Director FP&A Ultimates and Costing

Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.

Who We Are…

When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…

From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.

Your New Role…

As the leader of the Ultimates & Costing COE FP&A team, this position is responsible for managing the consolidation and by-title reporting process as well as the ultimates process and film cost accounting process for Warner Bros. and Max titles according to Film Accounting Standards ASC 926 for the planning cycles (Budget, Forecast, Monthly Update).

The role will onboard and stabilize the new Ultimates & Costing COE FPA team. The role will be responsible for execution of all Ultimates & Costing COE planning functions within the scope of responsibilities. 

Overall responsibility for Ultimates and Film Cost Accounting planning processes, including:

• Manage Ultimates process for products produced or acquired by Warner Bros. and Max including review and analysis and communication with Business Units for updates
• Perform film cost accounting calculations for all planning cycles
• Analyze impact of ultimate changes on quarterly and annual gross profit results
• Review and analyze the ultimate submissions for all cycles (budget, forecast and actuals) from the multiple business units in preparation for costing of product
• Perform Preliminary costing analysis to determine impact on changes for Ultimates
• Determines appropriate film cost calculation during the planning cycles to ensure that appropriate amortization, participation and residual expense is computed
• Reviews, prepares and/or approves planning journal entries for any adjustments needed to Ultimates costing
• Determines MPM attributes and ensures they are updated/maintained in SAP
• Oversees the preparation of specific By-Title Ultimate Profit & Loss statements as necessary and presents to management as well as the various business units
• Determines and communicates procedures to be followed by Business Units that provide Ultimate data
• Supervises the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual performance reporting to department as well as Senior Management personnel
  
  

Overall Planning Cycle Responsibility, Including

• Review and analyze consolidated and divisional by-title gross profit reports for business unit product lines
• Manage key stakeholder engagement with Sr. Management in WB Studios, Networks, HBO and Max
• Manage assumptions and instructions for all product across all planning cycles
• Respond to inquiries from business unit finance personnel as well as management from WB Studios, Networks, HBO and Max
• Manage the product cost schedules submitted by the multiple business units
• Determine the amount of valuation adjustment required for each title that has a negative net realizability value based on GAAP policies
• Communicate the weekly slate summary reporting changes for updating Ultimates and financials
• Work with Controllership on the quarterly impairment analysis
  
  

Provide Business Unit Analysis And Business Decision Support, Including

• Assist the WB Studio business units request to provide pro-forma analysis, and support strategic decisions
• Partner with DTC business unit assist in review and build estimates of by-title content revenues and downstream expenses, including performing deal, slate and greenlight/ROI sensitivities and analyses
• Maintain and evaluate ultimate title ROI/profitability models to assist the DTC business for strategic decisions
  
  

Team Development, Coaching, And Process Improvement

• Ensure the ongoing development of team members including professional and people skills, knowledge of the business, and team engagement
• Partner with stakeholders for the execution of key initiatives including:
• Global process alignment
• Continuous improvement
• Implementation of planning and reporting best practices
• Effective change management
• Other strategic business initiatives
• Ensure compliance with SOX documentation requirements
• Assist in preparation of ad-hoc analysis as requested
  
  

Your Role Accountabilities…

• Strong analytical and logic skills including ability to grasp the “big picture” while also maintaining strong detail orientations
• Advanced proficiency in Excel required (creating spreadsheets, pivot tables, v-lookups, macros). SAP BW/BPS experience preferred
• Thorough knowledge of accounting principles and practices (GAAP) and financial statements Effective communicator at all levels of the organization with the ability to influence others and negotiate outcomes. Strong written, oral and presentation skills required (English).
• Proven ability to develop and maintain strong relationships across the organization. Strong problem resolution skills, and a high degree of integrity, tact and diplomacy.
  
  

Qualifications & Experience…

• Minimum 10+ years’ related professional experience, with at least 8 years’ in a management position
• Previous experience in entertainment industry / public accounting preferred
• BA/BS degree in Accounting/Finance/Business or related field required
  
  

How We Get Things Done…

This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.

Championing Inclusion at WBD

Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, union status, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.