Senior Analyst / Manager - Sales Planning

Job Description

Senior Analyst/Manager - Sales Planning

Please note that this role is based in the United Kingdom. In order to enable us to meet statutory and regulatory obligations of the United Kingdom immigration system, you must have the appropriate immigration permission needed to work and reside in the United Kingdom.

Sony Pictures Entertainment is one of the industry's leading content providers, producing and distributing 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, SPE 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.

The TV Distribution Sales Planning team is responsible for setting and delivering our product distribution strategy, supporting negotiations and delivering the end-to-end sales process. This includes franchise planning, managing product availabilities and rights, negotiation and pricing support, contract review and execution, and budget and forecasting.
Our London office has an opportunity for a Snr Analyst/Manager (dependent on experience) to join the Sales Planning and Operations team in TV Distribution, supporting the Nordics & Benelux region The role in Sales Planning & Operations covers three key areas: Deal Management & Administration, Sales Analysis & Title Inventory Management, Forecasting & Planning. The role will have a focus on key clients in Nordics & Benelux and volume deals across the territory.

This position will mainly be supporting the Sales team based in the London office and will need to ensure regular communications and provide expertise on the clients, deals, sales history, current forecasts. They will also support projects, approvals and best practice initiatives, with potential for line management.

The candidate will have a passion for content and a broad understanding of the distribution business, vital to support the sales process. They will be a highly motivated individual able to communicate important market and client development to the relevant audience and be confident in working with Senior Executives within the group.

Key Responsibilities

The job's most important functions and responsibilities include:

Deal Management & Administration
• Set up & maintain deals in Sales & Rights Management systems (RPM & S2F) for own deal responsibility
• Handle contractual obligations and meet all deadlines as detailed in the contracts
• Draft simple contract drafts and amendments using standard templates, working with Legal team when necessary
• Track the workflow of contract, amendment, notification processes for every deal, client schedules, availability lists and ad hoc reports
• Assist and track progress of deal execution working closely with Sales and Legal on contract drafting, documentation and execution
• Client Support: Liaise with clients on queries relating to deals e.g. billing discrepancies, servicing issues, US Network scheduling changes.
• Client Support: Develop an excellent working relationship with clients and attend external meetings as required to support Sales process
• Client Support. Develop an excellent working relationship with clients, provide sales support and attend external meetings as required. Liaise with clients on queries relating to deals e.g. billing discrepancies, servicing issues, US Network scheduling changes.
• Internal Relationships:
• Finance - to ensure customer checks are carried out, resolving invoicing/payment issue, and responding to audit queries
• DCS (Materials Fulfilment team) to ensure we can plan and provide assets on time for new and existing deals.
• Global Deals Management team - to ensure global deals and avails are accurate
• Ensure all Sales Planning Procedures are upheld by seeking appropriate reviews, and Approvals
• Actively support system UAT and engage in the process of system development and improvements

Sales Analysis & Title Inventory Management
• Support negotiations of new deals and renegotiations with analysis, working with the Sales team, Exec Director, Sales Planning and the Central Analysis team based in London
• Analyse reports for available products and identify appropriate titles that meet client and sales criteria, and improve the sales potential
• Window Management - Improve window opportunities for all product
• Establish Window Strategy for Franchise titles for local and Global Deals
• Utilise and engage in the development of new software tools e.g. Tableau

Forecasting & Planning
• Take ownership for ensuring all deals and data in RPM /S2F is accurate and up to date
• Maintain/update the annual and MRP (Mid Range Plan) forecasts in RPM, process changes in a timely manner and keep Executive Director Sales Planning and Sales Teams informed of updates regularly
• Provide variance analysis on product, deals and/or market assumptions to support Sales in preparing the forecast
• Create summaries and commentary to Sales & Finance within prescribed deadlines
• Attend and contribute to regular forecast review meetings with Sales, Planning and Finance teams

Qualifications and Experience
• Ideally undergraduate degree level
• Proven experience in a similar environment (Media)
• Strong IT skills, in particular Excel (pivot tables, formulae), PowerPoint and confident learning new systems
• Fluency in English is essential

Competencies
• Highly numerate with excellent attention to all details – accuracy, presentation and completeness
• Problem Solving & Decision making – demonstrates an ability to address root causes of problems, identify alternatives and propose solutions
• Excellent interpersonal skills: Clear and articulate when speaking with an individual or before a group; confident in voicing their perspective, express ideas, thoughts and concepts and influencing within the Sales and Sales Planning group
• Able to provide information and reports in appropriate format and on a timely basis to key internal partners to support decision making
• Proactive and adaptable – anticipate needs in different situations and takes appropriate action with guidance and on own initiative
• Able to work effectively on their own as well as being a great teammate, willing to step in and assist colleagues when necessary

Sony Pictures Entertainment is committed to equal opportunity in all its employment practices, policies and procedures. No worker or potential worker will therefore receive less favourable treatment due to their race, age, creed, sexual orientation, colour, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, religion, gender, marital status or Trade Union membership (if applicable).

* Sony Pictures - GBR - London

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-r1z3em-18-221-129-19-42 in your application.