At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive project finance and performance for exciting animation and VFX projects.
- Company: Join Cinesite, a leading digital entertainment studio with a creative culture.
- Benefits: Flexible working arrangements, work-life balance, and a supportive environment.
- Other info: Opportunities for career growth in a dynamic and innovative setting.
- Why this job: Be part of award-winning projects and collaborate with top industry talent.
- Qualifications: Experience in production management and strong Excel skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
LOCATION: LONDON / GERMANY
SERVICING: CINESITE LONDON & TRIXTER
REPORTING TO: FINANCE MANAGER - EUROPE
TYPE OF CONTRACT: PERMANENT
WORKING ARRANGEMENTS: TBC
WORKING HOURS: TBC (Full time 9 am to 6 pm)
COMPANY BACKGROUND
Established in 1991, Cinesite is one of the world's most respected independent digital entertainment studios, producing award-winning animation, visual effects, and immersive entertainment for film, broadcast, streaming, gaming, music, and events. Recognised as one of Europe's fastest-growing companies, Cinesite has studios in London, Montreal, Vancouver, Munich and Mumbai. Its visual effects brands, Cinesite, Image Engine, and Trixter, have worked on major TV and film projects, including Marvel’s Avengers, Game of Thrones and BAFTA-winning The Witcher. Alongside global VFX services, its animation business collaborates with IP creators and filmmakers to produce high-end animated features and series in London, Montreal, and Vancouver. The team has worked on The Addams Family, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Smurfs projects. The company also offers top-tier motion capture for blockbuster films and immersive experiences for London’s top attractions.
THE ROLE
We are seeking a Production Controller to drive commercial and project-specific finance across our London businesses and Trixter. In this role, you will partner with production in driving project performance and profitability while providing forward-looking insights across these business units. You will oversee day-to-day project financial management, taking full ownership of tracking project performance, margins, and delivery milestones. You will also be responsible for the forecasting of future sales and direct labour, partnering closely with non-financial stakeholders to obtain necessary context and backup to your assumptions.
REQUIREMENTS
- Experience working within a production management business and an understanding of completion-based revenue recognition
- A commercial mindset with the ability to look beyond the data to identify risks and opportunities
- Ability to communicate simply and effectively with non-finance management
- Strong collaborative skills and ability to support the wider team
- Strong Excel skills
DESIRABLE
- Part-qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)
- VFX/Film Production experience an advantage
- Proficiency in German is a strong plus
MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PROJECT PERFORMANCE & MARGIN REPORTING
- Prepare project financial tracking reports and performance updates
- Run "bid vs. actual" analysis on active shows to track profitability, identify margin erosion early, and pinpoint cost overruns
- Deliver detailed variance analysis on direct project spend including crew utilisation and outsourcing
FORECASTING & CAPACITY PLANNING
- Responsibility for the accurate forecasting of sales on future projects
- Responsibility for the accurate forecasting of the corresponding direct labour costs for these projects, including cross-site spend and outsourcing
- Help production to optimise utilisation through accurate forecasting and the provision of useful KPIs for production spend management
- Partner with the Financial Control team to feed project revenue recognition, milestone data, and labour forecasts into the company’s budgets and forecasts
REVENUE RECOGNITION & COMMERCIAL PARTNERING
- Manage show-by-show revenue recognition based on percentage-of-completion accounting and milestone achievements.
- Act as the primary financial touchpoint for Heads of Production and Executive Producers, translating complex financial metrics into practical production guidance
- Support production teams in financially assessing the impact of scope creep, client-driven delays, and change orders.
- Track and organize production-level tracking data to support the FC and corporate tax teams with creative industry tax credit applications (e.g., UK AVEC data extraction).
PROJECT COST CONTROL
- Review and validate cost allocations to ensure project expenses are accurately distributed across projects
- Monitor and track third-party vendor outsourcing costs and cross-studio recharges to ensure they stay within budgeted show parameters.
GENERAL
- Aim to find process efficiencies, standardisation of workflows and utilise automation tools or AI where possible
- Ensure efficient administration of affairs
- Deal with general queries and enquiries as necessary
- Providing financial support on ad-hoc corporate projects, software transitions etc.
What can we offer?
Cinesite offers a positive, creative environment where the world’s leading animation and effects artists are encouraged and supported to develop and produce challenging, world-leading and award-winning work. We pride ourselves on our work-life balance and provide flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and full remote options as well as working from one of our main studios. We work as a collective, where everyone values excellence, expertise and expression; where we collaborate with some of the world’s leading creative thinkers and produce work that we are all proud to put our name to.
Production Controller - EUROPE in London employer: Cinesite-London
Cinesite is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant and creative work environment in London and Germany, where employees are encouraged to thrive and innovate. With a strong emphasis on work-life balance, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for professional growth, Cinesite fosters a culture of collaboration and excellence, making it an ideal place for those passionate about animation and visual effects to build a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Production Controller - EUROPE in London
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Cinesite-London. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Cinesite-London.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Cinesite-London. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Production Controller - EUROPE in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Cinesite-London and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Cinesite-London how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cinesite-London
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Cinesite-London.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Cinesite-London's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
