Finance Director, UK TV Production

The Director of Finance, UK TV Production, provides finance leadership, strategic decision support, governance and operational finance oversight across UK TV production businesses. The role supports budgeting, MRP, forecasting, greenlights, ultimate’s, financial reporting and business partnering, and includes a broader remit across treasury/funding, statutory and legal entity governance, production finance systems, audit/compliance, process controls and operational cost approvals.

What you'll do:

• Reports directly to the SVP Finance, International TV Production and manages a team of up to 2 professionals (with indirect oversight of UK JV Finance teams)
• Proactively manage, oversight and responsibility for the UK International TV Production Finance teams
• Provide commercial and financial decision support to UK MDs & business/production teams on all financial matters
• Support in coordination and management of the MRP (mid-range plan), and annual budgeting cycles
• Oversight of greenlight modelling and greenlight memo production for new shows (for UK productions)
• Support production departments on questions around internal budgeting for all shows
• Support of funding requirements for shows, working with BA and Corp Legal on adequate legal entity structuring to facilitate funding agreements
• In collaboration with management, define financial targets and goals
• Work with GFO team to produce an analysis of financial results after the quarterly and year-end close for UK operating companies, with a comparison of budget/forecast to actuals
• Ensure financial reports are accurately presented on the basis of IFRS
• Oversight of financial and business controls within the UK International TV Production business
• Partner with Business Affairs to develop financial models in support of talent and network negotiations for UK production companies
• Oversee and implement (as appropriate) reliable production cost accounting systems within each of the UK production companies
• Analyze and recommend any financial tactics for productions or other elements of the business, including restructuring and the like;
• Support and ensure the necessary adoption, implementation and maintenance of Sony or SPE policies or processes
• Oversight of treasury and cashflow forecasting, working with SGTS on credit facility and capitalisation needs for key corporate holding and trading entity SPTP UK
• Act as an ambassador for Sony at all times and conduct oneself with honesty and integrity
• Work effectively with employees, at all levels, across the business, including the ability to persuade non-reporting colleagues to timely provide information necessary for the success of the business
• International Travel as required

What you have:

• A leader who can develop and motivate a highly competent team of finance and accounting professionals
• Typically, 8+ years of financial experience required
• TV production industry experience required, particularly with Scripted programming
• High standard in influencing and interpersonal skills, to build and develop strong company relationships.
• Demonstrable financial analysis, financial projection skills, as well as IFRS (& US GAAP) accounting and financial reporting skills
• Creative and resourceful when it comes to problem-solving and structuring
• A personable, charismatic and professional individual who is a team player
• SAP knowledge preferred
• Strong MS Excel skills required
• Ability to quickly grasp new concepts and problem-solve
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong accounting / GAAP knowledge
• Detail-oriented with strong organisational, analytical and PC skills
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with all levels of management
• BS/BA degree with an accounting/finance focus preferred
• CPA (or equivalent) and/or MBA preferred