Senior Finance Business Partner

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. 

Why we're hiring:

We're looking for a pivotal leader to join our Enterprise Technology (ET) Finance team as a Senior Finance Manager /Senior Finance Business Partner (SFBP). This role is central to driving the ongoing transformation within ET and ensuring robust financial management. You'll be a key partner to the ET function and senior finance leadership across WPP’s global Networks and operating companies, directly influencing efficiency, accuracy, and strategic alignment across all ET Finance activities.

Reporting to the ET Finance Director, you will lead critical projects, deliver in-depth financial analysis, and spearhead process improvements. The ideal candidate will possess a strong foundation in accounting and financial modelling, experience with large and complex data sets, and proven project management skills, particularly within a transformation context. We seek a proactive individual who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic, and global environment, with a passion for driving change and a proven ability to deliver results.

What you'll be doing:

As a Senior Finance Manager /SFBP, you will play a crucial role in shaping the financial landscape of ET by:

Driving Transformation & Innovation:

• Lead and manage critical ET Finance transformation initiatives, ensuring strategic alignment with WPP's overarching objectives.
• Champion opportunities to streamline processes, elevate data quality, and enhance financial reporting capabilities.
• Pioneer the adoption of new technologies and methodologies to boost efficiency and effectiveness within ET Finance.
• Act as a key change agent, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team, including the strategic use of AI and automation.

Strategic Financial Management:

• Oversee the successful execution of ET's financial strategy.
• Develop comprehensive financial plans, track progress, identify savings opportunities, and proactively mitigate risks and issues.
• Collaborate seamlessly with diverse stakeholders across the organization (Finance, Tax, Treasury, Technology, Procurement, Operations) to ensure integrated and seamless delivery.
• Present clear, actionable financial performance reports to a range of senior stakeholders.

Advanced Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Lead the strategic overhaul and implementation of ET's budgeting process, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and strong strategic alignment.
• Manage the end-to-end annual budget and forecast cycles, taking critical responsibility for meticulous data input, validation, and maintenance within the group consolidation (SAP BFC) system to ensure data integrity and consolidated financial views across all central and agency ET spend for the entire Group.
• Serve as a key influencer in cross-functional budget discussions, partnering with global discipline leads to translate strategic initiatives into robust financial plans. Collaborate extensively with agency finance teams to harmonize financial reporting, ensure data consistency, and align with global budgetary frameworks.
• Proactively manage financial performance through consistent engagement with budget owners and finance partners. This includes continuous tracking of run rates, rigorous monitoring of savings initiatives, and the identification and execution of opportunities for spend consolidation to drive efficiency and and cost optimization.
• Develop sophisticated financial models using extensive datasets to support strategic initiatives like investment analysis, cost efficiency, and intercompany recharges.
• Conduct comprehensive financial analysis (e.g., trend, variance, utilization) to identify and capitalize on improvement opportunities.
• Build and maintain robust financial models for budgeting, forecasting, and investment appraisal.
• Present compelling financial reports to senior leadership, delivering clear insights into business performance and facilitating informed decision-making.

Stakeholder Engagement & Influence:

• Effectively communicate with and build strong relationships with global stakeholders at all levels, fostering a collaborative environment.
• Drive cross-functional collaboration, sharing knowledge and expertise to achieve shared objectives.
• Prepare and deliver impactful presentations to senior management, articulating complex financial information with clarity.
• Maintain an agile and adaptable approach to evolving business requirements and priorities, successfully delivering on strategic objectives and ad-hoc projects.

Process Improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and systems, leveraging technology and best practices.
• Develop and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control.
• Document and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Stay abreast of industry best practices and emerging trends in finance and technology, sharing knowledge with the team.

What you'll need:

Essential:

• Fully qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CA).
• Expert-level knowledge of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).
• Proven track record of successfully leading and managing complex financial transformation projects in fast-paced, global environments, driving significant process improvements and technology implementations under challenging deadlines.
• Extensive experience in financial reporting, particularly with large, complex, multi-currency group consolidations and intricate financial reporting issues (preferably for UK and/or US listed entities).
• Exceptional analytical acumen, meticulous attention to financial detail, and sound judgment in decision-making.
• Demonstrated strong project management capabilities, consistently meeting multiple deadlines under pressure.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

Highly Desirable:

• Prior experience in Public Accounting, preferably with a Big 4 firm.
• Hands-on experience with enterprise-level ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle).
• Proficiency in managing large datasets and utilizing data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI).
• Solid understanding of IT finance principles and best practices.

Personal Attributes:

• Highly proactive, results-driven, and self-motivated, demonstrating a strong sense of ownership.
• Proven leadership and team management skills, adept at guiding teams through dynamic, fast-paced projects.
• Exceptional critical thinking and strategic problem-solving abilities.
• Superior interpersonal and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to influence, persuade, and build consensus among diverse stakeholders.
• A collaborative team player who can also work autonomously, fostering a positive and productive environment.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

#LI-Hybrid

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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