Junior Production Finance Manager

DEPARTMENT DESCRIPTION

Commercial Affairs is responsible for the financial, legal and business aspects of programme making and is tasked with negotiating all contractual, financial and other deal terms between Channel 4 and programme suppliers, in particular independent companies who make programmes on Channel 4’s behalf.  

The commissioning teams are supported by Production Finance and Business Affairs who work with Commissioning Editors to agree the editorial, financial and contractual details of each project, and to manage the business issues arising.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Negotiating and concluding the financial deals for assigned commissions, licences, pre-purchases, developments referring to the genre lead Production Finance Manager (PFM) for advice and guidance as required
• Close liaison with the relevant colleagues in Commissioning, Business Affairs, Finance and other relevant departments to ensure that the commissioning process is followed in a timely fashion
• Managing negotiations and business relationships with producers and other third parties as required
• Ensuring regional productions are compliant with the Ofcom Regional Guidance
• Working to given order list for commissions and developments (if required) ensuring the relevant commissioning teams and PFM fully understand the financial position for the relevant genre
• Review and approve editorial specifications for assigned productions
• Paperwork preparation and submission of recommended commercial deal to internal finance committees for formal approval
• Responsibility for submission of accurate month end cash and creditor information for assigned productions within given deadlines in line with the production finance process
• Ensuring all financial and production aspects of the deals are up to date and system information is accurate
• Approve invoices for payment when relevant milestones achieved
• Reviewing spend to date reports as required
• Ensure productions have sufficient level of insurance cover where required
• Undertaking ad hoc work as required by the role which may be requested from time to time
• Ensuring excellent communication is maintained with other members of the Production Finance team
• Travel to other Channel 4 office locations if required
• Keeping up to date with relevant industry developments.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Experience of working in television or film production or broadcast ideally within a Production Management team as a Senior Production Coordinator /Junior Production Manager or equivalent role
• Detailed knowledge of production ideally across a variety of genres.
• Ability to demonstrate an understanding of production budgets and schedules in relation to the editorial requirements
• Excellent negotiation skills
• Ability to assimilate information quickly and resolve issues but also able to assess when these should be discussed further with relevant senior team members or stakeholders
• Highly diligent, organised and self-motivated
• Ability to prioritise and manage a high-volume workload and deliver under pressure
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong team player able to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels
• Ability to maintain good relationships with suppliers
• Demonstrable financial skills and accuracy dealing with financial data
• A knowledge of TV production agreements and underlying rights, including an understanding of the Channel 4 terms of trade.