Commercial Manager

Wunderman Thompson; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading creative agency based in London is seeking a Commercial Manager to enhance financial success and operational efficiency. This role involves managing client profitability, supporting financial planning, and ensuring compliance with contract regulations. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and the ability to communicate effectively across various teams. The position offers a hybrid work environment with in-office collaboration.

Benefits

Hybrid work model

Career growth opportunities

Collaborative team environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a commercial finance, financial analysis, or similar role.
• Proven ability to thrive in a demanding environment within a large agency.
• Experience supporting procurement negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Manage multi-national, multi-agency client portfolio.
• Prepare scopes of work (SOWs) and internal reports.
• Monitor compliance with contractual terms and track KPIs.

Skills

Commercial acumen

Analytical skills

Relationship-building skills

Presentation skills

Active listening skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

Professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, CIMA)

Job description

Who We Are

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever-evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end‑to‑end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Commercial Manager

Department: Commercial Finance

Reports to: Commercial Lead

Location: London, UK

Role Summary

The Commercial Manager is a key contributor to the financial success and operational efficiency of VML. Based in our vibrant London office, this position requires a highly motivated individual with strong commercial acumen, analytical skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex business environments.

Working closely with the Commercial Lead, you will play a crucial role in managing client profitability, supporting financial planning and analysis, ensuring adherence to financial regulations, and acting as a vital link between various internal and external stakeholders. This role demands an analytical thinker who can translate financial data into actionable insights, contributing to profitable growth with a specific focus on client P&L management and contract compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Health and Client P&L Management

• Support the Commercial Lead in managing a multi‑national, multi‑agency client portfolio, contributing to accurate financial reporting and commercial acumen.
• Assist in delivering live forecasts and managing quarterly budgets, ensuring alignment with client objectives and agency profitability targets.
• Prepare scopes of work (SOWs), collaborating with Delivery Leads and Senior Client Leads to ensure accurate costing and resource allocation.
• Prepare internal reports on utilisation, profitability, recoverability, and growth targets, providing insights to senior management.
• Support client teams with resourcing files and PowerBi reports, ensuring accurate information on resource allocation by client. Assist in reviewing freelance resource requests, ensuring all incremental revenue spend is both strictly necessary and covered by client budgets.
• Support procurement liaison and negotiations, assisting in securing favourable terms and maximizing value for the agency.
• Complete Group, EMEA, and Global reporting requirements, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all levels.
• Collaborate with experts to develop and market our offerings and capabilities, contributing to the agency's growth and market positioning.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, adhering to all internal and external reporting requirements. Maintain strict compliance with SOX regulations and internal control procedures.
• Internal and external audits – prepare all revenue related information for internal and external auditors and promptly respond to all related queries.

Contract Negotiation and Compliance Management

• Support liaison with subject matter experts, including legal counsel, during negotiations, protecting the agency's interests and ensuring compliance.
• Monitor compliance with contractual terms, tracking KPIs and assessing their impact on revenue. Proactively identify and elevate any contractual issues or discrepancies.

Stakeholder Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the agency, including account teams, NWC department, and board executives.
• Effectively communicate financial information and insights to both financial and non‑financial audiences.

Process Improvement

• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the commercial function. Support the implementation of streamlined workflows and optimized resource allocation, with an eye on emerging technologies (AI etc).

Desired Skills and Experiences

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. A professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, CIMA) is a plus.
• Minimum of 3‑5 years of experience in a commercial finance, financial analysis, or similar role, preferably within a creative agency or related industry.
• Proven ability to thrive in a demanding environment within a large agency or group company.
• Strong relationship‑building skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals at all levels, from junior staff to C‑suite executives, navigating diverse personalities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with cross‑functional teams, contributing to a shared vision and delivering exceptional work for internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation and active listening skills, enabling clear communication and effective action planning.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical abilities, and a commitment to accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Proven ability to translate complex financial information into actionable insights for non‑financial audiences.
• Proven experience acting as a liaison between account teams and billers, resolving discrepancies and ensuring smooth operations.
• Experience producing and reviewing client performance dashboards and key management information, effectively translating financial data for non‑financial colleagues.
• Experience supporting procurement negotiations and contributing to favourable terms.
• Ability to liaise effectively with legal counsel and other subject matter experts.
• Familiarity with UK financial regulations and reporting requirements.

Additional Information

• This role is based in London with a 3‑day per week office working requirement, fostering collaboration and team spirit.

Ready to make your mark?

If you're a proactive, analytical, and commercially‑minded individual looking for an opportunity to grow your career within a leading global agency, we encourage you to apply! Join VML and help us shape the future of connected brands.

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 an average of four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP (VML) is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.

VML is a WPP Agency.