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Financial Analyst Planning

Location:
Cumming, GA
Posted:
August 08, 2025

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Resume:

Nirali Bodiwala

Atlanta Metro Area (*****) **********@*****.***

404-***-**** linkedin.com/in/niralibodiwala

Energetic and results-focused leader with +12 years of experience advancing strategy and financial objectives in complex, matrixed enterprises. Evaluates corporate goals and “pain points” to design, deploy, and support industry-leading analytics

(qualitative/quantitative), enable informed decision-making, and develop change blueprints. Extensive involvement supporting major acquisitions, restructuring, and divestment initiatives with razor-sharp focus on the bottom line. Guides high-potential programs to SET NEW BENCHMARKS by understanding the driving forces behind operational & economic change. Strategic Financial Planning: Expertise in long-range planning, budgeting and forecasting to drive organizational objectives. Data-Driven Decision Support: Proficient in utilizing advanced analytics and visualization tools to inform and influence key business decisions.

Cross-Functional Collaboration: Strong track record of partnering with leadership and business units to align financial and operational strategies.

Performance Optimization: Demonstrated ability to achieve significant cost savings and revenue growth through process innovation and financial discipline.

Change Management Leadership: Effective at designing and implementing scalable solutions to navigate complex organizational changes.

M&A Integration & restructuring Skilled in streamlining operations, processes, and systems post-acquisition or divesture. Leadership Development: Passionate about mentoring and developing future leaders within the finance function. PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY/ WARNERMEDIA/ TURNER (2010-2024) Director, FP&A (Warner Bros. Discovery), April 2021 – Dec 2024 SCOPE: Kids, Young Adult & Classics - linear and HBO Max 2 Financial Analyst Reports Hybrid role formed after 2 major acquisitions (AT&T, Discovery) : Designed and executed short and long-term strategies to achieve aggressive performance targets as an internal resource and true business partner to KYA & Classics (CN, Adult Swim, Boomerang and TCM) for both linear & HBO Max. Oversaw all finance functions including program planning support and investment/deal analysis with significant impact on business, production, investment, and programming strategy.

• Pioneered the 1st models/workflows for HBOMax streaming service including revenue, amortization, and cash flow; created detailed pricing assumptions, programming hours, and pacing reports to inform/influence prospective buying.

• Collaborated cross-functionally across the enterprise (working extensively with VP, Studio Finance/SVP, Production Finance) footprint to compile, analyze, and translate a high volume of complex data/financial information into actionable recommendations, influencing “greenlight” decisions, and helping them drive margin expansion.

• Delivered value-added business analysis to present global view of Kids and animation business by regions – APAC, EMEA, and domestic US.

• Redesigned and launched totally new streamlined processes for month-end close, forecast, and budget LRP for and developed cash flow pro forma used for monthly finance reporting to executive stakeholders.

• Launched a new reporting tool for the leadership team with singular access to P&L summary, production schedules, financial trends, variance analysis, projects, cash flow, risks and opportunities Manager, Financial Analysis (Warner Media), Apr 2019 – Mar 2021 Sr. Financial Analyst (Warner Media), Apr 2017-Mar 2019 SCOPE: Kids, Young Adult & Classics – linear and BOOM OTT 1 Financial Analyst Report

• Set the core finance operating model for $200M planning programming expense with analytics-driven strategy, best-in- class forecasting, ad-hoc analysis, resource prioritization, and decision-support with significant impact on program acquisition, licensing/pricing, and investment strategy globally.

• Key thought leader to strategy and execution of a “Direct to Consumer Deferral” initiative that shifted expenses to align with timing of content available on the HBOMax platform and generated $50M savings in 2019

• Advanced asset monetization initiatives by developing cost-sharing models for linear and digital platforms; vastly improved decision support with robust insight into performance drivers, market trends, risks, and opportunities

• Installed strong internal and external controls with standardized processes to ensure accurate and timely reporting activities in strict alignment with GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) and internal requirements.

• Selected to attend a prestigious 1-year “Finance and Accounting Emerging Leaders” program reserved for top forming professionals’ enterprise-wide; graduated in 2019.

• Led interviews and professional development sessions as a Member of the Finance and Accounting Intern Committee. Sr. Financial Analyst, Film Management (Turner/ Warner Media), Apr 2014-Mar 2017 SCOPE: Forecast, budgeting and financial analysis for Animation networks – Cartoon network, Boomerang & Adult Swim

• Responsible for Annual and 10YR forecasting and annual budgeting for 200+ Originals and Licensed series, movies and specials on Cartoon network and Adult Swim. Annual budget of ~$200M

• Work as a liaison between the Acquisition Finance, Legal team and Policy team to stay abreast of the changes in the deal terms on various licensed series and communicate them to network finance team along with the impact analysis.

• Periodically monitor the utilization of original and licensed series on network and communicate to upper management.

• Managed the Entertainment Finance Intern for 2016, 2017 and 2018

• Nominated, by leadership, for the Turner’s 2017 Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) for Finance employees. CNN News Finance, TURNER/ Warner Media – May 2010-Mar 2014 Financial Analyst I & II

• Promoted in just 1- year, organized, managed and reported on allocation expense budget for 56 departments, 1000+ headcount and non-personnel expense budget of $200M.

• Worked closely with the business strategy team on CNN.com website and mobile performance. Prepared Dashboard to report performance on page views, unique users, ad buys and revenue by section that helped in managing ad revenue and tracking performance & placement of articles/ stories that drove higher revenue for the site. Financial Analyst - Linc Group Inc, Nov ’09 – Feb ‘10 Gained excellent early business and financial analysis experience with a financial service company. EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance- Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA Master in advanced accounting & Auditing – Gujarat University, India Bachelor of Science (BS) in Accounting – Gujarat University, India TECHNICAL EXPERTISE

Financial Analysis & Modeling: Advanced skills in building revenue, expense, and cash flow models tailored for high-impact decision-making. Proficient in using pivot tables and Microsoft excel formulas. Systems & Tools: Proficient in Essbase, SmartView, Hyperion, PeopleSoft. Experience using NetSuite and S4Hana Automation & Reporting: Experienced in leveraging AI, automation, and advanced visualization tools to enhance reporting and insights.

GAAP & SOX Compliance: Comprehensive knowledge of financial reporting standards and regulatory compliance. Data Visualization Tools: Expertise in creating dashboards and visual analytics for actionable business insights – Power BI.



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