The Manager, 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
The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $95,500.00 to $128,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job ID: 10160615
Location: Washington,DC
Job Posting Company: National Geographic
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