Director, Finance, Artist & Fan Experiences

Job Description

A little bit about our team:

The Warner Music Artist & Fan Experiences Group functions as a centralized, in-house creative agency for the Warner Recorded Music roster as well as for third party artists who need our expertise. This team is responsible for the development of programs to grow 1) fan engagement across digital, social, gaming and emerging platforms, 2) cultural resonance, and 3) revenue and market share for artists. This happens through merchandising, ticketing, subscriptions, content, collaborations, and more. Turning label and artist goals into ''must-have'' experiences for fans.

Your role:

The Director US, Finance works closely with the SVP Finance and the global finance teams to manage the financials for a portfolio of businesses for Warner Music Group artists and 3rd party artist on the Artist Arena Merchandise Label. As a member of the AFX global finance team you will gain experience working alongside AFX business leaders driving financial performance for the eCommerce, Retail, Licensing, Tour and VIP businesses. You'll get exposure to driving initiatives to optimize, automate and streamline financial and business reporting and processes. Primary responsibilities include financial and operational analyses, margins and cost management, financial modelling and finance transformation.

Here you'll get to:
• Prepares and looks after annual budgets and monthly forecasts with commentary of financial results including variance analysis actuals vs budget; communicates results to departments heads; develops action plans to hit targets where needed
• Manage merchandise business' P&L, Balance Sheet and Cashflow; responsible for corporate deliverables to ensure the financial and statutory reporting of eCommerce, Retail, Licensing, Tour and VIP businesses
• Provides analysis and consultation in developing new business opportunities and artist deals; prepares projections, delivers deal analyses and monitors activity to help drive performance
• Create and maintain multifaced financial models to assist in strategic initiatives and critical decisions
• Partner with business leaders to drive growth and margin improvement initiatives
• Create and streamline cost management structure used for tracking special project initiatives, marketing ventures, vendor costs, T&E and overheard.
• Manages US merchandise supply chain/distribution cost analytics and inventory management to identify areas for margin improvements and efficiencies
• Design and streamline financial and operational reporting to help better monitor and report out business performance
• Define design requirements to automate reporting processes including building out inventory costing systems and processes, artist reporting, financial statement consolidations and champion initiatives including global financial ERP rollout
• Supervise and invest in development of team of four (two direct reports) to create opportunities for enhancement and growth
• Oversight of monthly financial close processes and financial accounting procedures managed by shared services accounting teams, implementing technical accounting policies and maintaining control environment SOX controls
• Liaises and oversees coordination of operators, IT, shared services teams to ensure effective and appropriate revenue processing and reporting for various business streams
• Engages on finance transformation initiatives; builds and oversee business processes that will streamline dataflow for maximum efficiency and effectiveness and ensure successful execution of business plans
• Proactively develops ad hoc reporting and analytics to provide value added insights to management
• Manages financial controls and risk management procedures; recommend data flow and controls improvement
• Continually identifies improvements via best practice replication, creative and innovative solutions, and alignment of goals and objectives

About you:
• Degree in Accounting or Finance
• 8+years of FP&A, Accounting, Big 4 public accounting
• Minimum of 5 years of experience managing and developing teams
• Advanced excel skills, data analyses, deal modeling
• CPA or equivalent certification a plus
• Proficient knowledge of US GAAP and related financial reporting requirements and standards
• Dynamic individual who can easily adapt and thrive in a creative, dynamic, fast-paced environment and manage multiple projects and resources effectively
• Possess excellent interpersonal skills, a strong work ethic, and the ability to influence decision making at a senior level and exert influence with key business leaders/stakeholders to meet financial targets and business objectives
• Strong data proficiency, with an ability translate insights into actionable recommendations
• Highly organized with a strong ability for critical-thinking, excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Demonstrated experience in business process improvement, streamlining reporting and operations
• Proactive, self starter with proven experience developing and structuring effective and high performing finance teams
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, including the ability to present analysis, recommendations, and complex financial concepts to audiences at all levels of the organization
• You will be working across many different business areas; it will be important for you to be flexible, dynamic and diplomatic so you can effectively adapt to business requirements
• Exhibit strong project management and organization skills, including the ability to multi-task and prioritize various workstreams simultaneously
• Driver of ''change'' and thinks creatively and strategically
• You have a high level of intellectual curiosity, especially around music, technology, and entertainment
• You have an entrepreneurial spirit and are motivated by innovation and excellence

We'd love it if you also had:
• Experience with SAP and HFM a plus
• Finance transformation, Business process re-design, Internal Audit experience a plus
• Music, Merchandise, Retail, eComm, media & entertainment experience a plus

#LI-Hybrid

Salary Range
$130,000 - $150,000 annually

Salary Ranges are included for all NY, California job postings and 100% remote roles where talent can be located. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as work experience and business needs. The pay range is subject to change at any time dependent on a variety of internal and external factors.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rzz8b1-18-216-251-37-42 in your application.