Commercial Business Partner Global Central Costs

M&C Saatchi

Commercial Business Partner Global Central Costs

M&C Saatchi Group has gone through exciting and significant change since 2018.

The Finance team has played a leading role in this turnaround, with the rest of the company looking to them to bring about the change. The business has ambitious growth plans.

Due to continued growth and promotions within our finance team, we now have a permanent opportunity for a Global Commercial Business Partner Central Costs. This is an ideal opportunity for a talented, high-energy candidate to make a mark in the Finance team.

Location – the role will be based in our Golden Square office, 3 days a week, with 2 working from home.

About the Role:

The role is an essential part of the Group Finance team for M&C Saatchi, supporting visibility and management of group costs globally. The role will ensure:

1. That cost centre owners are provided with cost management information in a timely and accurate manner.
2. Cost drivers are well understood, informing opportunities to further improve efficiency.
3. Proactive management of financial risks and opportunities to improve margin and cost certainty.
4. Cost centre owners are equipped with a confident and in-depth knowledge of their cost responsibilities.
5. Recharges are well understood at both a Group and Agency level.
6. Partner with the Finance SSC in Cape Town to deliver robust reporting of Group legal entities and tax compliance.
7. Support wider group accounting activities and initiatives supporting the success of the whole team.

Core responsibilities:

1. Commercial business partner across global central costs of £35m including partnering with the Group COO and others.
2. Through detailed analytics and reporting, enhance proactive cost management and support to business leaders throughout budget and forecast cycles.
3. Lead on the simplification of Group and Agency recharges.
4. Drive Group entity balance sheet and cashflow optimisation.
5. Contribute to investment business case development and oversight of cost saving programs.
6. Complete applicable tax and VAT returns.
7. Partner and be an advocate for our captive financial SSC to widen transactional scope into value add tasks and processes.
8. Team management of one direct report.
9. Be an active part of the Group finance team and lead the development of a professional and high performing team.

About You (experience and qualifications)

The role requires an experienced accountant who brings energy and an inquisitive nature to this dynamic, diverse and highly creative company. You will need to be able to influence senior leadership stakeholders, partner with cost centre owners and work across the whole global finance team.

You’ll bring with you (experience and qualifications):

1. CIMA – either professionally qualified or well on your way to qualification.
2. Experience in working with an offshore finance SSC.
3. A thorough understanding of cost centre management and reporting.
4. Proven technical accounting experience and reporting for group entities.
5. Proven supplier contract evaluation, inclusive of pricing and cashflow.
6. Strong stakeholder management skills.
7. Fluent English language skills. Other languages are an advantage.
8. Knowledge of the Media or Digital sectors an advantage, but not a requirement.

You’re Good At:

1. Communicating, influencing, collaboration and relationship-building across global cultures.
2. Paying as a team but are also capable of working alone.
3. Being curious, robust, and self-motivated, driving improved financial accounting discipline within a business.
4. Desire to drive improvements in the end-to-end financial accounting and reporting process.

WHAT YOU’LL GET

For the right candidate, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 27 days annual holiday, private healthcare, employer contributory pension, and life assurance.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sees us offer inclusive bank holidays, learning opportunities around DE&I, targeted mentoring programmes and the opportunity to participate in active Employee Led Networks and associated events.

ABOUT M&C SAATCHI GROUP

M&C Saatchi Group is a creative company that connects specialist expertise, fuelled by data, technology, and culture, to help clients navigate, create, and lead meaningful change. The Group operates across five core divisions: Connected Creativity; Passion Marketing; Global & Social Issues; Brand, Experience & Innovation; and Performance Media. Headquartered in London, operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK, Europe, US, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Australia. Listed on the FTSE AIM index of the London Stock Exchange, in the Technology, Media and Telecoms sector.

M&C Saatchi Group’s two principles, Diversity of Thought and Brutal Simplicity of Thought, guide how they build teams and solve problems.

M&C Saatchi Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer which does not discriminate, celebrates diversity and bases all hiring and promotion decisions solely on talent and capability, without regard for any personal characteristics.

All employee information is kept confidential according to General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).