Manager, Budget Planning & Operations

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TheManager, Budget Planning & Operations plays a pivotal role in driving budget planning, operational excellence, and financial stewardship across the entire Production Services & Operations team, working across Production Services, Content Operations, Engineering, and Editorial Operations.

The role partners directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business priorities into financial plans, operational roadmaps, executive reporting, and cross-functional execution. The role also leads financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost management, investment tracking, budget controls, and alignment with Disney enterprise financial strategy through partnership with AI vendors, third-party companies, Production & Innovation teams, the Office of Technology Enablement, and Finance COEs.

Additionally, the role manages and develops a team responsible for production services operations, project management, financial coordination, and cross-functional execution.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of operational and financial strategies across multiple departments, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.

• Oversee OpEx and CapEx budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking, leveraging data-driven insights to inform decisions.

• Lead financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost modeling, budget tracking, funding recommendations, usage reporting, stakeholder coordination, and alignment with Disney enterprise AI and finance policies.

• Provide leadership, coaching, prioritization, and performance management for direct reports, ensuring team output supports department goals and executive priorities.

• Serves as a budget advisor to the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations, providing financial insights, operational recommendations, and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making.

• Build and maintain advanced financial models and dashboards to support scenario planning, cost analysis, and performance reporting.

• Leverage data visualization techniques and communication skills to present complex analytical findings in clear business terms that facilitate execution by business partners and senior executives.

• Assess needs, define, and drive large-scale analytical and operational projects to add incremental value, establish new business practices, and improve budget precision.

• Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support budget initiatives and operational continuity.

• Partner with the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations to drive the execution of priorities through coordination, stakeholder alignment, and detailed project management.

• Lead strategy meetings, including setting agendas, managing follow-ups, and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.

• Develop policies, procedures, and training sessions in partnership with senior leadership to meet evolving departmental needs.

• Act as a primary point of contact for resolving complex operational or financial issues, ensuring timely solutions and seamless communication across internal and external stakeholders.

• Evaluate and optimize current business processes, identifying areas for continuous improvement to drive operational efficiency across production and editorial operations.

• Oversee vendor financial operations, including vendor onboarding, purchase order governance, invoice escalation, cost controls, and process compliance across production services and operations.

• Champion continuous improvement by identifying and implementing innovative solutions to operational challenges.

• Represent Planning & Operations in executive forums and cross-departmental meetings, ensuring visibility and alignment of priorities.

Required Qualifications:

• At least seven years of experience in a senior financial planning, operations management, or budget planning role, preferably in media, entertainment, or production environments.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Operations, related field, or equivalent experience.

• Experience advising senior executives or department heads on financial and operational strategy.

• Experience managing complex budgets across multiple departments, cost centers, or business functions.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in financial modeling and data visualization.

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.

• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.

• Expertise in financial systems.

• Exceptional knowledge of Excel.

• Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.

• Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in post-production, editorial operations, or engineering workflows.

• Familiarity with Disney’s operational standards and financial practices.

• Personnel management experience and ability to mentor junior team members.

• Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred

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