Position Title: Sports Rights Accounting Team Lead

Location: London

Department: Finance/Accounting

Reports To: Head of Global Accounting Processes

Employment Type: Full-time / Permanent

OVERVIEW: We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Sports Rights Accounting Team Lead to join our finance and accounting organization. The ideal candidate will oversee the end-to-end accounting and financial management of sports rights and lease contracts, ensuring compliance with IFRS/GAAP standards and internal controls (SOX). This role is responsible for leading a team of accounting professionals, driving process improvements, and supporting M&A integration efforts. The Sports Rights Accounting Team Lead will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, manage reporting obligations, and play a key role in optimizing accounting processes related to sports rights and intangible assets.

THE CHALLENGE:

• Sports Rights Accounting: Review and analyze sports rights and leases contracts to ensure compliance with financial terms and conditions. Manage the accounting and financial aspects of contract renewals, amendments, and new acquisitions.
• Maintain detailed records of all sports rights and leases contracts and payments.
• Process Improvement & Project contribution: Identify opportunities for process improvements and drive standardization and automation of accounting processes related to sports rights, including contract review, data entry, and reporting. Support M&A integration efforts involving sports rights assets, including due diligence and post-deal accounting.
• Reporting & Compliance: Ensure completeness of monthly financial package and its compliance with internal controls (SOX), accounting principles (GAAP/IFRS), tax regulations, and statutory requirements related to sports rights and leases.
• Leadership & Team Management: Supervise and mentor a team of accountants, providing guidance on technical accounting issues and professional development.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams such as Accounting, Treasury, IT and FP&A to resolve issues related to payments, contracts, and other financials. Collaborate with external auditors to validate accounting positions and disclosures. This role requires a proactive and detail-oriented individual who can manage multiple priorities and drive continuous improvement in this area.

YOUR PROFILE:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 5 years of experience in working in a financial position in a similar industry or with a Big4 company. Prior experience with designing, implementing, and documenting policies, controls and procedures.
• Skills: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite (particularly Excel). Strong understanding of accounting principles (GAAP/IFRS), internal controls (SOX), and financial reporting.
• Language: Fluent English, any other European Language knowledge is a plus.