We’re looking to appoint a talented, high-energy Finance Director to lead Group analysis and reporting. This role will report into the Group FD as part of the Group Finance team and will play an essential part of the M+C Saatchi Group strategy to drive high‑margin growth. The role will have four direct reports who are based in London and South Africa on a hybrid working basis.
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Group Commercial Finance Director is a key role in the commercial arm of the Group Finance team. This role supports the Group FD to direct, control and develop the Group reporting cycles and enhances the business’s commercial acumen by shaping a commercial finance culture and developing models and systems to support this initiative. Key stakeholders include the Plc Board (Group CEO, CFO), and regional and divisional heads across the UK, Asia, Europe, MEA, Australia and the Americas.
Success for this role will include:
- Streamlining and improving the current reporting processes, from monthly management accounts to annual budgets, quarterly forecasts and long‑term plans.
- Partnering with the Group Finance Systems and Group IT teams to develop reporting capability within the Global ERP (Netsuite), reporting and forecasting system, the new CRM (Hubspot) and HRIS (Workday).
- Implementing a new reporting and forecasting system to allow greater insight for Executive and Board reporting.
- Supporting the Group Treasury teams to create connected management information flows that enable seamless and timely cashflow reporting and forecasting.
- Continual improvement and development of management information and cost analysis, including Group utilisation, client & project profitability and working capital analysis.
- Coaching and developing best practice for the commercial finance team.
- Managing, supporting and coaching a team of two qualified management accountants.
More specifically, this role will focus on the following key activities:
Group Management Reporting & Analysis (60%)
- Management of monthly management accounts reporting under IFRS, including consolidated headline income statement, balance sheet and cashflow statement.
- Together with the Commercial FD, direct and review financial plans, budgets and forecasts based on the key drivers of the business.
- Provide insights and analysis on financial performance, revenue projections, cost structures and profitability of different clients and/or projects.
- Reporting support to the ESG director to help enable the business achieve its planet‑positive goals.
- Drive efficiencies in the Group reporting process to enable systems‑led reporting with a focus on business insights, trends and SWOT analysis.
- Identify risks and opportunities and suggest ways to mitigate risks or capitalize on the opportunities.
- Support Investor Relations with market analysis and track the market messaging of our peers (competitors).
Commercial Support (25%)
- Develop Financial, Operational, People and Sales KPIs with the relevant teams.
- Strategic Planning and Decision Support (Investment/Business Cases) – participate in strategic planning, providing financial analysis, modelling, insights and decision support to the investment committee, developing and analysing investment models (M&A, organic investment/growth business cases).
- Identify areas for process improvement within the finance function and across business operations. Streamline financial processes, implement financial controls and leverage systems/technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis.
- Pipeline/Sales funnel – develop and maintain group revenue pipeline reporting to ensure an accurate revenue forecast outlook.
- Develop and maintain best practice and financial models supporting the setting of cost cards, internal rate cards and utilisation measures.
- Develop and analyse multi‑geography and specialism pricing models assessing impacts of discounts, rebates and client/project deals, aiming to leverage improved terms.
- Assist local finance teams with ad‑hoc analysis to enable local investment and new business decisions.
- Manage, evolve and maintain incentive and remuneration strategies and models.
External Audit (5%)
- Manage, evolve and maintain incentive and remuneration strategies and models.
Finance Team Development (10%)
- Be a leading member of the Group Finance team and support the development of a professional, high‑performing function.
- Coach and develop the team.
ABOUT YOU
This role is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Commercial FD who will bring energy and technical expertise to this dynamic, diverse and highly creative company and to our Group Finance team.
Ideally, the successful candidate will have the following experiences and strengths:
- Qualified Finance Manager with demonstrable post‑qualified experience.
- Ability to work individually with senior Executive team members and handle sensitive and confidential information.
- Deep experience in leading FP&A teams and delivering long, complex budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Experience in translating complex financial outcomes into simple messages for non‑finance people, including quality Board reporting.
- Previous group experience in a multinational/multi‑currency business.
- Sound finance systems knowledge.
- Strong communication, influencing, collaboration and relationship‑building skills.
- Strong stakeholder management skills.
- Must be a team player but capable of working alone.
- Curious, robust and self‑motivated, driving improved financial insights within a business.
- Experience in a people‑services business/industry.
- Capable of maintaining a broad perspective while also extracting valuable insights from detailed information and large data sets.
- Fluent English language skills.
You will be highly analytical, with an ability to solve complex problems and a high level of commercial acumen. Excellent people leadership, communication, interpersonal and influencing skills will help you thrive in this role that drives strategic decision making.
WHAT YOU’LL GET
For the right candidate, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 27 days annual holiday, private healthcare, employer contributory pension, life assurance and income protection. We also offer a host of wellbeing benefits such as subsidised gym membership. Our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion includes learning opportunities around D&I, mentoring programmes and the opportunity for all to participate in active Employee‑Led Networks and associated events.
EMPLOYER STATEMENT
M+C Saatchi Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of any personal characteristic and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on merit.
All employee information is kept confidential in accordance with General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
LOCATION & WORKING MODE
Group company M+C Saatchi Group – London; remote status – hybrid; Employment type – full‑time.
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