Commercial Finance Manager (FTC)

Company Description

ABOUT US  / VALUES/ OVERVIEW

Universal International Studios (UIS), a division of Universal Studio Group, partners with storytellers from around the globe to create bold and distinctive shows with universal resonance. Based in London and led by President Beatrice Springborn, the business' in-house production companies include Carnival Films ("The Day of the Jackal," “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth,” "Downton Abbey”), Matchbox Pictures (“House of Gods,” "Bad Behaviour"), Working Title Television (“Too Much,” "We Are Lady Parts") and Heyday Television ( "The Capture," "Apples Never Fall"). UIS also backs Tony Ayres Productions ("Clickbait," "The Survivors") and is a minority shareholder with a first-look distribution deal in Canada’s Lark Productions (“Allegiance,” "Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent"). Additionally, UIS houses a scripted unit that develops and produces original series such as “Hanna,” and the BAFTA Award-winner "Dodger”, as well as partnering with third parties on series such as “The Dream Lands,” “One Day,” "Everyone Else Burns" and “The Undeclared War”. The studio also includes NBCUniversal Formats, the international sales division that brings content to the global market, including shows such as "The Real Housewives," "Top Chef," "Saturday Night Live," "Hollywood Game Night," "That’s My Jam," "Suits," "Superstore," and more.

At Universal International Studios, we are focused on our commitment to a more ambitious and inclusive future.  Our company values play a huge part in this commitment and the culture of our company.

We’re Ambitious For our Future, We’re In This Together, We’re Actively Inclusive.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and we’ll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you. Accessibility Statement | NBCUnicareers

Job Description

The role is a 14month FTC and sits within the Commercial and FP&A Finance team, providing business partnering support to our C-suite stakeholders on key decisions covering TV show investment, talent investment and corporate business development activity. This role is integral to helping the business make effective and efficient investment decisions, taking smart risks to support our growth agenda and it is fast paced.

The role reports to the SVP FP&A and Commercial Finance and sits within the FP&A and Commercial Finance team. The role has one direct report.

KEY STAKEHOLDERS

• USG Head of Studio and SLT team

• USG Business Development team

• Formats team

• Business and Legal Affairs

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: SUMMARY

1. BD and strategic project leader

2. Talent deals and M&A

3. Formats

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Investment in talent deals: provide analysis and recommendations on talent deals. Complex analysis must be distilled and presented succinctly highlighting the key issues, sensitivities, and recommendations to enable the business to make effective decisions. Memorialise the deal key terms, targets and valuation so all stakeholders are aware of the targets. Continued appraisal of talent investments vs. agreed targets. Promote a proactive culture of feedback and learning to improve future decision making.

• Ad hoc business support and a focus on providing proactive analysis, driving enhanced business performance and action orientated insights.

• External market analysis: oversee analysis on key TV markets, including communicating key market dynamics, competitor analysis and identifying opportunities for exploitation. Translate the analysis into insight and recommendations that will support investment decisions.

• Op Reviews and strategic initiatives: lead on behalf of UIS and work collaboratively alongside USG’s Business Development team.

• M&A: be UIS Finance lead on any M&A for UIS

• TV Formats: Support finance intern with processing and recognition of deals, working closely with sales and legal teams. Preparation of regular updates to leadership to ensure performance is monitored and trends within portfolio are communicated and understood. Provide analysis and recommendations on new business development opportunities within the Global Formats team of NBCUniversal. Formats, an exciting area of growth for the Studio, requires a strong financial partner to help define new business opportunities.

• Finance lead support on any strategic or Business Development initiatives. Proactively initiate new value add projects that enhance our performance through improving decision making, knowledge of our markets and ecosystem

• Manage Development Commitments against annual budget for two production companies and preparation of forecast for bi-monthly development reviews.

• Monitor external newsflow and corporate results to ensure that UIS Finance are well informed of the wider, external market.

Responsibilities are not limited to the above description and may be modified at any time by the Company.

Qualifications

· Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with extensive experience in Commercial Finance and FP&A, preferably within the TV industry.

· Ability to use a broad suite of communication tools (e.g., PowerPoint, Word memos or in-person presentations where appropriate), a good listener and a persuasive influencer. 

· Advanced modelling skills in Excel; ability to leverage these skills across immediate operational analysis as well as complex strategic models.

· Strong analytical mindset and ability to communicate complex financial and strategic issues to non-finance people.

· Ability to work at pace, using judgement to prioritise tasks whilst not compromising on quality, strong attention to detail.

· Ambitious and enthusiastic self-starter who is highly motivated and comfortable managing change. They must demonstrate ownership of their area and a can-do attitude. The successful candidate will be proactive, creative and have a curious solution focused mindset.

· Strong team player with excellent communication and interpersonal skills to deal effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders. Ability to work comfortably across different time zones, including the US and Australia. 

· All applicants must be able to provide documentation to prove they are eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

Additional Information

As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to AccessibilitySupport@nbcuni.com.