Finance Manager

Location

This role is based in Hammersmith, London 4 days per week

Job Title

Finance Manager

Line of Business

Disney Destinations International (DDI)

Contract

Permanent

Reports To

Senior Finance Manager

Direct Reports

2

Be you, be here, be part of the story!

At The Walt Disney Company, magic is more than just a word; it's a way of life. For a century, we've been inspiring imaginations, celebrating diversity, and bringing families together through our beloved stories, characters, and experiences. From our iconic theme parks and resorts to our groundbreaking films, television shows, interactive media and products, we're dedicated to creating magic that knows no bounds.

We are on the lookout for an enthusiastic Finance individual, ideally from a travel background, to make a meaningful impact and be part of a dynamic team. Join us in shaping the magic behind the scenes!

Overall Purpose of the Role

To partner with the business leads to achieve the attendance, room night and revenue goals for Walt Disney World (WDW) and Disney Cruise Line (DCL) across EMEA and Disneyland Paris (DLP) UK & IE. Support the development of the DDI UK finance team enabling them to provide commercial financial expertise to key stakeholders. Deliver financial support to aid the operation of the UK marketing and sales portfolio teams (WDW, DLP & DCL), to support planning and delivery of activity to achieve AOP volume and revenue goals.

Areas of Responsibility

• Prepare and deliver timely management information, ad-hoc analysis and reports to highlight business implications to support the presentation of the business financial picture to the UK leadership team
• Manage integrated planning, tracking and reporting of marketing and sales budgets to aid budget holders with management of funds
• Measure and evaluate marketing and sales activities through regular budget file reviews with budget owners for WDW and DCL (for UK and O-EMEA) and oversee budget reviews for DLP
• Closely monitor quarterly budget shifts, consolidate activities and inform leadership
• Manage the forecasting and planning of all sales and marketing budgets across all brands
• Directly support with building the financial AOPs (Annual Operating plans) for marketing and sales for all brands
• Manage the monthly/quarterly close process and work closely with support functions in shared accounting services and UK controllership
• Coordinate with the EMEA AP support team to manage the AP process for vendors
• Ensure tight cost management and control across the business to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of spend
• Coordinate cost reduction requests, providing support and challenge to budget holders to deliver effective and efficient results
• Have control of UK cost centres and WBS Management
• Liaise with corporate tax and legal on submission of the statutory tax incentive scheme
• Continuously review processes, procedures and systems within the finance function to ensure accuracy, consistency and effectiveness
• Liaise with finance partners in WDW, DCL and DLP head offices to ensure timely reporting to enable informed business decisions
• Serve as business thought partner to UK team to provide financial and commercial support
• Manage the DDI P-Card and CTA card
• Overcome the geographical separation to the brand head offices/finance heads through regular, frequent contact and travel when necessary designed to build effective working relationships

Areas of Accountability

• Accountable to Senior Finance Manager
• Accountable for effective partnership with the business leads to achieve the attendance, room night and revenue goals
• Accountable for delivering on agreed performance commitments
• Accountable for cultivating and maintaining productive relationships and collaborating across departments internally and externally
• Accountable for contributing to the success of the team

Experience and Professional Qualifications Required

• Qualified accountant (AAT, CIMA or ACCA)
• Financial and management accounting experience essential
• SAP experience desirable
• Large matrix organisation experience preferable
• Travel industry experience a great advantage
• Previous experience of analysing, forecasting, variance analysis and reporting

Skills Required

• Strong financial management skills
• Commercial awareness
• Strong planning and organisation skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Strong written and oral communication skills essential
• Computer literate
• Word, PowerPoint and Excel - Intermediate skills or above required
• Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office
• Excellent time management and organisation skills
• Drives results and is able to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Able to build and maintain relationships with people at all levels within the organisation
• Champions change where required
• Ability to deal with multi-cultural clients and peers
• Consummate analytical skills
• Ability to work on own initiative/self-motivated but also a team player
• Critical thinking skills and effective communication of issues/solutions
• Exhibit professional excellence at all times
• Effective presentation style

Additional Information

• Flexibility for occasional UK, European or international travel may be required
• Contribution to ad-hoc projects as the business requires
• Flexible hours may be required to meet business needs