Commercial Finance Partner at Publicis Groupe

Overview

• The Commercial Finance Partner will work closely with the Agency/Business Unit Managing Director and the Commercial Director to envision and execute the Agency’s/Business Unit’s strategic plan to grow Revenues and Contribution Margin in line with Groupe targets.
• The ability to communicate with and work with several different teams is essential, as this role deals with a shared service centre, Agency/Business Unit management and a regional finance team.
• The Commercial Finance Partner shares and supports our company’s core values as the cornerstone of their work ethic & actively builds them into their team dynamic & way of work.

Responsibilities

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Business partner
• Controlling, budgeting and internal control functions
• Financial Management
• Finance Team People management

Business Partner

• Partner with the Agency/Business Unit Managing Director to execute business strategies.
• Assist the business with pricing, client contract management, supplier management, resource planning and all other financial and operations issues.
• Support business in negotiations by providing financial information (pricing, cost of resources and teams, targeted profitability); working and dealing directly with clients as and when necessary.
• Assist with RFP’s to protect the company’s interests and help close the deal with all pitches.
• Provide finance training to the Client Services team for job management, client management, and revenue forecasting.
• Work with the business to monitor new business growth pipeline and client health assessment.

Client Reporting

• Catalyst for change – efficiencies, standardization, quality, operational agility and automation. The finance team should be the shining example of that.
• Advises on the business situation, increasing revenue, reducing costs and accelerating cash collection from clients
• Helps to define the most optimal way to deliver services to ensure quality service to clients and profitability for the Groupe

Budgeting and internal control functions

• Aware of and track risk and advise leadership team on an ongoing basis of status and recommended course of action.
• Budgeting, monthly forecasting and handling of all analyses/comments to be provided to the Agency/Business Unit Leadership team.
• Monitoring client profitability and working with the business to address any low-margin or non-profitable clients
• Ensuring compliance with the Publicis Groupe operational and financial policies and processes including the use of standard toolsets and methodology, in accordance with the Publicis Corporate Policies
• Compliance with FMC requirements defined by the Groupe Internal Audit
• Working with the Job & Revenue Teams in managing the working capital improvement including the reduction of overdue receivables and of WIP, the acceleration of the billing process & the analysis of cash generation.
• Work with the Payroll Finance Team and Talent Team on Employee related matters including approval of hires and contracts.

Financial Management

• Organize the Finance function to achieve smooth running of the day-to-day Finance operations providing relevant and effective support to the business teams
• Instituting and/or maintaining sound financial processes and systems to facilitate optimum control and accurate time charging, as well as tracking of all jobs, to improve cash flow; overall, to improve the speed and accuracy of billings, the profitability of time cost-based work, and the rapidity of client payment
• Accurate and on-time production of monthly management accounts

Finance Team People management

• Manage the Finance Team and ensure clarity of objectives within the team and consistency in ways of working
• Ensure that all members of the finance team receive appropriate professional and job training and support those taking external professional qualifications.
• Motivates and manages the team to achieve excellent job performance.
• Responsible for completing or supporting others complete the annual performance appraisal within the finance team.
• Ensure that the finance team integrates with other teams in the business

Qualifications

• 4+ years experience in a similiar position, preferably within a Marketing / Advertising industry
• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related feild (Honours or CIMA / CA(SA) preferred)
• Knowledge of Excel, financial systems and business software
• Understanding of financial modelling, business case development and performance metrics