Finance & Strategy Director, CP&E and Brand Partnerships (MAT Cover)

Finance & Strategy Director, CP&E and Brand PartnershipsThank you for considering the Finance & Strategy Director, CP&E and Brand Partnerships role with Moonbug Entertainment, an award-winning global entertainment company inspiring kids everywhere to laugh, learn and grow. The company is behind some of the biggest kids' entertainment brands in the world including CoComelon and Blippi. Moonbug believes every child should have access to our entertaining and enriching content, which is why our shows are available on more than 150 video platforms globally including Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and YouTube Kids. Moonbug is also a global leader in pre-school music and audio experiences, available on 100+ audio platforms globally. Moonbug brands extend far beyond the screen to include streaming music, toys, games, books, live events, and even theme park exhibits.Moonbug is part of Candle Media, an independent, creator-friendly home for cutting-edge, high-quality, category-defining brands and franchises. By bringing together elite talent operating at the intersection of content, community, and commerce, it helps to position leading entertainment businesses for accelerated, sustainable growth in the current market and beyond.We are looking for a dynamic and experienced Finance & Strategy Director to join our team for a 6-month contract to cover a maternity leave. In this role, you will play a pivotal role in leading financial oversight and strategic planning for our global Consumer Products & Experiences (CP&E) and Brand Partnerships division. You will act as a critical business partner to executive leadership, ensuring continuity in our budgeting, forecasting, and commercial deal evaluations.You thrive in a fast-paced environment, bring a consultative approach to finance, and are passionate about driving actionable insights in the kids' media and consumer products landscape. Whether evaluating complex commercial structures or preparing materials for executive review, you bring rigor, empathy, and a strong sense of ownership to the role.ResponsibilitiesPartner with CP&E and Brand Partnerships leadership to manage budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning for the global CP&E business.Monitor and analyze business performance metrics, revenue drivers, and expense trends to deliver actionable insights and recommendations.Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Legal, and Commercial teams to review contracts, ensure alignment, and improve deal terms.Lead financial evaluations of licensing deals, brand partnerships, and experiential initiatives - including royalty performance, minimum guarantee recoupment, etc.Prepare executive-level presentations and reporting materials summarizing performance to support decision-making.Conduct competitor and industry trend analyses to inform long-term strategic planning and prioritization.Lead the development and execution of quarterly business reviews (QBRs), including both financial and non-financial updates.Establish and monitor KPIs/OKRs for CP&E, in collaboration with the Managing Director, ensuring progress against business milestones.Own and maintain business guidelines: best practices for licensing deal structures, workflows, and contractual terms.Oversee the licensee audit program - work with external auditors to ensure licensee contract compliance.Support month-end close processes, perform variance analysis, and manage ad-hoc finance & strategy projects.RequirementsBachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. MBA or advanced degree is a plus.Proven work experience as a Finance Director, Senior FP&A Manager, or similar strategic finance role, preferably within the entertainment, gaming, consumer products, or media licensing industry.Deep foundational knowledge of licensing business models, royalty structures, and minimum guarantee (MG) recoupment mechanics.Strong financial modeling skills and extensive experience with enterprise ERP or FP&A forecasting software.Excellent presentation and communication skills, with a track record of translating complex data into clear, executive-level summaries.Exceptional interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively cross-functionally across Legal, Commercial, and Brand management teams.Strong organizational skills and the ability to hit the ground running to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.Proactive, details-oriented, and results-driven mindset with the agility to manage continuity effectively during a contract coverage period.