VP Production Finance

Universal Global Television (UGT), a division of Universal Studio Group, partners with visionary storytellers across the globe to deliver bold, distinctive shows with universal resonance. Led by President Beatrice Springborn, UGT’s portfolio brings together award-winning production companies Carnival Films, Heyday Television, and Working Title Television alongside leading creators including Seth MacFarlane, Patrick Macmanus, Nick Antosca and Rachel Shukert.

Headquartered in London and Los Angeles, the studio currently produces 27 series across 14 platforms, including local linear powerhouses such as BBC (UK), ABC (Australia), CBC (Canada) and streamers Peacock, Netflix, Apple and Binge (Australia). Its slate spans genres and territories, with titles including 'The Day of the Jackal,' ‘Downton Abbey,’ 'All Her Fault,' 'Cape Fear,' 'Ted,' ‘The Five-Star Weekend,’ and ‘The ‘Burbs.’ UGT titles have broken streaming records globally, with series regularly topping charts across the US, UK, and more than 50 other countries. Home to ground-breaking and intentional storytelling, UGT's slate has earned recognition from the Peabody Awards, Emmy Awards, BAFTAs and Golden Globes.

UGT’s internal scripted unit develops and produces original programming and has a proven track record of co-producing, financing, and partnering with independent producers to bring ambitious projects to screen. Partnerships include "One Day" with Drama Republic, "The Undeclared War" with Playground Entertainment, and forthcoming "The Dream Lands" with Sister Pictures. UGT also invests in leading creative talent through its minority stake and first-look distribution deal with Canada's Lark Productions ("Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent," "Allegiance”).

At Universal Global Television, we are focused on our commitment to a more ambitious and inclusive future. Our company values play a huge part in this commitment and the culture of our company.

We’re Ambitious For our Future, We’re In This Together, We’re Actively Inclusive.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer, and we’ll do everything we can to support you during your application. If you need us to make any adjustments to our recruitment process, speak to our recruitment team who will be happy to support you. 

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 View email address on jobs.smartrecruiters.com.