Director, Finance & Planning

The Director, Finance & Planning will work within the Finance and Accounting functions at Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver. The Director will work closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios Burbank Finance, Studio Controllership, Studio Segment Finance, and other executive stakeholders across The Walt Disney Company.

This position plays a key leadership role within Walt Disney Animation Studios Vancouver and will partner with the Head of Studio and the department heads within the studio.

Hybrid and Remote opportunities for our Vancouver Studio are specific to remote work within the province of British Columbia.

Key Areas of Focus

• Establish key processes and procedures within the Vancouver finance department

• Review and consolidate the studio’s financial statements, budgets, forecasts, and accounting closes/submissions

• Oversee Provincial and Federal Production Services Tax Credit activity including but not limited to accreditation, qualification, application, audit and any due diligence required

• Act as the primary point person for the Studio with outside accounting firm and be responsible for the annual tax returns and financial statement compilations

• Drive and produce the Studio’s annual operating budget and long-range strategic plan 

• Identify key business drivers and produce analyses that support informed decision-making

• Direct all production finance functions including slate analysis, development spend, and production budgeting (Project EFCs, Plan Presentations & Ad-hoc analyses)

• Partner with Production to ensure that show plans and workforce planning decisions are properly reflected in studio budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections

• Assess the financial systems, processes, and reporting to elevate department’s ability to gather, analyze, and visualize data

• Consolidate and analyze Studio production, technology and overhead costs and tracking cost savings initiatives 

• Drive the Studio’s approval process for operating, capital, and headcount investments

• Advise on matters associated with production finance and cost accounting for all types of content

• Oversee the forecasting of cash needs across Production, Technology and Overhead – work closely with Walt Disney Animation Studios Burbank Finance to secure timely funding

Primary Responsibilities

• Hire, train, lead, develop and motivate a team of finance professionals 

• Partner with Studio executive leaders to identify and drive key business initiatives

• Partner with Technology and other business units' development of and maintenance of internal financial system tools to ensure accuracy

• Lead annual operating plan (AOP) development and execution, including final submission to Walt Disney Animation Studios Burbank Studio

• Partner with external accounting firm to lead year end close processes, produce and file financial statements 

• Take the lead from the Head of Studio to curate and build presentations and key analyses to illustrate financial performance target recommendations for the Studio and to identify business risks and opportunities

• Consolidate and analyze Studio overhead costs and track cost savings initiatives and present findings to senior studio management

• Partner with Walt Disney Animation Studios Burbank Finance to consolidate, analyze and create presentations for the AOP and the 5YP

• Lead the consolidation and review of Vancouver studio’s annual capital investment requests, partner with operators to understand the business justification and help prepare required financial analyses to secure necessary approvals

• Work collaboratively with functional partners on studio planning scenarios and analyses that align with financial objectives and resource planning

• Help stakeholders identify areas of contribution, advise on execution plan and provide tracking and context to aid in achieving goals

• Provide content cost and delivery tracking and reporting for studio leadership team

• Perform ad hoc projects at request of studio senior management

Requirements

• Gracious and effective leader who inspires and motivates

• Provides timely and appropriate feedback while prioritizing team’s development

• 10+ years of experience

• Bachelor’s degree required (emphasis in Accounting and/or Finance preferred)

• Graduate degree in business or finance, preferred

• Experience with Provincial and Federal Production Services Tax Credits preferred 

• Strong analytical skills and the ability to identify and resolve issues

• Proven track record at developing and managing teams in a fast-paced, and inclusive environment

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to summarize ideas and issues, and succinctly present to senior leadership

• Strong attention to detail without losing sight of broader objectives

• Ability to collaborate with multiple teams to achieve reporting objectives

• Excellent organizational skills and proven track record to meet deadlines

• SAP and Cognos TM1 experience is a plus