Director, Global Licensing Finance

This position is responsible for the financial management and business development of the Consumer Products business, specifically by partnering and supporting the CP Sales teams and focusing on revenue forecast and analysis. This will include the development and ongoing enhancement of financial forecasting, planning, budgeting and long-range planning processes. It will also include responsibility for monthly and quarter-end reporting and variance analysis as well as business analytics & financial trending to support optimal deal processes and global licensing strategies.

The Finance Director will work closely with the wider CP Finance Team across locations around the world. The Director provides strategic and analytical guidance for the CP Commercialization team to drive revenue and OI growth. They will be responsible for enhancing the contribution and partnership of the finance function with the CP division, specifically UK, Australia, Israel markets, Toys, Publishing, CPG categories, and Franchise/Portfolio Management (e.g. Pre-school) with the support and management of a Finance Manager.

This role will report directly to the Sr. Director of Global CP Finance and work with a disparate partner group to improve analytical tools and enhance operational visibility of risks and opportunities and awareness of strengths and weaknesses in the business to support overall business performance.

What will you be doing?

• Bringing a collaborative and entrepreneurial hands-on approach to CP Finance
• Developing, fostering and building open communication and productive relationships with leadership, sales and finance
• Strategic partnership approach by using financial models to enhance business deal terms
• Analyze business performance, including licensing royalty revenue from various perspectives and dimensions such as brands and franchises, product categories, licensees, consumer demographics, distribution channels, and business models
• Formulate cohesive global annual 5-Year Plan, annual budget, and quarterly licensee forecast, working closely with the broader Finance, CP Business, Strategy and Insights teams
• Dive deeply into financial data, predict future financial trends, and proactively provide insights and financial advice to senior management
• Designing, communicating and carrying out policies & procedures
• Promoting a strong sense of urgency and appropriate level of support for deliverables
• Working in collaboration with the systems and operations teams to develop and enhance analytical tools and processes
• Support the Global VP in establishing and implementing Finance processes and a premier class Finance organization
• Ensure licensee projections are complete and accurate
• Liaise with Sales, Operations and central Finance teams to ensure maximum revenue is recognized
• Evaluate financial performance against desired outcomes
• Track risks and opportunities
• Inform, review and communicate allocations and monthly actuals
• Liaise with Global Finance teams

Planning:

• Perform and prepare annual budgeting and quarterly estimates in conjunction with Sales and external partners to support the Sales teams.
• Create monthly outlooks, quarterly estimates, and "real time" financial forecasts
• Prepare and present Long Range Strategic, Financial Plans and detailed budgets

Operational Support:

• Partner with sales teams to provide detailed revenue and deal reporting and analysis to support business decision making on all aspects of licensing and optimize deals
• Perform/present variance analysis and budget resolution (ad hoc, marketing, ROI)
• Creation, and ongoing enhancement, of all planning and analytical presentation decks for management purposes

What are we looking for?

• Further education qualification in Finance or similar is required
• Senior level finance experience
• CP industry experience is a plus
• Strong self-motivated team player. Able to think creatively and take action
• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple tasks simultaneously
• Relation and communication at all levels (Analyst to VP)
• Demonstrates Executive Presence
• Delivers Business Results
• Detail Oriented
• Mobilizes the Organization
• Challenges the Status Quo
• Champions Creativity and Innovation
• Ability to explain both the "big picture" and detailed views of financial management
• Coaches/teaches others on key financial and/or accounting concepts
• Client facing and sought out by others to answer questions as a problem solver
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and verbal, across all areas of the business
• Ability to solve problems and be inquisitive
• Organize and prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines
• Reviews and analyses financial indicators and reports areas of concern
• Performs operational, and/or financial statement analyses