Commercial Finance Business Partner

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 and 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 more than 130 countries representing the full diversity of humanity. For more information, please visit our website:

Responsibilities include:

• Working closely with the Assistant FD and agency as a blue stream finance business partner, owning the Initiative and Rapport P&L and working closely with SBUs that service blue stream clients.
• Working with agency leadership to prepare accurate full year P&L budgets and revenue forecasts as well as monthly flash forecasts
• Working with the UK&I Reporting Team to provide variance analysis and other adhoc information as required by EMEA FP&A/RCT.
• Working with the Financial Control Team to escalate matters within the agencies as required (e.g. overdue debt and unbilled media).
• Assist in the preparation of PowerBI dashboards to explain forecasts and budgets to the Initiative and Mediabrands Executive Leadership Team
• Analysing risk in terms of revenue growth and TBG targets as well as working with the business to ensure robust cost control
• Organise and lead (along side the Commercial Finance Manager) monthly revenue review meetings with relevant stakeholders within the business
• Working closely with the Management Accountant (reporting team) to ensure staff allocations and billability of employees across all crafts are up to date to ensure new hire/replacement requests are validated before being sent to comp committee
• Prepare and present a monthly management information pack including YTD P&L performance vs budget/forecast, a P&L flash update and a debtors/WIP/unbilled summary for escalation.
• Client profitability analysis and management – prepare regular client profitability summaries to share with the senior agency teams and partner with the business leads to ensure accounts are profitable and/or come up with a plan for profitability improvement.
• Contract management – support the FD and agency leads with contract and scope review, timesheet analysis, fee proposals and operational guidance communications including SBUs that service blue stream clients.
• Prepare new business FTE proposals and support the FD in putting together an overall blue stream proposal.
• Manage the onboarding process for new clients including credit insurance and system set ups.
• Provide guidance and support to two direct reports; Commercial Finance Manager and Media Finance Manager.

Skills/Experience:

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Commercial/business partnering experience required
• Experience of people management
• Hyperion experience desirable
• Media industry experience desirable
• Strong excel skills

Employee Transparency

At IPG Mediabrands, we celebrate differences and believe this makes us stronger. IPG Mediabrands are equal-opportunity employers committed to championing an inclusive culture that provides a sense of belonging for all our employees. We do not discriminate against any applicant based on age, disability, race, colour, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, belief, marital status or any other characteristic protected by law.

Please reach out to our Talent Inclusion Specialist Jess at [email protected]if you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding any adjustments that would ensure our recruitment process is accessible for you. Please note requesting a reasonable adjustment will not affect your application.

The Perks

We aim to provide all our people with a supportive and fun work environment where you can develop your full potential and benefit from the broad range of opportunities within the agency. When you join us, we want to make sure you feel valued – and that you are rewarded for your fantastic work. So, we also offer a range of benefits:

• Flexi–leave, with 25 days annual leave to be taken as minimum. In addition to your holiday entitlement, the office usually closes between Christmas & New Year
• Free breakfast and free lunch
• Early finish Fridays
• Core Hours (Mon-Thurs, flexible start/finish times)
• Retail discounts
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifices car scheme
• Wellbeing programme, including Headspace & flu jabs
• Interest free season ticket loan
• Paid time off for Volunteering
• Group Income Protection
• Life Assurance
• Private Medical Insurance or Health Cash Plan (dependent on level)
• Group Personal Pension Plan with matched contributions from 3-6%
• Generous Parental Leave & Pay
• Independent mortgage advice
• Financial education
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free eye tests
• Flexible benefits including Dental, Travel insurance, Cycle to Work, Gym Discounts and many more!