Finance Manager, Domestic Home Entertainment FP&A

Job Description

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production, acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services, and technologies.

Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE's Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics.

Sony Pictures Television (SPT) is one of the television industry's leading content providers, producing, distributing, and carrying programming worldwide in every genre and for every platform. In addition to managing one of the industry's largest libraries of award-winning feature films, television shows and formats, SPT is home to a thriving global content business, operating a robust portfolio of wholly-owned and joint-venture production companies across the US, Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific, as well as linear and digital channels around the world. SPT is a Sony Pictures Entertainment Company.

The Domestic Home Ent. Manager is a key member of the FP&A team, primarily involved in the preparation of monthly management reporting, variance analysis, quarterly forecasts, annual budget, multi-year plans, ultimates, go-to-market P&L, special projects and ad hoc analyses.

As part of the day-to-day activities, this role will be expected to actively engage in transformational initiatives such as the streamlining and shortening of forecast cycles via automation concepts, leveraging new systems and technologies, developing reporting requirements and data visualization techniques as the business evolves to digital new media.

From a business partnering perspective, this role will also liaise with the commercial and marketing teams in the preparation of forecasts, budgets and ultimates related to television titles, acquired feature films and third party product.

From a financial expertise perspective, the manager will work closely with our Global Finance Organization group (Accounting, Credit and Collections, etc) to gain a firm understanding of monthly financial statements and processes (P&L, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet, revenue recognition and accrual processes, etc) as well as to communicate and knowledge share financial plan assumptions, as applicable.

This role will be expected to actively contribute ideas and perspective as we strive to continuously gain knowledge of the business, improve finance processes, and streamline planning cycles. In addition, the collective planning team will coordinate with the domestic distribution planning team and the global distribution consolidation team to ensure appropriate financial schedules such as title forecasts, income statements and cash flow statements are prepared, communicated and delivered timely.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of collaboration, process improvement, working with multiple financial and planning systems, as well as, demonstrating excellent analytical, presentation, and communication skills.

Responsibilities:
• Prepare financial budgets, quarterly forecasts, and multi-year plans (P&L, Cash Flow, Balance Sheet).
• Ensure P&L assumptions are aligned to commercial drivers and are properly reflected in PBCS (Essbase) and BPC planning systems.
• Review and ensure quarterly production assumption changes are completed timely and accurately.
• Ensure preparation of product owner P&L passes are accurate and on-time.
• Consolidate full Domestic Home Entertainment plan view (physical and digital businesses, across Motion Picture Group, WW Acquisitions, Television Production and Third Party business)
• Track performance relative to budgets and forecasts. Review actual results and concisely explain variances against budget and forecast, market and product slate categories via commercial drivers.
• Liaise with accounting team to sustain essential flow of information.
• Liaise with the Credit and Collections and AP teams, as necessary, to stay informed on potential impacts to plan assumptions.
• Coordinate with the commercial and marketing teams to prepare title specific go-to-market P&L
• Coordinate with team to prepare and review greenlight and pre-release ultimates (titles unreleased).
• Coordinate with team to prepare, review and consolidate quarterly ultimate updates (primarily titles in release).
• Prepare third party statements and reporting
• Support the annual update of the film ultimate model, as necessary
• Prepare quarterly forecast and annual budget title detail for the Sales Reporting team.
• Assist in preparation of monthly management review Power Point presentation deck
• Assist in quarterly plan Power Point presentation deck
• Special projects and analyses.

Requirements:

Experience:
• 5+ years FP&A experience with solid accounting knowledge in media entertainment / distribution / home entertainment and / or technology / digital background a plus.

Education:
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting/Finance preferred. MBA/CPA a plus.

Core Skills / Key Competencies:
• Experience in transforming legacy manual processes into integrated digital/automated processes, as well as identifying and organizing data to achieve a better outcome for analyses
• Ability to quickly grasp new concepts, problem solve and communicate with finance and non-finance partners through tactical execution
• Critical thinker with excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Strong financial modeling background
• Solid business acumen and problem-solving skills
• Strong initiative and ability to manage multiple projects
• Strong follow-through on all projects
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• Strong organization skills, attention to detail and accuracy
• Strong sense of urgency and ability to bring projects to timely completion with minimal supervision
• Have an open mind for process improvement and embracing change
• Strong understanding of US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP)
• Experience with Tableau, Power BI, Alteryx a plus
• High proficiency in MS Excel and PowerPoint with data analytics & ability to translate information / data into insights-driven story-telling management reporting / presentation
• Ability to work with high volume of data from multiple sources
• SAP/BPC Standard, Essbase, PBCS/Smartview experience a plus

The anticipated base salary for this position is $95,000-$130,000. This role may also qualify for annual incentive and/or comprehensive benefits. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, the location of the position.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristics.

To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rn112m-3-16-75-37-42 in your application.