Vice President, Planning and Forecasting - Santa Monica, 90404

Vice President, Planning and Forecasting - Santa Monica, 90404, United States of America

How we LEAD:

We are currently seeking an accomplished Vice President, Planning and Forecasting to drive transformation of UMGs enterprise forecasting capabilities. The Vice President, Planning and Forecasting will lead the design, build, and operation of a new Center of Excellence (COE) for Forecasting and Planning. This role will be instrumental in transforming enterprise forecasting capabilities across Universal Music Groups global organization, introducing modern, driver-based planning frameworks and enabling scalable, data-driven decision-making.

This leader will partner closely with Finance, Strategy, and Business Unit leaders to standardize planning processes, enhance forecast accuracy, and embed advanced tools and methodologies across the organization, including AI/ML-enabled forecasting tools.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in financial planning, forecasting methodologies, and driver-based modeling, along with hands-on experience implementing and governing enterprise planning tools such as Anaplan, Onestream, Pigment or custom builds. Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including comfort with AI/ML forecasting approaches, are essential, as is the ability to translate complex modeling concepts into practical tools and to drive their adoption across the business.

How youll CREATE:

• Driver-based forecasting: Develop and maintain driver-based forecast models for revenue lines and cost categories, linking operational drivers to outcomes

• AI/ML-enabled use cases: Shape centralized forecasting use cases to support profit centers and senior leadership, reducing manual bottom-up effort and improving forecast accuracy

• Scenario modeling & forecasting improvement: Own and evolve scenario modeling tools; continuously improve forecasting methodologies and approaches (e.g., leveraging ML models, next-gen tooling) to enhance accuracy

• Planning tool, data & logic governance: Govern PBF tools, planning data and logic across profit and cost centers; drive consistency in how forecasting data is captured and tagged

• Tool training & adoption: Develop training materials, train divisional FP&A teams on tool usage, and drive consistent adoption

• Continuous tool improvement: Fields enhancement requests from users, maintain and prioritize tool backlog, and partner with CDAO to develop new capabilities

• Cross Functional Partnership: Collaborate with Corp Controllership on shared data foundation between actuals and forecasts to avoid duplication and ensure reconcilability. Partner with CIO and CDAO on PBF tool modernization and platform implementation to power an AI-enabled forecasting and reporting infrastructure. Collaborate Senior Vice President - Strategic Finance & Planning Work to transform the Planning and Forecasting cadence and processes.

  Work with BI & Analytics COE to align planning logic and driver definitions

• Team leadership: Build, Lead and mentor a high-performing Global Forecasting COE

Bring your VIBE:

• 1215+ years of experience in FP&A, corporate finance, or strategic planning

• Deep expertise in financial planning, forecasting methodologies, and driver-based modeling

• Experience implementing and governing enterprise planning tools (e.g., Anaplan, OneStream, custom builds)

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills, including comfort with AI/ML forecasting approaches

• Translate complex modeling concepts into practical tools

• Experience driving tool adoption

• This role is office-based