Director, Production Finance

FIFTH SEASON; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

FIFTH SEASON is seeking an experienced Production Finance professional to lead budgeting, forecasting, and cost reporting across development and production for premium films, series, and specials. You will manage budgets, greenlight processes, and show-level reporting while coordinating with FP&A and Business Affairs.

The ideal candidate has 5–8+ years in production finance, strong analytical skills, and experience with tax credits and entity setups.

Qualifications

• 5-8+ years Production Finance experience with a successful track record.

Responsibilities

• Support development through show productionFinance from development through long-form specials.
• Forecast, actualize budgets, and provide final cost reporting with vetted budgets.
• Oversee production accountants, enforce policies, approve checks, and resolve issues.
• Manage show budget greenlight process and summarize greenlights for signatures.
• Coordinate cash flow and funding for shows; track department expenditures.
• Collaborate with FP&A to communicate budget changes in a timely manner.
• Proactively manage freelancers’ workloads and ensure policy adherence.
• Handle union questions and issues and liaise with Business Affairs.
• Track contracts and payments, and manage day-to-day show processes.
• Ensure timely show-level cost reporting and cost-report analysis.
• Oversee tax incentive initiatives and entity setups.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Under pressure

Adaptability

Industry experience

Tools

Movie Magic Budgeting

PSL

Cast and Crew

Smart Accounting

Excel

Job description

FIFTH SEASON is an entertainment industry leader specializing in the development, production, financing, and distribution of premium films, television series, and documentaries. Known for its artist-first approach, the company has produced critically acclaimed films such as Book Club , The Lost Daughter , Nonnas, and Friendship, as well as award-winning series like Severance, His & Hers, Nine Perfect Strangers, Omnivore , and Tokyo Vice . FIFTH SEASON operates with a full-service worldwide distribution infrastructure and boasts a vast network of production hubs across North America, Europe, and Asia. In addition to its successful slate of original productions, FIFTH SEASON’s global distribution arm handles a robust third-party library of hundreds of titles, including hit series such as Killing Eve, Normal People, The Morning Show , and The Night Manager . The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with offices worldwide. Shareholders include CJ ENM, Toho, and Endeavor.

Our Culture:

A studio with a soul, FIFTH SEASON is proud to be an anti-racist and feminist company, focused on leaving the entertainment business better than we found it. We empower freedom and ownership, delivering the expertise of a big studio with the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of a start-up.

We offer competitive compensation, benefits, and opportunities for professional growth in a dynamic and exciting industry. The ideal candidate is driven and hungry to learn and wants to be in the trenches of the entertainment industry.

Position Summary:

At FIFTH SEASON we're on a mission to change the world through groundbreaking entertainment. We're a team of superstars, passionate about creating innovative and compelling content that captivates audiences around the globe.

Job Responsibilities

• Support a wide variety of productions from development,seriesand long formvarietyspecials.
• Work closely with both staff and freelance line producers on forecasting, actualizingbudgetsand final cost reporting. Ensure proper vetting of budgets prior tolock.
• Oversee Production Accountants, including explaining and enforcing policies, approving checks, andassistingwith problem resolution as needed.
• Manage show budget greenlight process. Ensure accuracy of information on greenlights, preparegreenlightsummary page, and route for signature approvals.
• Manage show cash flow and funding process.
• Partner with FP&A team to communicate any changes to show budgets ona timelybasis
• Pro-activemanagement of freelancer workloads. Ensure that company policies are followed at the show level.
• Handleunion questions and issues.
• Work closely with Business Affairs to track above the line and below the lineshowcontracts and payments. Address contractual issues and questions.
• Manageday-to-dayshowprocessesincluding setting up new shows and banking arrangements.
• Ensureaccurateandtimelyshow level reporting by overseeing and analyzing cost reports.
• ManageTax Incentive initiativesand entity set ups.
• Track and approve department expenditures.Review and track project cash forecasts as needed.
• Problemsolveas challenges and concerns arise.
• Assistwith general production and finance duties as needed.

Requirements

• Excellent analytical and organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Sound judgment and ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Ability tooperatesuccessfully in a dynamic environment.
• In-depth knowledge of entertainment industry production, systems,softwareand process.

(including Movie Magic Budgeting, PSL, Cast and Crew,Smart Accounting, Excel,etc.)

• Experience withtax creditsandentity set ups.
• Experience with union shows and guidelines in a variety of formats.
• Show level experience beneficial but not necessary.
• 5-8+ years Production Finance experience with a successfultrack record.Proven project management skills