Job Posting Title:
Manager, Budget Planning & Operations
Req ID:
10160615
Job Description:
The Manager, Budget Planning & Operations plays a pivotal role in driving budget planning, operational excellence, and financial stewardship across the entire Production Services & Operations team, working across Production Services, Content Operations, Engineering, and Editorial Operations.
The role partners directly with senior leadership and cross-functional teams to translate business priorities into financial plans, operational roadmaps, executive reporting, and cross-functional execution. The role also leads financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost management, investment tracking, budget controls, and alignment with Disney enterprise financial strategy through partnership with AI vendors, third-party companies, Production & Innovation teams, the Office of Technology Enablement, and Finance COEs.
Additionally, the role manages and develops a team responsible for production services operations, project management, financial coordination, and cross-functional execution.
Responsibilities
- Lead the development and execution of operational and financial strategies across multiple departments, ensuring alignment with broader business goals.
- Oversee OpEx and CapEx budget planning, forecasting, and performance tracking, leveraging data-driven insights to inform decisions.
- Lead financial governance for AI-related initiatives across National Geographic, including vendor cost modeling, budget tracking, funding recommendations, usage reporting, stakeholder coordination, and alignment with Disney enterprise AI and finance policies.
- Provide leadership, coaching, prioritization, and performance management for direct reports, ensuring team output supports department goals and executive priorities.
- Serves as a budget advisor to the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations, providing financial insights, operational recommendations, and scenario analysis to support executive decision-making.
- Build and maintain advanced financial models and dashboards to support scenario planning, cost analysis, and performance reporting.
- Leverage data visualization techniques and communication skills to present complex analytical findings in clear business terms that facilitate execution by business partners and senior executives.
- Assess needs, define, and drive large-scale analytical and operational projects to add incremental value, establish new business practices, and improve budget precision.
- Collaborate with cross-functional partners to support budget initiatives and operational continuity.
- Partner with the Senior Vice President, Production Services & Operations to drive the execution of priorities through coordination, stakeholder alignment, and detailed project management.
- Lead strategy meetings, including setting agendas, managing follow-ups, and ensuring alignment across stakeholders.
- Develop policies, procedures, and training sessions in partnership with senior leadership to meet evolving departmental needs.
- Act as a primary point of contact for resolving complex operational or financial issues, ensuring timely solutions and seamless communication across internal and external stakeholders.
- Evaluate and optimize current business processes, identifying areas for continuous improvement to drive operational efficiency across production and editorial operations.
- Oversee vendor financial operations, including vendor onboarding, purchase order governance, invoice escalation, cost controls, and process compliance across production services and operations.
- Champion continuous improvement by identifying and implementing innovative solutions to operational challenges.
- Represent Planning & Operations in executive forums and cross-departmental meetings, ensuring visibility and alignment of priorities.
Required Qualifications
- At least seven years of experience in a senior financial planning, operations management, or budget planning role, preferably in media, entertainment, or production environments.
- Bachelor’s Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Operations, related field, or equivalent experience.
- Experience advising senior executives or department heads on financial and operational strategy.
- Experience managing complex budgets across multiple departments, cost centers, or business functions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with experience in financial modeling and data visualization.
- Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organization.
- Expertise in financial systems.
- Exceptional knowledge of Excel.
- Demonstrated ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with shifting priorities.
- Ability to maintain high level of professionalism and confidentiality.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in post-production, editorial operations, or engineering workflows.
- Familiarity with Disney’s operational standards and financial practices.
- Personnel management experience and ability to mentor junior team members.
- Master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) or equivalent advanced degree strongly preferred
The hiring range for this position in Washington, D.C. is $95,500.00 to $128,000.00 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
Job Posting Segment:
National Geographic
Job Posting Primary Business:
National Geographic (DET)
Primary Job Posting Category:
Business Operations (General)
Employment Type:
Full time
Primary City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Washington, DC, USA
Alternate City, State, Region, Postal Code:
Date Posted:
2026-09-17