Janelle Davis
Summary
Strategic finance leader with 10+ years of experience across media, entertainment, and global events. Proven track record managing $400M+ operating budgets, optimizing SG&A, leading high-performing teams, and driving cross-functional planning across marketing, sales, and operations. Expert in financial modeling, reporting, and executive stakeholder engagement with a focus on growth, transparency, and performance alignment.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Manager, Finance
On Location (FIFA World Cup 2026 Hospitality)
12.2024 - Current
- Oversee $400M+ in operating expenditures for FIFA World Cup 2026 hospitality, ensuring compliance with FIFA contractual standards and financial governance.
- Lead end-to-end financial planning, forecasting, and reporting across HR, Marketing, and Operations, enabling data-driven decisions for a globally scaled project.
- Manage and develop a team of three direct reports, aligning finance capabilities with evolving operational needs.
- Partner with HR on labor cost planning and dynamic headcount forecasts; monitor variances and adjust for staffing shifts.
- Partner with Marketing to evaluate investment plans, KPIs, and ROI against fan engagement targets.
- Lead cash flow forecasting, reforecasting, and scenario planning for high-profile cost centers.
- Oversee monthly close process, reviewing reconciliations and providing variance analysis across departments.
- Validate and sign off on reporting packages in coordination with FP&A and reporting teams, ensuring accuracy and transparency.
- Serve as a key liaison with internal leadership and corporate finance to translate insights into actionable strategic recommendations.
Senior Manager, Finance
Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS)
12.2020 - 12.2024
- Served as strategic finance advisor to the Chief Marketing Officer, overseeing a $150M budget across multiple brands and marketing initiatives.
- Directed SG&A planning for compensation, T&E, and professional services, ensuring alignment with corporate targets.
- Restructured general ledger hierarchy, consolidating 50%+ of legacy cost centers to streamline reporting and improve visibility.
- Supported financial modeling for strategic initiatives and investment decisions in collaboration with the Strategy team.
- Led P&L forecasting, long-range planning (LRP), and reforecasting cycles, coordinating inputs across functions.
- Delivered cause-of-change and variance analyses to executive leadership, identifying key performance drivers and financial risks.
Manager, Finance Advertising Sales & Marketing
TelevisaUnivision (formerly Univision Communications)
08.2019 - 12.2020
- Provided financial leadership to the President of Sales, managing a $60M budget across advertising and marketing operations.
- Delivered 5% annual plan savings through proactive pacing and cost optimization strategies.
- Revamped incentive compensation structure for 50+ sales employees, contributing to 20% YoY revenue growth.
- Improved forecast accuracy and cross-departmental reporting by leading and mentoring a team of two analysts and one coordinator.
- Created financial models to support pricing strategies, business cases, and COVID-19 response planning, including $10.1M in cost mitigation.
Senior Financial Analyst
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
01.2018 - 08.2019
- Managed $50M in OPEX across 15 departments, including headcount, contractors, and travel budgets.
- Performed detailed forecast variance analyses and surfaced cost-saving opportunities to senior stakeholders.
Financial Analyst
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
12.2016 - 01.2018
- Produced monthly P&L and performance reports across business lines for senior leadership.
- Prepared quarterly presentations used for executive strategy sessions and investor updates.
Financial Assistant
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
11.2015 - 11.2016
- Partnered with SEC Reporting, IR, and Audit teams to deliver data used in external reporting and internal audits.
- Managed GL account coding and payment reconciliation processes across departments.
Temporary Assistant
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
08.2015 - 11.2015
- Provided interim finance support during organizational transition; converted to full-time within 3 months due to performance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Babson College
Babson Park, MA05.2015
Skills
Financial Planning & Analysis:
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- P&L Management
- Long-Range Planning (LRP)
- Cash Flow Forecasting
- SG&A & OPEX Management
- Financial Modeling
- Cause-of-Change Analysis
- Scenario Planning
- Incentive Compensation Planning
Business Strategy & Leadership:
- Strategic Business Partnering
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Executive Stakeholder Engagement
- Team Management & Development
- Organizational Restructuring
- Process Improvement
- KPI Development
Reporting & Compliance:
- Monthly Close Process
- Management Reporting
- General Ledger Oversight
- Financial Governance
- Compliance with Corporate & Partner Agreements (eg, FIFA)
Tools & Systems:
- SAP
- Oracle
- Hyperion
- Workday
- Advanced Microsoft Excel Skills
- PowerPoint
- Netsuite
Awards
IRTS Summer Fellowship (2015): Selected as one of 30 fellows nationwide for the prestigious IRTS (International Radio and Television Society) Fellowship. Completed an immersive media program in NYC focused on media business, content strategy, and technology, including a paid internship and executive mentorship.
Posse Foundation Full-Tuition Leadership Scholarship (2011-2015): Earned full-tuition scholarship based on academic excellence, leadership potential, and community impact. Participated in a rigorous, cohort-based leadership development program throughout college, focused on team building, civic engagement, and cross-cultural communication.
Timeline
Senior Manager, Finance
On Location (FIFA World Cup 2026 Hospitality)
12.2024 - Current
Senior Manager, Finance
Paramount Global (formerly ViacomCBS)
12.2020 - 12.2024
Manager, Finance Advertising Sales & Marketing
TelevisaUnivision (formerly Univision Communications)
08.2019 - 12.2020
Senior Financial Analyst
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
01.2018 - 08.2019
Financial Analyst
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
12.2016 - 01.2018
Financial Assistant
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
11.2015 - 11.2016
Temporary Assistant
National General Insurance (an Allstate company)
08.2015 - 11.2015
Bachelor of Science - Business Administration
Babson College
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