Tim, Director of Finance at Paramount: Advize Career Interview

A career in entertainment finance offers exciting possibilities, as evidenced by a Director of Finance at Paramount Pictures.

This individual's journey began with a finance degree and early career experiences in construction and NBC Universal, leading to a role at Universal Studios Hollywood and ultimately Paramount.

The Director's responsibilities encompass substantial budget management, financial modeling, and ROI analysis, requiring high emotional intelligence, strong analytical skills, and innovative thinking.

A typical day involves collaboration with various executives, financial reporting, forecasting, and responding to ad-hoc requests.

Success in this field, and the entertainment industry more broadly, necessitates passion, exceptional interpersonal skills, and persistent hard work, while the rewards include working in a prestigious setting, contributing to the creative process, and experiencing significant professional growth over time.

Entry-level opportunities abound for undergraduates, particularly in departments like theme parks, offering a solid foundation for a fulfilling career.

The Director's advice: cultivate a strong work ethic, network proactively, and develop a thick skin—a compelling path to a rewarding career in entertainment finance awaits those willing to dedicate themselves to the craft.

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Tim Gardner

Director of Finance

Paramount

University of Scranton 2008

UCLA EMBA Class of 2023

Finance

Arts, Entertainment & Media

Finance

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Career Path Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

Tim's career path began with a finance degree from the University of Scranton in 2008, a "tough job market," leading to an initial role in construction before transitioning to NBC Universal in New York City for financial planning and analysis. A move to Universal Studios Hollywood, facilitated by internal networking, and participation in UCLA's MBA program propelled their career to a Director of Finance position at Paramount.

Career Path Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

Main Responsibilities Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

Tim's main responsibilities as Director of Finance at Paramount Studios include building revenue budgets— "around a hundred and fifty million dollars"— for various departments, modeling operating income and margins, and performing ROI analyses on capital investments like new stage construction. This involves creating "monthly presentations for the SVP and president."

Main Responsibilities Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

A typical day for Tim, Director of Finance at Paramount, begins with collaborating with the VP of Studio finance to plan the day and connecting with operational vice presidents "to understand the latest" in their respective areas. This involves monthly financial close processes, forecasting, and addressing ad-hoc requests like modeling capital expense projects.

A Day In The Life Of A Director Of Finance At Paramount

Most Important Skills for a Director of Finance at Paramount

Tim, a Director of Finance at Paramount, emphasizes the importance of high emotional intelligence ("EQ") to influence executive decision-makers, complementing strong financial modeling skills. This, combined with "thinking outside the box" and a willingness to innovate, are key attributes for success in their role.

Most Important Skills for a Director of Finance at Paramount

Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Finance at Paramount

Tim, Paramount's Director of Finance, most enjoys his "fantastic boss" who fosters productive conversations and values Tim's input, a crucial element in high-level roles. Beyond this, the numerical aspect of finance at a prestigious studio like Paramount provides both a deep understanding of the business and "the underlying basis of the storyline."

Favorite Parts of Being a Director of Finance at Paramount

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Finance at Paramount

Tim's biggest challenge as Paramount's Director of Finance is "being able to...influence decision makers on the highest levels," requiring nimbleness and self-awareness. A further challenge involves creating "a completely new financial model without precedence," while also proactively addressing unforeseen events like potential writer strikes and their impact on Paramount's stage rental business.

Biggest Challenges Faced by a Director of Finance at Paramount

Favorite Parts of Working in the Entertainment Industry as a Director of Finance

Tim, Paramount's Director of Finance, enjoys the "amazing and historical company" and its "creative and amazing people," fostering a positive work environment. The combination of working with numbers and contributing to the operational storyline within the entertainment industry is also a key source of professional fulfillment for Tim.

Favorite Parts of Working in the Entertainment Industry as a Director of Finance

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Entertainment Industry According To A Director Of Finance At Paramount

To thrive in the entertainment industry, and any industry in general, passion for the work is paramount; it "has to be as much fun as it is work". Success also hinges on strong interpersonal skills, including "managing personalities" and the ability to "influence strategic decision makers at the highest level."

What Type Of Person Thrives In The Entertainment Industry According To A Director Of Finance At Paramount

What a Director of Finance at Paramount Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entertainment Industry

Tim, a Director of Finance at Paramount, emphasizes the crucial need for patience and diligent work in the niche studio business, stating that "it's not going to be something that's overnight." Success requires years of absorbing industry knowledge and consistently working harder than peers to overcome the steep learning curve.

What a Director of Finance at Paramount Wishes They Had Known Before Entering the Entertainment Industry

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Financial Analysts at Paramount

Tim, a Director of Finance at Paramount, highlights that "hundreds of financial analyst positions" exist within the entertainment industry for undergraduates. The most insightful advice offered is to be selective about the department, focusing on areas like theme parks at companies such as Disney or Universal, to build a strong "Baseline of information" and grow within a chosen area of interest.

Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Financial Analysts at Paramount

Significant Career Lesson from a Director of Finance at Paramount

A significant career lesson for this Director of Finance is that career progression is "not going to be linear," requiring consistent effort and the development of key relationships through proactive networking. Success also demands "a thick skin" and a willingness to "work harder than a lot of people around you."

Significant Career Lesson from a Director of Finance at Paramount

College Experiences That Helped A Director Of Finance At Paramount Succeed

Tim, Paramount's Director of Finance, attributes their career success to a strong work ethic cultivated during undergrad, focusing on achieving a "good GPA, particularly in finance classes," to build skills directly applicable to their field. This foundational work ethic, established in college, provided the baseline for their professional success.

College Experiences That Helped A Director Of Finance At Paramount Succeed

Advizer Personal Links

https://www.linkedin.com/in/timothy-gardner-47153018/