Vice President Finance and Controller

Kaufman Search Group; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kaufman Search Group is seeking a Vice President, Finance/Controller for the Tennis Channel in Santa Monica. This senior finance leader will oversee accounting functions and lead financial operations including budgeting and compliance. Candidates should have 12+ years in finance/accounting with a CPA and experience in the media/sports sector. This role requires strong leadership, GAAP knowledge, and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment. Partnership with corporate teams and oversight for new business initiatives will also be key.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities.
• Strong knowledge and practical application of U.S. GAAP.
• Experience in sports, media, or entertainment strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all accounting functions including General Ledger and Payroll.
• Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes.
• Serve as the primary finance liaison with Corporate Accounting and Tax.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

GAAP compliance

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field

CPA

Job description

Our client of many years, Tennis Channel, the premier media hub for the global tennis and pickleball communities, has retained us to identify a Vice President, Finance/Controller. This senior finance leader will work from their Santa Monica office and report directly to the COO/CFO.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Operations & Reporting

• Oversee all accounting functions, including General Ledger, Accounts Payable, Payroll, and Production Accounting.
• Lead a fast, accurate month‑end close and ensure timely submission of financial results and supporting schedules.
• Prepare and review GAAP‑compliant financial statements and management reports.
• Maintain strong internal controls, ensuring audit readiness and compliance with company policies.

Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

• Lead the annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and long‑range planning processes.
• Analyze financial performance, identify key variances, and provide actionable insights to leadership.
• Support preparation of executive‑level operating reviews and financial presentations.

Production Finance

• Oversee production finance for live sports, studio programming, and original content.
• Partner with Production and Programming teams on budgeting, cost tracking, and forecasting.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, union agreements, and production finance best practices.

New Business Initiatives

• Provide financial oversight and support for new business initiatives, including new content offerings, distribution opportunities, partnerships, and strategic investments.
• Develop business plans, financial models, and pro formas to evaluate growth opportunities.
• Support greenlight decisions and ongoing financial tracking for new initiatives.

Corporate & Shared Services Partnership

• Serve as the primary finance liaison with Corporate Accounting, Tax, and Shared Services teams.
• Support federal, state, local, and other required tax filings through coordination with Corporate Tax.
• Ensure adherence to corporate reporting standards, timelines, and controls.
• Lead and develop teams across Accounting, FP&A, Production Finance, and New Business support.
• Foster a collaborative, hands‑on, high‑accountability finance organization.
• Drive continuous improvement in financial processes, reporting, and systems.

Special Projects

• Support system implementations, process improvements, M&A integrations, and other special projects assigned.

Qualifications

• CPA required
• Bachelor's degree in accounting or related field (advanced degree preferred)
• 12+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including leadership responsibilities
• Strong knowledge and practical application of U.S. GAAP
• Experience in sports, media, or entertainment strongly preferred
• Proven ability to operate in a fast‑paced, deadline‑driven, production environment
• Experience supporting new business initiatives or growth investments, diligence or IPO experience helpful
• Strong communication skills and ability to partner with operational and corporate stakeholders
• Hands‑on leadership style with attention to both detail and outcomes