Commercial Finance Director

About Us

IPG Mediabrands is the media and marketing solutions division of Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG). Mediabrands manages approximately $40 billion in marketing investment globally on behalf of its clients and provides strategic services and solutions across its award-winning, full-service agency networks UM and Initiative, as well as through its innovative marketing specialist companies Kinesso, Magna, Orion, Rapport, Healix, Mediabrands Content Studio, and the IPG Media Lab. Mediabrands clients include many of the world's most recognizable and iconic brands from a broad portfolio of industry sectors. The company employs more than 13,000 marketing experts in over 130 countries, representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website: www.ipgmediabrands.com.

Role Description

The Initiative UK FD holds a key leadership role, overseeing all financial aspects of the UK & Ireland markets and partnering with local, regional, and global leadership teams. This role involves developing and driving the Initiative UK & Ireland strategy, managing daily financial operations, and supporting the leadership team.

Initiative UK & Ireland employs media professionals across London, Leeds, and Dublin. The role primarily manages the finances of Initiative while also overseeing Reprise and Rapport.

Success factors include:

• Collaborating with the UK & Ireland MediaBrands CFO and Initiative UK & Ireland CEO, providing strategic financial insights and acting as a true business partner.
• Working with regional and global finance teams to align business priorities and decision-making.
• Operating effectively within a matrix organization, influencing through relational and technical skills rather than hierarchy.

The role involves working with the CFO to ensure the agency teams are aligned, overseeing the Initiative UK & Ireland P&L, and holding leaders accountable for their targets.

Key Responsibilities

Planning:

• Delivering budgets and strategic financial plans with ambitious yet realistic targets.
• Collaborating with agency leadership on full-year P&L budgets and forecasts, including monthly updates.
• Supporting leadership in developing investment plans to enhance brand reach and perception.
• Assisting in building growth strategies with clear ROI criteria.
• Preparing presentations to explain forecasts and budgets to senior stakeholders.

Reporting, Forecasting & Analysis:

• Overseeing financial reporting and analysis to identify opportunities and risks.
• Providing regular updates on business performance against targets.
• Reviewing monthly variance analyses and proposing actions.
• Managing salary, operating costs, and ensuring margin targets are met.
• Implementing systems for performance forecasting and variance correction.
• Partnering with leadership to increase revenue and control costs.

Operations:

• Collaborating with controllership to manage the balance sheet and mitigate risks.
• Providing insights on financial risks and escalation issues.

Clients, Leadership & Collaboration:

• Owning the agency P&L and working with client teams on profitability and cross-selling.
• Leading client contract negotiations and ensuring scope and fee alignment.
• Managing new business proposals and negotiations.
• Ensuring compliance with accounting standards, policies, and procedures.
• Mentoring direct reports and partnering with HR on salary and policy reviews.

Desired Skills & Experience

• Senior experience in managing commercial operations, preferably in an agency or media environment within a matrix structure.
• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA.
• Hands-on experience in business partnering and stakeholder management.
• Strong relationship-building, resilience, and communication skills.
• Strategic insight, influence, negotiation, and collaboration skills.

Employee Transparency

We celebrate differences and are committed to an inclusive culture. We do not discriminate based on age, disability, race, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. For confidential adjustments during recruitment, contact Jess at Jess.Richardson@mbww.com.

The Perks

Our benefits include flexible leave, free meals, early finish Fridays, retail discounts, electric vehicle schemes, wellbeing programs, financial benefits, parental leave, and more, designed to support your development and well-being.