline Management

• Own end-to-end governance across the full opportunity lifecycle — early pursuits, active deals, change requests, extensions, and renewals

• Maintain business unit-wide pipeline visibility through Salesforce dashboards and analytics, tracking pipeline value, maturity, stage integrity, and risk

• Chair and drive WinRoom and Pre‑GRO governance forums, ensuring discussions are decision‑oriented, inputs are complete and evidence‑based, risks are surfaced early, and clear outcomes and next steps are established

• Manage large scale Qlik Sense & Excel dashboards and derive actionable insights for leadership team

Business Case Management

• Lead end-to-end business case development across new opportunities, renewals, pricing changes, and commercial decisions — driving alignment with CAMs, Controllers, and cross-functional stakeholders on key assumptions including volumes, pricing, margins, service years, and EBIT targets

• Orchestrate cross-functional partnerships with Engineering, Product, Program Management, and Sales Operations to integrate scope, effort estimates, cost assumptions, quote-to-cash inputs, contract financials, and revenue recognition into robust, deal-ready financial frameworks

What You Need to Be Successful

• 8-10 years of experience in business operations, financial planning, or a similar function within a technology or software organization

• Strong financial acumen across P&L management, forecasting, profitability analysis, and cost controlling

• Experience with SAP, and related finance systems; proficiency in Salesforce for pipeline management and reporting

• Advanced Excel and data visualization skills

• Proven ability to manage pursuits or deals governance in a B2B environment, with familiarity with formal deal review forums

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills — able to simplify complexity and influence without authority across a matrixed, global organization

• High attention to detail, strong process orientation, and a track record of driving governance and operational discipline

• Experience leading and developing small-to-mid-sized teams and operational improvements

Bonus Points if You Have

• MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification in Finance, Business, or Strategy

• Professional finance certifications (CPA, CMA, CIMA, or equivalent)

• Exposure to formal deal approval processes such as WinRoom or GRO reviews. Advanced proficiency in financial systems and tools (e.g., SAP, advanced Excel, data visualization tools like Power BI)

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to work a minimum of 3 days per week in a hybrid office environment in our Novi, MI location

• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location

• Access to employee discounts on world-class products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)

• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University

• Competitive wellness benefits

• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

#LI-Hybrid

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Pay Transparency

$ 108,750 - $ 159,500

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.

Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits

HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology 

Ever since the 1920s, we’ve been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.  

Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today’s most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world’s ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other. 

If you’re ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams

Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', ‘@careers.harman.com’ or ‘@harmanglobal.avature.net’ email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on jobsearch.harman.com.

You Belong Here 

HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you – all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.  

HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.() 

HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at  View email address on jobsearch.harman.com . Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.