VP Production Finance

Company Description
Universal Studio Group (USG) is the umbrella brand that houses NBCUniversal's three powerhouse television studios: Universal Television, Universal Global Television and Universal Television Alternative Studio. Collectively, the three premium studio brands produce over 3,000 hours of programming currently airing or streaming around the globe and own one of the largest libraries in the world with over 130,000 episodes of television. Led by Pearlena Igbokwe, Chairman of Television Studios, NBC Entertainment & Peacock Scripted, USG collaborates with some of the industry's most visionary storytellers to champion a diverse slate of ambitious, creative and passionate projects. Current hits include Dick Wolf's "Law & Order," "One Chicago" and "FBI"-branded series, Emmy® Award-winning "Hacks," "A Man on the Inside," "Ted," "The Day of the Jackal," "All Her Fault" and "The Americas." USG is a division of NBCUniversal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.
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Job Description
The Vice President, Production Finance will lead Production Finance & Accounting for a portfolio of productions within Universal Global Television, supporting a diverse slate of scripted and non-scripted series. This role is responsible for driving operational excellence across the full financial lifecycle, from development and greenlight through delivery.
Reporting to the SVP, Production Finance, the VP will oversee freelance Production Finance Controllers across multiple international productions, and will serve as a key strategic partner to cross-functional stakeholders including Creative, Production, Business & Legal Affairs, and Corporate Finance.
The role requires strong leadership, sound judgment, and the ability to influence decision-making in a fast-paced, global production environment. The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in production accounting along with experience operating within a corporate structure. They will ensure best-in-class financial practices, compliance with corporate policies, and disciplined cost management across productions.
As part of a globally distributed organization, with headquarters in Los Angeles and production in London, the U.S., and multiple other international locations (including Hungary, Australia, Spain, Canada, and Norway), this role requires exceptional communication and collaboration skills. The VP will partner closely with U.S.-based finance teams, particularly in Los Angeles, as well as regional production teams worldwide, navigating cultural and operational nuances effectively.
Occasional travel may be required to local and international offices.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Leadership
• Strengthen strategic partnerships across Universal Studio Group to support and deliver on Production Slate objectives.
• Represent Production Finance leadership in senior forums, including deputizing for the SVP in leadership and Greenlight meetings.
• Maintain strong alignment and communication with U.S. based Production Finance and Production teams.
• Lead and manage freelance Production Finance Controllers, ensuring consistent application of financial standards and strong performance.
• Build and develop a high-quality pipeline of freelance Production Accounting talent aligned with NBCU practices.
Production Finance Strategy & Performance
• Develop and evaluate production finance plans, including multi-episode budgets, schedules, and cashflow models; provide recommendations to Greenlight Committees.
• Review and challenge production budgets and assumptions using benchmarks and internal comparables to assess risks and opportunities.
• Advise on tax credit strategies and implications, incorporating insights into Greenlight recommendations.
• Oversee financial performance of productions, including investments, revenues, cashflows, and loan activity, ensuring alignment with approved parameters.
• Monitor tax credit recoveries and revenue realization in coordination with auditors.
• Partner with NBCUniversal Treasury to manage foreign exchange exposure and execute FX strategies across international productions.
• Oversee and enhance Production Finance systems (budgeting, cashflow, payroll, PO, and accounting), ensuring alignment with corporate frameworks.
Operations, Cost Control & Execution
• Govern production cost controls, including oversight of contingency usage, breakage, and overages; review cost reports and escalate material issues to senior leadership in London and Los Angeles.
• Provide finance support to the Formats team, including cost tracking, reporting, and analysis for format-based productions.
• Maintain relationships with guilds and payroll providers across the UK and U.S., ensuring compliant and efficient payroll operations.
• Support monthly, quarterly, and year-end financial close processes in accordance with international accounting standards and NBCU requirements.
• Ensure robust financial governance and controls, including oversight of approval matrices, banking authorities, and system access in compliance with internal policies.
• Establish and drive best-in-class financial practices, policies, and procedures, delivering training and guidance across the production lifecycle.
Responsibilities are not limited to the above description and may be modified at any time by the Company.
Qualifications
SKILLS / QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
Successful candidates should be able to demonstrate:
• Extensive international Production Controller experience at both production and executive levels across major broadcasters and SVOD platforms; US production exposure preferred.
• Hands-on experience across diverse TV genres including international multi-episodic drama, comedy, light entertainment, and reality programming, and knowledge of US-style amortization and pattern budgets.
• Strong expertise in US and UK guild payrolls (e.g., SAG, DGA, WGA, Equity) and production finance systems (including Eclipse, PSL+, and Movie Magic).
• Proven ability to operate as a strategic financial partner within large, multinational studio environments, bringing commercial acumen and a focus on value optimization.
• Highly detail-oriented and methodical, with the ability to manage multiple productions concurrently, assess risks and resourcing needs, and provide clear recommendations.
• Agile and solutions-focused, with a track record of responding quickly and pragmatically to urgent issues and stakeholder demands.
• Proactive, adaptable, and innovative, with a continuous improvement mindset in evolving production and business environments.
• Strong executive-level communication skills, with the ability to influence and engage stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
• High integrity, intellectual curiosity, and resourcefulness, with a willingness to take on new challenges in fast-paced, complex settings.
Additional Information
As part of our selection process, external candidates may be required to attend an in-person interview with an NBCUniversal employee at one of our locations prior to a hiring decision. NBCUniversal's policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require support throughout the application and/or recruitment process as a result of your disability, you have the right to request a reasonable accommodation. You can submit your request to [email protected].