Lead, Finance Data, System Close & Research

Job Description

The Lead, Master Data, System Close, & Research is responsible for:
• Planning, coordinating, and executing the department's master data maintenance process.
• Executing the department's month-end system close cycle.
• Managing various complex data and statement research items as the primary contact for the department's research capability. This role provides enhanced data analysis across FCRA by identifying and resolving data exceptions and miscoding, correcting data, and working with the technology support team to implement solutions.

This position requires the ability to multi-task across several systems, identify process and system improvements for the master data and month-end close processes, execute testing of system enhancements, and communicate with Corporate Accounting, Business Units, and Technology regarding master data, system close, and research activities and projects.

Job Responsibilities:

Master Data Maintenance Process
• Coordinate and execute FCRA's master data maintenance process.
• Complete all master data activities associated with the month-end close cycle, including ongoing maintenance of all Sylvester system hierarchies and filters.
• Prepare master data-related policies and guidelines.
• Identify process and control improvements for the master data (core Sylvester hierarchies and interface filters).
• Test Sylvester system enhancements, including new hierarchy changes to accommodate automation efforts in the FCRA reporting process.
• Communicate with Corporate Accounting, Business Units, and EFS on by-title master data changes.
• Work directly with 3rd party system support vendors to ensure transactional and master data feeds are functioning properly.

Month-End System Close Cycle
• Execute the FCRA data month-end system close cycle, identifying and escalating close-related issues.
• Communicate with various stakeholders involved in the close (e.g., Sylvester system support, SAP support, AIRS system support, EFS, Turner, TV Productions, and other Business Units).
• Execute close activities such as interface validations, manual upload validations and processing, BU balance confirmations, and data staging.
• Prepare procedures related to the Month-End Close process, as well as required month-end close documentation for cross-training purposes.
• Partner with technology support to troubleshoot interface and line-of-business system, month-end close issues.
• Participate in cross-functional technical support troubleshooting sessions to facilitate rapid resolution of time-sensitive system issues.
• Drive critical failure, root-cause analysis efforts to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.

Data Research and Analytics
• Build data research and analytic capability within DDM.
• Serve as the primary contact for DDM's Research capability, using specialized tools and analytics to find solutions.
• Report metrics and use analytical techniques to identify root causes of issues and address them on an ongoing basis.
• Document the outcome of the research for future reference and knowledge management.

Data Analytics and Improvement
• Perform data analytics and analysis to further improve data management within DDM, including trend analysis, exception reporting, and BU reconciliation efforts.
• Conduct detailed data research and data cleanup activities.
• Innovate to further automate the Month-End Close and Master Data processes.
• Identify, initiate, and document improvements to controls, procedures, policies, and system enhancements to the Sylvester system.
• Implement changes through planning, preparing, and executing all user acceptance testing activities (writing test plans, user requirements, use cases, test scripts, and executing test scripts, identifying, and documenting defects).

Job Qualification Standards:
• Work Experience:
• 3 - 5 years of previous experience in accounting, audit, project management, IT, or financial-related roles required.
• Effective project management.
• Data analysis or data management experience strongly preferred.
• Experience with system implementations and user acceptance testing (UAT) is strongly preferred.
• Experience in a large corporate environment and working in a matrix organization.
• Entertainment industry experience is strongly preferred.
• Education, Professional Training, Technical Training, or Certification:
• Bachelor's degree required with a major in Business, Accounting, Finance, or Computer Science.
• Consulting and/or Professional Services experience preferred.
• CPA or MBA preferred.
• Knowledge/Skills:
• Strong knowledge of and experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) required.
• SAP experience required.
• Strong knowledge of participations and entertainment industry finance required.
• Good understanding of the multidimensional aspects of participant deals, including the ability to read and understand agreements.
• Competency in working with multiple systems and applications, with an aptitude for quickly learning new technologies and information systems.
• Good verbal and written communication skills; must be an effective presenter.
• Very strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong planning, organizational, and time management skills; ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Excellent ability to interact professionally with all levels of personnel and management.
• Expert proficiency in Microsoft Windows environment, including Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, and Word. Experience with SQL, SharePoint, MS Projects, and MS Access is a plus.
• Other Requirements:
• Adaptability to learn new technologies.
• Ability to understand and communicate with operational, financial, and IT personnel.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks effectively and efficiently, with flexibility to changing priorities.
• A team player with high-level interpersonal skills and a customer-focus mindset.
• Detail-oriented.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• A quick learner who takes initiatives and is results-oriented.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and meet deadlines.

Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our society and the world around us. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, union status, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, disability or any other category protected by law.

If you're a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-gwq95j-18-219-255-63-42 in your application.