Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
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Tara Wells

San Gabriel,CA

Summary

Accomplished, versatile, and innovative professional with 25+ years of combined experience managing large-scale projects and financial strategy, including 15+ years of FP&A, people management, and entertainment/studio experience. Meticulous and adaptable project manager with experience guiding cross-departmental teams to deliver on deadline and within budget. Strategic and collaborative communicator and relationship builder with a knack for aligning stakeholders around recommendations that increase efficiency, improve processes, and reduce costs. Ability to focus on long term goals while attaining critical short-term milestones.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Sr. Production Finance Executive

Amazon Studios
01.2022 - Current
  • Led fiscal management of high-profile Original Scripted TV Series for Genre, Tentpoles, and Franchise Content, successfully delivering projects within financial guidelines and target deadlines. Managed a slate of over 20 projects at any time with an average budget of over $100MM.
  • Developed comprehensive budgets by collaborating with multiple departments including Development, Content, Production, Department Heads, and Line Producers
  • Budgets for Original Scripted TV Series Genre, Tentpoles and Franchise
  • Implemented cost control measures, proactively identifying, and addressing cost overruns to maintain financial integrity
  • Established and maintained strong relationships with external partners, including Co-Production partners
  • Implemented sustainable and cost-efficient production practices, contributing to improved resource allocation and utilization
  • Oversaw financial models and forecasts to track project expenditures and assess financial risks, supporting greenlight decisions and creating new models for Content Strategy, Content Finance, and Development to assist in slate support
  • Prepared and presented regular financial reports to senior management, offering insights into project financial performance
  • Departmental team lead spearheading process creation, template overhauls, and team mentoring
  • Created several training sessions to teach less experienced team leads budgeting, financial modeling, and other key skills
  • Worked on multiple cross-departmental projects to dive deep into the way business was conducted, invent, and simplify new practices and procedures to strategically streamline processes across the company for greater efficiency.
  • Participated in industry events to stay current on market trends and maintain a strong professional network for future opportunities.
  • Improved overall financial reporting by streamlining control processes and reporting structures.
  • Led cross-functional teams to develop initiatives aimed at reducing operational costs and improving profitability.
  • Improved overall financial performance by analyzing key performance indicators and providing strategic recommendations.

Executive Producer, Consultant, Owner

SKW LLC
01.2015 - 01.2022
  • Founded and developed an experiential consulting and production company
  • Lead strategic vision for the company
  • Championed a team of producers and administrative staff, overseeing personnel recruitment, and talent development
  • Produced and provided executive-level leadership to 2 independent feature films from initial funding to distribution with budgets of $1MM+ and a cast and crew of 40+
  • Partnered with production management to assist with script notes, pitch materials, budget management, and production schedules while maintaining the highest editorial standards
  • Consulted on various small business projects that included implementing accounting software packages, business strategy for independent production/media companies, and process improvement
  • Used the highest discretion on all projects.

Manager of Finance (Acting Director), Paramount Studio Operations | Home Entertainment

Paramount Pictures
08.2011 - 10.2018
  • Managed division assets by developing innovative P&L, budgets, cash flow, operating, and variance analyses for both domestic and international entities
  • Facilitated successful cross-functional collaborations for the completion of key projects, fostering strong working relationships among team members.
  • Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work.
  • Effectively managed all FP&A functions
  • Evaluated ultimates, greenlights, contracts, and legal agreements, and compiled quarterly financial reviews and monthly updates
  • Managed an international team of eight analysts, accountants, managers, and support staff and reported directly to the division VP
  • Accurately completed the strategic vision for the Home Entertainment division to maximize optimal slate results
  • Introduced a cost-containment initiative, cutting down operational costs by $600K through automation of international inventories and distribution rates and costs
  • Significantly reduced annual departmental overhead spending $1MM+ by providing conservative and independent analysis of the viability of projects
  • Project team lead on an endeavor to transfer titles to Universal for distribution from Paramount
  • Worked with both Features and TV production to deliver cost breakdowns for budget, forecasting, and variance reporting
  • Tracked production progress and studio assets and completed forecasting updates based on actual vs
  • Estimated performance
  • Presented feedback on all contracts, including in-depth post-mortem deal analyses, term deals, rate cards, and production deals
  • Crafted capital project business cases and provided financial support for multiple capital projects to expand studio facilities, post-production, transportation, and set-lighting departments
  • Developed weekly flash reports to closely monitor actual performance, projected activity, and measured industry factors to forecast performance and business drivers
  • Analyzed key drivers of spending to improve effectiveness and efficiency
  • Implemented SAP to all back-lot departments and upgraded capital tracking systems of several key departments
  • Contributed to the renegotiation of union contracts and created critical KPIs and rate card updates for backlot departments.

Manager FP&A/Strategy Analyst III/Project Manager

E & J Gallo Winery
04.2006 - 06.2010
  • Provided direct oversight of day-to-day FP&A, financial reporting, developing financial models and cost projections, in-depth research of historical financial data, forecast profit, and identifying trends in financial performance to provide feedback, reports, and recommendations for improvement
  • Managed a team of ten people, who were in various accounting roles
  • Led cross-departmental transition to a new resource planning process that raised the visibility of actual cost drivers, cost inefficiencies, and opportunities
  • Drove strategic planning and corrective actions by creating performance scorecards, online overhead reporting tools, analysis reports, and financial models
  • Reporting delivered to C-Suite level leadership
  • Developed key financial models for brand acquisitions, trend analysis, and other strategic areas
  • Worked cross-departmentally with marketing, legal, sales, and IT to complete merger and acquisition deals of unique brands
  • Improved change management process by upgrading planning, budgeting, forecasting, and fiscal consolidation capabilities, using SAP Business Planning and Consolidation (BPC) tools.
  • Reduced operational costs through comprehensive process improvement initiatives and resource management.
  • Planned and budgeted accurately to provide business with resources needed to operate smoothly.

Education

Master of Business Administration - Completed 30 Units - Finance

George Washington University/California State University, Stanislaus
Washington, DC And Turlock, CA

Bachelor of Arts in Economics -

Sonoma State University
Rohnert Park, CA

Skills

  • FP&A Analysis and Management
  • Executive Leadership
  • Budgeting / Forecasting
  • Content Management
  • Financial Modeling
  • Financial / Variance Analysis
  • Operations Management
  • Team Leadership/Dev
  • Content Strategy & Finance
  • Consulting
  • Cost Projections / Control
  • Production/Co-Pro Management
  • Process Reengineering
  • Project Management
  • Operational Reporting
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cost Data Analysis
  • Business Relationship Management
  • SAP
  • Microsoft Office
  • BPC and BW for SAP/BI Tools
  • TM1
  • Hyperion
  • Airtable
  • Oracle
  • Movie Magic
  • Tableau
  • Smart Accounting/PSL
  • Confluence
  • Smart Accounting/PSL
  • Data Analysis
  • Operational Reporting
  • Performance monitoring
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cost Data Analysis
  • Financial reports
  • Business Relationship Management
  • Due diligence
  • Confluence
  • Smart Accounting/PSL
  • Data Analysis
  • Operational Reporting
  • Performance monitoring
  • Attention to Detail
  • Cost Data Analysis
  • Financial reports
  • Business Relationship Management
  • Due diligence

Timeline

Sr. Production Finance Executive

Amazon Studios
01.2022 - Current

Executive Producer, Consultant, Owner

SKW LLC
01.2015 - 01.2022

Manager of Finance (Acting Director), Paramount Studio Operations | Home Entertainment

Paramount Pictures
08.2011 - 10.2018

Manager FP&A/Strategy Analyst III/Project Manager

E & J Gallo Winery
04.2006 - 06.2010

Master of Business Administration - Completed 30 Units - Finance

George Washington University/California State University, Stanislaus

Bachelor of Arts in Economics -

Sonoma State University

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Tara Wells