Sr. Director, Accounting – TV Networks

Company Description

VERSANT is a leading force in news, sports and entertainment - home to iconic and trusted brands that inspire, inform, and delight audiences. Our unique combination of content, technology and services enriches the cultural fabric, igniting passions, sparking conversations, and connecting people to what they love most.

As an independent, publicly traded company, VERSANT brings together powerhouse cable networks - including USA Network, CNBC, MS NOW (formerly MSNBC), Oxygen, E!, SYFY, and Golf Channel - with dynamic digital and direct-to-consumer brands such as Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. Together, these businesses reflect our commitment to delivering exceptional experiences across every screen and service.

VERSANT is an industry-changing media company fueled by innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit. With a strong foundation and a forward-looking vision, VERSANT empowers creativity, embraces change, and drives connection in an ever-evolving world.

Job Description

Position Overview

Versant is seeking a Senior Director, Accounting – TV Networks to lead the controllership activities across the Sports and Entertainment Networks portfolio to ensure accurate accounting, financial reporting, and internal controls over multiple revenue streams and operating expenses. Reporting to the Controller, TV Networks, this leader will oversee a TV Networks business unit controllership team and manage the work supported by the shared services accounting operations team.

This role will partner cross-functionally with Corporate Controllership, Finance, Technical Accounting, Internal Audit, Legal and Technology.  This role will also be instrumental in building and optimizing the accounting foundation of a newly independent public company by driving controllership excellence, enhancing internal controls, supporting ERP and finance transformation initiatives, and developing scalable accounting processes that enable future growth.

The ideal candidate combines deep technical accounting expertise with operational leadership, exceptional people management skills, and the ability to lead through change in a dynamic media environment.

Key Responsibilities

Controllership & Financial Reporting

• Lead the controllership function for the Sports and Entertainment Networks, including accounting oversight for linear distribution, advertising sales, affiliate revenues, licensing, and other revenue streams, as well as non-programming operating expenses.
• Oversee all accounting activities to ensure transactions are recorded, documented, reviewed, and supported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, company accounting policies, and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) requirements.
• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring the timely and accurate preparation of financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, account analyses, and supporting schedules.
• Review and approve journal entries, account reconciliations, accruals, and other accounting estimates, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the general ledger.
• Lead balance sheet reviews, identifying trends, risks, and unusual items and ensuring the completeness of external reporting support schedules.
• Ensure the accurate and timely preparation and delivery of recurring and ad hoc management reporting for executive leadership.

Business Partnership

• Serve as a key accounting partner to the Sports and Entertainment Networks Finance organization, providing guidance on accounting implications, reporting requirements, and internal controls for new business initiatives and transactions.
• Partner closely with Business Unit Controllership Leaders including the Senior Director, Programming & Content Accounting and the Director, Participations & Residuals.
• Partner with cross-functional groups including Technical Accounting, Corporate Accounting, FP&A, Treasury, Tax, Legal, Accounting Operations, Technology, Internal Audit, and external auditors to support business initiatives and resolve complex accounting matters.
• Provide accounting guidance on strategic initiatives, commercial agreements, contract interpretation, and new revenue arrangements.

Transformation & Process Improvement

• Partner with Controllership, Accounting Operations and Technology groups on accounting transformation initiatives focused on process standardization, automation, ERP implementation, close optimization, and reporting modernization.
• Drive continuous improvement efforts to enhance efficiency, strengthen controls, reduce manual processes, and improve reporting quality.
• Identify accounting process improvement opportunities and implement best practices that improv