Finance Operations Associate Director, Global Commercial

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com.

10386 - Finance Operations Associate Director, Global Commercial

Role Summary and Impact 

Team overview

WPP Media, part of WPP plc (FTSE and NASDAQ listed), is a leading global media investment group with over 40,000 employees operating in over 60 countries. Our client-facing media agencies include EssenceMediacom, Mindshare, T&Pm, and Wavemaker.

The Global Commercial team plays a crucial role in driving the financial and operational success of WPP Media's international client accounts. We manage contract negotiations, revenue forecasting, profitability analysis, and contract compliance while supporting profitable growth. The team collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, including client teams and finance, as well as external partners such as our clients' media and procurement teams.

Role Overview

Act as the dedicated FinOps Lead for Amazon and OpenDoor. Responsibilities span billing and reconciliation, hubbing arrangements, FX and tax treatment, reporting and audit support, alongside day-to-day engagement with the Amazon Operations Lead on both commercial and operational matters. The role reports to the Finance Operations Director and works alongside the Finance Operations Manager who provides analytical and operational support across the account.

Key Responsibilities

Client Relationship and Single Point of Contact

· Serve as the single coordinated counterpart for the Amazon Operations Lead client to cover their commercial and finance operations queries, streamlining the flow of information so they have one singular point of contact.

· Lead the FinOps bi-weekly client cadence covering agenda setting, action management and escalation handling, ensuring SLA compliance on issue resolution, handling issues end-to-end where required.

Commercial Interface and FinOps Integration

· Work closely with the dedicated OpenDoor Commercial team, comprising a Senior Director, Associate Director and Senior Analyst, who retain ownership of commercial management and contract administration, to ensure consistency and appropriate resolution of issues between the two functions. Finance Operations and Billing

· Own complex hub billing arrangements across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring accurate treatment of withholding tax, sales tax and FX exposure for Amazon and OpenDoor.

· Manage PO processes, invoice register administration, approval workflows and reconciliation of central buys back to the local markets.

Reporting, Analysis and Forecasting

· Maintain and optimise budget, forecast and billing variance reporting for the account, surfacing financial performance insight to internal stakeholders and the client.

· Develop and refine reporting templates and automation initiatives, ensuring consistency across markets and reducing manual handling.

Controls, Compliance and Team Support 

· Establish and maintain internal controls and risk assessments across the account, supporting audit cycles and SOX evidence requirements where applicable.

· Direct the Finance Operations Manager on Amazon and OpenDoor workstreams and partner with the Director on process design, system integration and best practice rollout.

Skills & Experience

• Strong commercial acumen combined with technical finance operations expertise across hub billing, multi-currency FX, withholding tax and VAT.
• Proven ability to manage senior client relationships independently, handling complex and sensitive conversations with confidence. 
• Experience interpreting and applying contract terms in client-facing roles, with working knowledge of MSA structures and audit clauses.
• Strong stakeholder management across internal teams, local markets and client procurement and finance counterparts. 
• Continuous improvement mindset with experience leading automation and process redesign initiatives. 
• Effective project management with the ability to operate across overlapping workstreams in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work autonomously with awareness of wider business context and approval processes.
• Capacity to direct junior staff and provide constructive feedback while remaining hands-on across the operational detail.

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification or equivalent practical experience.
• Progressive experience spanning commercial management and finance operations, ideally with exposure to both disciplines in a single role. Media agency experience is highly desirable.
• Experience working with major e-commerce, retail or technology clients is preferable. Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying contract terms in a client-facing role.
• Advanced proficiency in Excel including financial modelling, variance analysis and data manipulation.

Life at WPP Media & Benefits 

Our passion for shaping the next era of media is powered by our commitment to Be Extraordinary, investing in our employees to inspire transformational creativity. We also Lead Optimistically, firmly believing in and Championing Growth and Development for every individual. This commitment allows WPP Media employees to leverage the extensive global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, build vital professional connections, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising.  

We Create an Open environment built on trust and respect, where everyone feels they belong and has opportunities to progress. This inclusive culture is fostered through a variety of employee resource groups and frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our comprehensive benefits package reflects this commitment, including competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.  

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to characteristics. We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection in this open and supportive environment. 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.  Please note that while our philosophy is the same across WPP, benefits may vary by office/country. 

Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location 

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While we appreciate all applications received, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.  

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