Finance, FP&A Manager

Company Description:

FIFTH SEASON is a recently formed global entertainment company and is already a multi-award winning creator / producer / distributor of feature films and premium television series, including the 14 Emmy nominated Severance, Roar, See and Truth Be Told on Apple TV+, Wolf Like Me for Peacock, Life & Beth, Nine Perfect Strangers and Emmy nominated McCartney 3,2,1 for Hulu, and Tokyo Vice for HBO Max.

FIFTH SEASON is also a trusted partner and handles global distribution for dozens of hit series, including Killing Eve, The Morning Show, Normal People and The Night Manager. Our aim is to deliver the best-in-class expertise of a big studio with a bold entrepreneurial spirit and a passion of a start-up.

Role We are looking for a FP&A Manager to join us on a 12-15 month FTC to cover maternity leave in our London based finance team. Reporting into the VP Finance, and working closely with the LA-based HQ Finance team, the position will lead across all FP&A matters for the global TV sales team.

Annual Budget / Forecasts Updates:

• Prepare / manage / deliver annual budget / forecasts / long range plans
• Providing executive communication, storytelling, dashboards and presentations
• Understanding changes / movements with variance analysis, bridges and walks
• Underlining secured business, identifying opportunities to close gaps and minimising business exposure to risk

Title Ultimates:

• Run and maintain ultimates (10 year sales projections) preparation with quarterly updates based on latest deal structures and underlying agreements,
• Detailed reporting against actuals and original projections

Monthly Revenue Recognition:

• Support revenue team with monthly actuals oversight
• Detailed reporting against actuals and original projections
• Managing deal Hit List to ensure delivery inline with expectations

Reporting to London SMT & LA HQ:

• Co-ordinate and prepare monthly performance analysis against budget and recent reforecast
• Detailed reporting of lifetime sales against ultimates
• Ad-hoc financial and operating reports and analysis

Adhoc:

• Provide deal terms validation in new rights system (Rights Line)
• Liaising with AR team to ensure prompt receivables with support on billing terms, withholding tax minimisation and other ad-hoc support,
• Drive improvements to and automation of management reporting & systems
• Liaising with Technical Accounting, Business & Legal Affairs, Sales & Marketing teams
• Proactively drive ideas for improved operations, analysis, cost savings and other efficiencies by presenting analysis to management and actively collaborating with key stakeholders
• Delivery of regular and ad-hoc financial analysis / management requests

Essential Requirements / Skills:

• Qualified Accountant: ACA / CIMA / ACCA or equivalent
• Advanced proficiency with Excel and financial modelling
• Ability to work in a large matrix organization with a resilient start-up can do mentality
• Excellent attention to detail
• Relevant experience working in a Media/Entertainment business
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret financial and research data
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task projects and stakeholders across the company
• Excellent interpersonal skills (when to deploy tact, diplomacy and discretion)
• Ability to organize workload to fit to a dynamic and fast-paced timeframe
• Experienced with SAP/BPC

Advantageous Skills:

• Previous experience in a sales or distribution environment and Ultimate Accounting
• Experience of Rights Management Systems such as Rights Line
• Experience in working in a multi-national company
• Interest in content, understanding of the ecosystem and the changing landscape of distribution

Working Conditions:

• This is a fixed term contract (13-15 months) role and will be based at Marylebone, London
• Hybrid working available (min 3 days in office)

FIFTH SEASON is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment.

FIFTH SEASON