Chief Financial Officer – Ogilvy

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities.

Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore.

WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500.

Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 

Reports to: Chief Executive Officer, Netherlands

About Ogilvy:

Ogilvy, a global creative powerhouse founded in 1948, crafts iconic, culture-changing campaigns for leading brands. Leveraging "Borderless Creativity," we integrate expertise across Advertising, PR, Consulting, and Health, collaborating seamlessly across 120+ offices in nearly 90 countries. Our core values – Do the Right Thing, Do it Together, Do the Best Work of Our Lives – guide our pursuit of both commercial success and a fulfilling employee experience.

The Opportunity:

Ogilvy Netherlands specializes in Advertising (Branding, PR, Social, Influencer Marketing), Marketing Performance, and E-commerce solutions. Our team of 75 advertising professionals, along with the 13-member "Indomo" team focused on performance marketing, serve a prestigious roster of international and local clients, including The Coca-Cola Company, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, Milka, TPV, Sennheiser, AkzoNobel, and Unilever. Recognized as Agency of the Year in 2024 and shortlisted for numerous other accolades, Ogilvy Netherlands is a dynamic and thriving environment.

As CFO, you will play a crucial role in shaping the financial strategy and operational excellence of our business. Reporting directly to the CEO and serving on the Executive Committee, you will align financial objectives with broader business goals, driving growth, innovation, and long-term sustainability. This hands-on leadership role demands exceptional communication skills and a collaborative approach.

Responsibilities:

Your responsibilities encompass a broad range of financial and operational functions:

• Strategic Planning & Commercial Performance: Develop and execute financial strategies that support business growth and profitability. Analyze commercial performance, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide insightful recommendations to the leadership team.
• Financial Reporting & Compliance: Oversee all financial forecasting & reporting activities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with WPP group policies, GAAP, IFRS, and SOX regulations. Manage internal and external audits, address any findings, and implement remedial plans.
• Procurement & Contract Management: Take ownership of procurement within client contracts, collaborating with WPP to ensure favorable commercial terms and safeguarding agency interests. Partner with account leads in client negotiations to secure optimal rate cards.
• Operational Excellence & Resource Management: Lead operational optimization initiatives to foster an agile and efficient work environment. Implement effective resource planning strategies and drive continuous improvement across finance, operations, and HR functions.
• Team Leadership & Mentorship: Lead, mentor, and inspire a high-performing team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous development. Implement new systems and AI tools to enhance operational efficiency.
• Stakeholder Management: Collaborate closely with the local CEO, EMEA CFO/Finance team, Executive Committee members, WPP Shared Service Centre (SSC), internal auditors, and external stakeholders including statutory auditors, consultants, local authorities, lawyers, clients, suppliers, and banks.

The Person:

The ideal candidate embodies Ogilvy's values and demonstrates a strong commitment to ethical conduct, collaboration, and equity. They are a hands-on leader with the ability to unite teams and stakeholders to achieve financial objectives and operational excellence.

Essential Skills & Qualifications:

• Education: Fully qualified Finance Professional with relevant degrees and a rigorous understanding of IFRS, GAAP, Sarbanes-Oxley regulations, and agency operations. Knowledge of Dutch legislation and accounting requirements is highly preferred.
• Experience: Proven track record in senior financial and operational leadership roles within the advertising, marketing, or professional services industry, ideally in the Dutch market. Essential experience includes audit management, client contract negotiation, procurement, driving operational excellence within an agency setting, international experience in a multi-cultural environment, and significant people management experience.
• Skills: Hands-on finance and operations professional capable of managing multiple projects concurrently. Advanced skills in financial and operational software packages. Demonstrated ability to build, manage, and grow high-performing teams. Hands-on leadership style emphasizing collaboration and mentorship. Outstanding written and spoken communication skills. Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, particularly with international stakeholders. Fluency in English is essential; Dutch fluency is highly preferred.

Role Summary:

Provide financial and accounting leadership, ensuring accurate and timely reporting to Ogilvy EMEA. Maintain balance sheet accuracy, manage recoverables, and oversee internal, statutory, and SOX audits. Partner with the CEO and leadership team to drive agency performance through accurate forecasting, budgeting, and working capital management. Lead operational optimization for agile working and efficient resource planning. Oversee the HR function (where applicable), ensuring alignment with business objectives. Participate in ad-hoc projects as assigned by the Country CEO or Regional CFO. Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the finance, operations, and HR teams, leveraging new systems and AI tools.

Performance Indicators:

• Accuracy of overall P&L forecasting and budgeting and delivering against these
• Accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of reporting
• Agency compliance (statutory, internal, SOX)
• Cash flow management, WIP, and accrued revenue monitoring
• Client profitability and margin improvement
• Operational excellence in resource planning
• Team management, engagement scores, and capability development

This is not an exhaustive list. This role presents a compelling opportunity to join a leading creative agency and contribute to its continued success in the Dutch market.

 

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