Passionate financial professional focused on helping companies drive growth and reach their objectives through continuous alignment of business and financial objectives, while seeking to overcome operational issues and drive proactive improvements.
Hi, I’m
Gabriel Romay González Cobian
Corporate Finance
Ciudad De Mexico,San Miguel Chapultepec
Summary
Overview
22
years of professional experience
Work History
ClipMexico City
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
07.2021 - Current
Job overview
- Evolved the FP&A function as a key partner supporting decision making and providing clarity on financial results and unit economics at the product/channel level.
- Developed and leveraged effective working relationships across the organization that helped building a 3 year long range plan, from strategy and key priorities definition to investment re-allocations.
- Executed expense efficiencies of approximately 15%, through 3 head count right-sizings along with HR, a zero based budget implementation, and ongoing monthly expense reviews identifying risks, opportunities, and timings.
- Created a Pricing Team to develop merchant fee strategies to help us expand into middle market segment and online commerce platforms.
- Built a best in class FP&A team, expanding it from 6 to 14 professionals to support financial reporting, budgeting, expense control, scenario planning, and investment optimization analysis.
- Led cash flow projections and liquidity monitoring processes alongside treasury.
- Prioritized FP&A processes mapping and documentation to ensure knowledge transfer.
American ExpressMexico City
Strategic Planning Sr. Director
02.2018 - 07.2021
Job overview
- Reporting directly to the Country Manager with two main responsibilities:
- 1) Strategic Planning for the Consumer Card Team Developed annual strategic plans, monthly results tracking, and expense forecast & control - Led analysis of business cases for key projects earning USD $20M of incremental investments from HQ with +3.0 of ROI - Coordinated repricing actions that delivered USD $40M incremental pre tax income in one year - Built a payroll model at the headcount level (~800) to improve accuracy of budget planning and provide transparency on monthly results analysis.
- 2) Chief of Staff for the Country Executive Team Ensured strategic alignment across the executive team, pushed execution of key priorities and agreements, led the hosting of HQ market visits and created presentations to share market performance. Supported the Country Manager transitioning into his role, working as a thought partner developing the new identity of his office, market vision and new operating principles.
Global Merchant ServicesMexico City
Director of Pricing for LAC
12.2015 - 01.2018
Job overview
- Responsible for setting and managing pricing principles and strategies for USD +$23Bn of purchasing volume on the Amex network across Latam, as well as a range of value-added products, including interest free installment plans and instant payment for merchants.
- Developed analytical framework and custom pricing solutions to defend Amex premium pricing across LAC.
- Lead Caribbean coverage strategy requested by the global CEO to improve card acceptance and perception of coverage on key T&E industries, simplifying over 50 pricing plans, generated $20M in incremental transactions and improved customer satisfaction
- Directed pricing strategy to sign CFE (Mexico electricity provider) after 18 months of negotiation, ensuring USD $200M of potential payment volume was profitable for Amex.
Global Merchant Services, LACMexico City
Lead Financial Officer
12.2013 - 12.2015
Job overview
- Responsible for financial reporting, planning and results analysis for Merchant Services across LAC, focusing on driving profitability growth for shareholders through strategic decision support, investment optimization, and expense management
- Influenced decision making through financial analysis and by building high impact relationships, aligning financial objectives with business goals/targets
- Lead financial valuation and due diligence for the sell off of our merchant acquiring business in Panama (Deal size of USD $15M)
- Contributed to grow sales by 26% and pre tax income by 39% from $144M to $200M in two years.
International Card Services
Finance Director
08.2011 - 12.2013
Job overview
- Lead expense control initiative to reduce Opex by 10% in 2013.
- Developed business cases for business transformation initiatives delivering more than $70M in pre tax income between 2012 and 2013.
- Supported launch of Payback loyalty program in Mexico, bringing together controllership, taxes, treasury, tech and risk to define finance requirements and roadmap.
International Consumer and Small Business ServicesNew York City
Finance Manager
08.2010 - 08.2011
Job overview
- Financial analysis and modeling for international credit card portfolio across 8 priority markets, projecting receivables growth and related interest income and credit losses.
- Transformed AR forecast model to better reflect deleveraging consumer trends and changes in Amex strategy focusing on premium lending.
- Generated fundamental analysis to inform forecasting process and helped business partners understand how to influence AR growth through acquisition, risk management or product offerings.
American ExpressNew York City
Corporate Planning- Finance Manager
08.2009 - 08.2010
Job overview
- Collaborated in developing Amex stress test model for The Federal Reserve by creating balance sheets and P&Ls at business unit level to determine if capital requirements were met.
- Developed a regression analysis to identify correlations between excess volatility of Amex purchasing volume over GDP consumer components (PCE) during economic cycles.
American ExpressNew York City
Global Prepaid - Finance Manager
08.2008 - 08.2009
Job overview
- Developed Travelers Cheque investment valuation model and rolled it out across 14 markets. Built long range plan and supported exit strategy of Travelers Cheques across 10 countries.
Banco de MéxicoMexico City
Financial Researcher
10.2001 - 08.2006
Job overview
- Managed oversight of 9 foreign bank branches and 21 mortgage credit institutions (SOFOLES) to ensure institutional solvency and systemic stability was met in line with regulatory guidance.
- Prepared study on banking fees and commissions for Central Bank Governor's address to Congress, leading to inclusion of this topic in the Transparency Law, impacting the financial system by enhancing competition among banks.
Education
The University of Texas, McCombs School of BusinessAustin, TX
MBA from Finance
University Overview
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo De MéxicoMexico City
Diploma from Financial Derivatives
University Overview
Universidad De Las Américas - PueblaPuebla, Mexico
Bachelor of Science from Economics
University Overview
UDLA-P Excellence Scholarship and Dean's List from 1996 to 1998
Soccer Scholarship from 1998 to 2000
Skills
- Financial modeling
- Budgeting /Financial planning
- Strategic planning
- Investment analysis
- Cash management
- Pricing strategy
- English language proficiency
- Relationship building
- Employee motivation
Timeline
Head of Financial Planning & Analysis
Clip
07.2021 - Current
Strategic Planning Sr. Director
American Express
02.2018 - 07.2021
Director of Pricing for LAC
Global Merchant Services
12.2015 - 01.2018
Lead Financial Officer
Global Merchant Services, LAC
12.2013 - 12.2015
Finance Director
International Card Services
08.2011 - 12.2013
Finance Manager
International Consumer and Small Business Services
08.2010 - 08.2011
Corporate Planning- Finance Manager
American Express
08.2009 - 08.2010
Global Prepaid - Finance Manager
American Express
08.2008 - 08.2009
Financial Researcher
Banco de México
10.2001 - 08.2006
The University of Texas, McCombs School of Business
MBA from Finance
Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo De México
Diploma from Financial Derivatives
Universidad De Las Américas - Puebla
Bachelor of Science from Economics
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