Commercial Finance Director

Ogilvy; London; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global marketing agency in London is seeking a Commercial Director to lead its finance department. The candidate will drive commercial strategies, oversee profitability improvements, and manage a team of 24 professionals, promoting an inclusive and innovative workplace culture. Strong leadership and deep commercial finance experience are essential for this pivotal role.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day

Bupa Private Healthcare from day 1

Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave

Flexible Working Model

1.5:1 Matching Pension Structure

Wellbeing allowances and activities

Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience from an advertising, media, or professional services background.
• Proven ability to lead and mentor large finance teams of at least 24.
• Exceptional analytical skills, including financial modeling and profitability analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial thinking and strategies for the UK Finance department.
• Drive profitability and margin improvement initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and group policies.

Skills

Commercial Finance Expertise

Strategic Partnership

Leadership

Analytical Skills

Process Innovation

Results Orientation

Education

Qualified Accountant

Job description

Overview

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About Ogilvy

Ogilvy has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity - innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

Our UK Finance department, a vibrant community of 60+ professionals, is an enablement function dedicated to ensuring compliant, efficient, and profitable growth. We are commercial partners to the business, constantly seeking creative solutions, challenging the status quo, and optimising technology to support our ambitious growth strategy.

About the Role

Commercial Director - Ogilvy UK

This is a pivotal leadership role within the UK Finance department, reporting directly to the CFO. As the Commercial Director, you will be the commercial heartbeat of our finance community, embedding best financial practice and strategic commercial thinking across the entire Ogilvy UK business. You will work side-by-side with the Group Finance Director and the Finance Director Specialist Businesses, all reporting into the CFO.

You will be a leader who champions individual and team growth, adapts to evolving business requirements, and fosters trusted relationships both within finance and across our wider client and procurement teams. This role models Ogilvy's values, Do the right thing; Do the best work of our lives and Do it together - ensuring an environment that is inclusive, promotes equity, and celebrates diversity.

Why Ogilvy? A Strategic Move for Your Finance Career.

Joining Ogilvy isn't just about working for an iconic brand; it's about being at the financial helm of a dynamic, growth-oriented enterprise that consistently delivers impact at scale.

This is an opportunity to apply your financial expertise to a business that is not only creatively inspiring but strategically forward-thinking. If you're looking to elevate your career in a role where your commercial insights directly fuel groundbreaking work, Ogilvy could be your next move.

What You'll Do

• Strategic Client Partnership: Act as the primary link between the finance department and the client leadership community of Ogilvy UK.
• Commercial Leadership: Lead commercial thinking, from spearheading new business pitches and pricing initiatives to ensuring effective Net Working Capital (NWC) management, accurate billings, and compliant revenue recognition.
• Profitability & Margin Improvement: Drive margin enhancement by setting appropriate client profitability targets, monitoring performance, and implementing robust action plans.
• Resource Allocation & Growth Planning: Collaborate closely with the Group Finance Director on staff cost budgets, client capacity planning, and allocating financial resources to align with and drive the UK business growth strategy.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead the UK Commercial Team (24 people), comprising four direct reports (two Senior Commercial Managers, a Lead Commercial WIP Manager, and a Revenue Compliance Lead). You will have overall responsibility for the commercial managers and commercial WIP managers, and the autonomy to shape your team structure and reporting lines to best achieve objectives.
• Process & System Evolution: Bring fresh ideas to the team and wider business, evolving internal reporting systems, challenging the status quo, and optimising processes for efficiency and compliance.
• Reporting & Compliance: Oversee all reporting requirements related to client contracts, revenue recognition, and relevant balance sheet accounts (WIP, Accrued Revenue, Deferred Revenue, Trade Debtors). Ensure adherence to regulations and group policies.
• KPI Focus & Influence: Focus the business and commercial team on relevant KPIs, report against them, and actively influence outcomes to achieve targets.
• Insight Delivery: Ensure the commercial team delivers timely, accurate, relevant, and useful information and insight, tailored to the audience and message.

What You'll Need

You're a highly experienced, commercially astute, and strategically-minded finance leader with a proven track record of driving financial performance in a fast-paced environment.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is a Qualified Accountant: With significant post-qualification experience, ideally from an advertising, media, or project-based professional services background.
• Possesses deep Commercial Finance Expertise: You understand client profitability, pricing strategies, and contract negotiation inside out.
• Is a natural Strategic Partner: You build strong, trusted relationships with senior client leadership and non-finance stakeholders, influencing decisions with clear, actionable insights.
• Is an Exceptional Leader: You have a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop large finance teams (specifically a team of 24), fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture, with experience in shaping team structures.
• Is an Analytical Powerhouse: You excel at financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis, translating complex data into compelling narratives.
• Is a Process & System Innovator: You're proactive in challenging the status quo, identifying improvements, and embracing technology for efficiency.
• Is Results-Oriented: Driven to achieve financial targets and contribute directly to business growth.
• Is Values-Driven: Committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment, embodying Ogilvy's core values; Do the right thing; Do the best work of our lives & Do it together

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day
• Bupa Private Healthcare from day 1
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave
• We have a Flexible Working Model with core working hours: 10am - 4pm
• A 1.5:1 Matching Pension Structure
• Wellbeing and Health: Up to £25.00 per month towards physical or online exercise class membership, Unmind membership, LifeWorks tool and annual eye tests and development budgets and Wellbeing incentives and activities throughout the year
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance

At Ogilvy, our people are at the heart of what we do: a creative agency that sparks game-changing ideas across culture and business through collaboration, integrity, and a celebration of self-expression.

We believe in building powerful teams with purpose - and we relentlessly curate transformative initiatives that make our commitment to fairness, and equity a reality.

Our ultimate mission is to leave a positive impact on the world, creating a better future for all, while supporting and uplifting the global communities we serve. This is central to our mantra of Borderless Creativity.

Ogilvy 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.

If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. Please note that this contact is only for candidates who are requesting accommodation. Emails for other purposes, including application status requests, will not receive a response.