Anaplan Certification Center Hiring Manager Toolkit

Model Builder - Job Description & Interview Questions

Job Description

Qualifications

1+ year of Anaplan model-building experience
Anaplan Professional Model Builder certification
Ability to take a simple spreadsheet and build it out in Anaplan with minimal support
Ability to configure and maintain Anaplan lists, modules, dashboards, actions, and other model settings
Strong proficiency in data modeling and manipulation, particularly in spreadsheets/Excel
Demonstrated experience with advanced Excel functions (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, etc.) or other multidimensional modeling tools
Ability to interpret complex business requirements and translate them into models
Ability to analyze and work with large data sets
Strong SQL skills; experience with Tableau, Power BI, Qlik, or similar visualization tools
3+ years supporting FP&A or Sales Finance functions with knowledge of end-to-end business processes
3+ years of experience in data, reporting, or technology-focused roles
Preferred: Agile/Scrum experience
Preferred: Experience with APIs or integrating planning/analytics systems with other business applications (ERP, CRM, or similar)
Preferred: Knowledge of data warehousing concepts or ETL processes

Responsibilities

Serve as second-level technical support for business users
Troubleshoot and resolve system/application issues; manage user security; monitor and validate data flows; maintain support documentation
Apply Anaplan best practices (e.g., DISCO methodology) to ensure consistency and efficiency
Partner with business stakeholders to confirm user stories and enhance existing models
Assess and communicate the impact of requested changes on upstream and downstream processes
Deliver training to prepare business users for model enhancements
Stay current on Anaplan platform updates and new functionalities

Can you describe a model you built in Anaplan from scratch? What were the business requirements, and how did you design the structure (lists, modules, dashboards) to meet them?
Look for: Clear explanation of design choices, understanding of lists/modules/dashboards, and alignment with business needs.

Give an example of a complex formula you implemented in Anaplan. Why was it necessary, and how did it improve the model’s functionality or performance?
Look for: Knowledge of Anaplan functions, problem-solving approach, and impact on model efficiency.

Have you worked with importing data from ERP, CRM, or other systems into Anaplan? How did you manage data quality and updates?
Look for: Understanding of data integration, validation, and troubleshooting techniques.

How do you ensure your models are scalable, maintainable, and follow Anaplan best practices?
Look for: Awareness of DISCO methodology, line item subsets, modular design, and long-term maintainability.

Describe a situation where a model you built had errors or issues after deployment. How did you identify and resolve them?
Look for: Problem-solving skills, methodical debugging, and ability to support end users effectively.

When building a financial or sales planning model, how do you ensure the model accurately reflects business processes and decision-making?
Look for: Ability to translate business requirements into technical models, attention to detail, and understanding of business processes.

Have you ever trained or supported business users on an Anaplan model? How did you make the model intuitive for non-technical users?
Look for: Communication skills, ability to simplify complex models, and experience enabling users.