Manager, Master Data Product Owner

A centralized Governance, Oversight and Adoption (GOA) team was established to ensure that SPE stays in line with the strategic direction set in our transformation projects. The goal of GOA is to make sure that SPE achieves the operational value expected from its investments.

This Manager position will be part of the RTR Governance & Oversight division of GOA and will report to the GOA RTR Governance & Oversight Executive-Director. The RTR Governance & Oversight team is responsible for ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of S4 RTR Master Data and compliance with RTR standards.

The Master Data Product Owner (MDPO) holds a global role and will serve as the go-to person for queries and guidance, as well as being the point of contact for projects and initiatives seeking assistance, validation, and significant involvement. The role, along with the entire GOA team, will focus on adhering to SPE's financial policies, systems, and processes. This involves identifying areas of non-compliance, devising remediation plans, and implementing them. A key aspect of the role will entail close collaboration with GFO and Cap Gemini teams to standardize processes and metrics. While GOA will collaborate with GFO, other cross-functional teams, and the business, decision-making authority rests with GOA and will be checked against the established guidelines and regulations. This collaboration will be conducted as a partnership with fairness, transparency, and accountability.

A primary duty of the MDPO will involve supporting the maintenance of master data in S4. They will act as the initial escalation point within the Supplier Maintenance work unit to create, alter, and restrict master data while ensuring its adherence to guidelines and policies. The MDPO will also be tasked with maintaining and updating the guidelines as necessary, in addition to serving as a subject matter expert in transformation projects as required or when they impact master data.

What the role entails:

• Ensure that new master data requests comply with established guidelines
• Collaborate with Product Owners on guideline exceptions
• Develop new guidelines with Product Owners for master data
• Lead the update of master data guidelines as necessary
• Conduct master data consolidation for included elements
• Explore best practices in master data for possible adoption by SPE
• Effectively communicate changes to relevant stakeholders and senior executives
• Drive post-system go-live process improvement initiatives
• Ensure compliance with SPE's master data management processes, controls, and policies
• Support Transformation programs globally, ensuring successful implementation of new processes and policies on a global scale
• Oversee the systems in scope to ensure their usage aligns with established rules prior to going live
• Monitor, enforce, and ensure adaptation to new System/Process standards
• Institutionalize and document standards and methods from completed projects
• Regularly audit master data additions and updates, confirming their completeness in line with best practices
• Propose improvements to department processes and workflows to enhance operational efficiency and accuracy
• Lead initiatives aimed at improving global processes and driving continuous enhancements focusing on user experience, process efficiencies, problem resolution, and solution feature and functionality updates
• Create, analyze, and share reports to enable management to track status
• Provide daily supervision of a global team comprised of internal resources and outsourced personnel
• Monitor pending requests and ensure their timely processing
• Conduct root cause analysis for complex issues in collaboration with project teams, GFO, and IT
• Collaborate with the GFO Team to establish and maintain strong, consistent best practices across all regions
• Work with IT to address any system process-related issues
• Engage with business partners to define business requirements for new functionalities
• Act as the initial support level for addressing concerns or discrepancies
• Proactively identify potential data integrity issues to mitigate risks related to downstream system consequences
• Effectively manage challenging internal and external relationships in a professional manner
• Contribute as part of the broader GOA team to provide global support

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree minimum requirement, MBA or higher education preferred
• Familiarity with the Record to Report and Budget and Planning processes
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications required
• Knowledge of Ariba and SAP a plus. Familiarity with S4 HANA an added advantage
• Prior experience in the entertainment sector is advantageous

Experience:

• Eight or more years of professional experience with a background in process enhancement, strategic project management, and involvement in business transformation programs
• Minimum of three years of accounting experience is necessary
• Preferred three years of supervisory experience
• Experience working in a Global corporate environment characterized by multicultural diversity
• Involvement in large-scale Finance and Accounting projects/programs

Knowledge:

• Understanding of best practices in Financial Operations processes, especially those pertinent to the Media & Entertainment industry
• Extensive experience in managing Financial Operations processes or other core finance, accounting, or strategic planning processes in a high-volume, complex environment
• Familiarity with US GAAP, IFRS, and regulatory requisites
• Solid grasp of month-end reporting processes and standards
• Experience collaborating with global stakeholders and end-users, requiring effective interpersonal skills

Skills:

• Detail-oriented with strong organizational abilities, capable of handling multiple tasks in time-sensitive scenarios
• Excellent analytical thinking and problem-solving capabilities
• Proficient in communicating complex information effectively to enhance understanding of large projects
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to interact with internal and external stakeholders
• Ability to consistently anticipate user needs through a deep comprehension of global and regional business operations and processes
• Capable of managing multiple activities in a fast-paced setting while delivering high-quality work on time
• Adept at analyzing large, complex business, workflow, and technology issues to support decision-making
• Ability to assess situations, consider alternatives, and choose the appropriate course of action effectively
• Understanding of the broader impacts of data changes and experience to make informed decisions
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team environment
• Promotes a positive work environment through constructive relationships with Senior Leadership, Managers, Employees, and the community
• Offers new ideas and suggests changes in a dynamic work setting
• Demonstrates leadership skills and provides guidance to new hires
• Customer-centric attitude with a continuous improvement mindset
• Proactive in identifying and resolving issues
• Willingness to perform additional duties when required
• Displays excellent oral and written communication skills across various management levels and departments
• Flexible in duties, scope, and work hours
• Acts as a driver of change

Sony Pictures Entertainment upholds equal opportunity in all employment practices, policies, and procedures. No individual will face unfavorable treatment based on race, age, creed, sexual orientation, color, nationality, ethnicity, disability, religion, gender, marital status, or Trade Union membership (if applicable).