Manager, Sales Planning - Global Deals Distribution

Job Description

Manager, Sales Planning – Global Deals Distribution

The Distribution business is a core division of Sony Pictures based in Culver City. It is responsible for the licensing of all of the studio's feature films, TV series and formats to linear and digital platforms worldwide. The LA based Sales Planning and Operations team supports negotiations for deals with all multi-regional clients e.g., Netflix, Amazon, etc. and collaborates closely with the regional sales teams in EMEA, APAC & LATAM to obtain availability (avails), rights and pricing information.

This is a key role for the LA-based ''Global Deals'' sales team and supports a demanding and challenging area of the business. As this individual develops a strong understanding of SPE's clients, products, and systems, they will be accountable for supporting sales in the negotiations by being accountable for accurately determining/validating the availability of product worldwide, establishing best practices on management of the global deals and handling the processes related to the ongoing management of key global deals. The role provides an exciting opportunity to be involved in a critical and growing part of the distribution business and an opportunity to learn about the complexities and nuances of licensing to and managing clients and deals that impact every market around the world.

The Manager will manage the process for obtaining accurate global avails for key global customers and serve as the primary contact for regional planning teams.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Avails
• Generating availability reports to identify series or features available for sale. Identifying availability by media, window, and territory/language and working with in-territory planning teams to verify information and to address open questions. Creating a format to best represent the avails given the various parameters being represented (e.g. territories, avail dates, exclusivity information etc)
• Gaining a deep knowledge of key territories as it relates to territory windowing rules, existing local output/volume deals and other market nuances that may impact avails

Deal Management
• Serve as global deals expert and manager of the sales process from early discussions/negotiations to finance system entry.
• Determine the most effective/efficient way to represent the deal terms in the system
• Understand the deal terms, customer billing requirements and corporate reporting requirements and determine the optimal approach for entering/setting up each global deal in the system
• Work closely with regional planners to confirm global availability; provide required inputs and manage timelines according to needs of the Sales team. Continually refine and improves process and procedures to increase efficiency and accuracy of data in the systems.
• Calculate and allocate fees for key global deals. Ensure compliance with accounting rules and provide back-up materials for approval/audit requests
• Process orders for revenue recognition in compliance with GAAP and SOX requirements
• Serve as a primary point of contact for key global players
• Prepare and send client notifications
• Provide excellent customer service, including timely response to inquiries
• Advocate for customer's interests to cross functional teams
• Liaise frequently with the studio's materials fulfillment teams to ensure we are able to plan and provide assets on time for new and existing deals

QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 3-5 years' experience in a rights management or similar role in distribution sales
• Strong computer skills, in particular, Excel (pivot tables, formula & modeling); comfortable learning new systems
• Understanding of content rights management and the media landscape
• Highly passionate individual who is dedicated and interested in continuously learning.
• Top-notch analytical and presentation skills
• Proactive, flexible, and adaptable - Evaluates, selects and acts on various methods and strategies for solving problems and meeting objectives before being asked or required to do so
• Adapts easily to a complex, rapidly evolving business
• Great verbal and written communication skills
• Strong attention to all details – accuracy, presentation, and completeness.
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills
• The ability to comprehend complex, multi-territory deals
• Proactive in thinking about improving processes.

*As part of our commitment to health and safety, SPE requires all US non-union applicants and employees to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or to request and obtain approval of a reasonable accommodation based on disability or a sincerely held religious belief, practice or observance. To request an accommodation for purposes of participating in the hiring process, you may contact us at SPE_Accommodation_Assistance@spe.sony.com.

* Sony Pictures - CA - Culver City Area & Studios

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gpx854-3-22-181-81-42 in your application.