Sr. Manager, Distribution Analytics & Forecasting

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

About Versant: Versant is an industry-leading news, sports and entertainment media business that provides content through a portfolio of iconic television networks (MSNBC, CNBC, USA Network, Golf Channel, E!, SYFY and Oxygen) and through complementary digital assets (Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow and SportsEngine).

The Manager/Sr. Manager of Distribution Analytics & Forecasting sits within the Data, Insights, and Strategic Analytics team, a group whose charter is to provide actionable insights that enable decision-making across Versant’s properties. The role will traverse the many distribution avenues that put Versant’s content and products in front of audiences. Areas of focus include distribution forecasting and industry tracking, spanning linear and streaming.

The ideal candidate is a strategic thinker and media industry enthusiast. Drawn to how our partners strategies impact and influence opportunities for Versant. Delights in building for the future while optimizing current distribution channels, driving business value and delivering on consumer needs. An adept collaborator able to work successfully with cross functional teams. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of short- and long-term distribution forecasts, inclusive of macro industry forecasts and network level forecasts.
• Utilize historical data, market trends, and audience insights to predict distribution
• Analyze key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust forecasts as needed to meet business objectives.
• Maintain and manage the distribution forecasting database, ensuring accurate and up-to-date information.
• Develop and present reports to senior management, offering insights into forecast accuracy and distribution trends.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement best practices in forecasting methodology.
• Regularly review and report out on earnings reports and financial statements assessing how the company’s distribution strategy is evolving in response to market dynamics.
• Analyze the impact of financial performance on distribution strategies and adjust forecasts to reflect changing priorities and new strategic goals.
• Collaborate with the research team to gather external data, including consumer preferences and emerging content consumption trends, and integrate these insights into forecasting models.
• Track and analyze market shifts, consumer behavior, and competitor strategies to anticipate demand and adjust forecasts accordingly.
• Use market research to identify potential new distribution opportunities or underutilized channels and incorporate them into forecasting strategies.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a forecasting, data analysis, or distribution strategy role within the media, entertainment, or broadcasting industry.
• Proven track record of developing and implementing forecasting models for media content.
• Strong understanding of distribution channels, including traditional TV, OTT platforms, and digital distribution.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis tools (Excel, SQL, or