Director Client Finance

Job title: Director Client Finance

Job description: Whenever and wherever you join us, you open a door to opportunities in any and all aspects of media, technology and innovation. We will encourage you to break the rules, knock things down, rebuild them better, and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Our success takes a team of people who are invested in our culture, each other’s success, and their own growth, and together we make Mindshare Canada the place where we do the best work of our career.

OVERVIEW:

Mindshare Canada is looking for a Director, to lead the Client Finance organization. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, you will be partnering with the senior management team on all aspects of the agency’s Client focused financial operations. This role will be responsible for Client revenue and (media) billing management and analysis with an emphasis on monthly Budget Control reviews, client PO control and Invoicing and Client reporting.

You will manage a team of Client Finance managers, analysts and coordinators with the ability to quickly dive from the “Bird’s eye view” down to the intricate detail. While being a solutions focused problem-solver, you choose to proactively engage and address opportunities and threats well ahead of time. You will also be called on for key decision-support analysis for the CFO, including client contract review and assistance with contract negotiations.

You will work within a highly collaborative and fast-paced environment to provide financial rigor and strategic insight around business decisions that affect both client portfolio and Mindshare. You will need to be able to balance the need for speed while maintaining a high level of integrity for our (SOX/ICFR) compliance protocols.

How you will make an IMPACT:

• Provide superior customer service to the various Client and Discipline leads
• Participate with Client Leads in the development and negotiation of client contracts, Annual/Quarterly scopes of work and client remuneration agreements alongside the CFO
• Partner with client leads to maintain a strong knowledge of client’s business models, contractual arrangements, revenue/hours (fee) reconciliations, key strengths, and opportunities. Active participation in the financial management of the clients, working with the Client Leadership team beyond the task; continually advise business partners and Finance Leadership on issues within client portfolios that impact the business.
• Manage and coordinate global client relationships by working closely with other Mindshare offices; become well versed in key global client commercial clauses to ensure local adherence
• Coordination and preparation of timely and accurate client reporting for both local and global clients
• Develop, train, and motivate staff while holding them accountable for achieving results
• Partner closely with GroupM Controllers Group and Shared Financial services (SFS) to ensure optimal and accurate client setup, client billing, recording and reporting of financial and accounting transactions.
• Proactively document, follow up, and closeout any budgeting, billing, invoicing, or payment issues that pertain to Clients or Mindshare business in a timely fashion
• Day-to-day interface with Finance and Procurement contacts at clients as well as Mindshare’s Client Leadership teams
• Frequent one-on-one meetings with CFO to discuss client operations.
• Partner closely with Mindshare’s parent company GroupM/WPP & SFS to maintain oversight over aged-receivables and ensure prompt cash collection.
• Play a key role in supporting the new business team with RFP responses and pricing as needed.
• Administration of Client and Employee setup in our financial system (Media Ocean)
• Monthly monitoring and reporting of Staff utilization (client billable/non-billable hours reporting)
• Administer and maintain strong rigour around internal controls framework (SOX/ICFR) and monitor operations, evolving the controls to adapt to changing internal/external regulatory environment
• Management of client and internal audits and liaison with client and internal auditors

What YOU bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance & Business Management (B.Com/BBA) with a minor/major in Economics; CMA certification is a plus
• 7+ years’ experience in the Client Finance function
• Prior Media Agency experience strongly preferred
• Strong knowledge of Finance and Accounting principles, including Financial Modeling, Budget and Profitability analysis, Variance Analysis, and Financial Reporting
• Strong technical, analytical and systems aptitude – Advanced Excel (Expert level), including power pivots, some vba coding, SQL/other programming language skills
• Financial systems implementation and administration experience an asset
• Experience working through contract negotiations with assistance
• Experience with internal/external auditors, conducting opening/closing audit meetings
• Impeccable attention to detail.
• Proven leadership, coaching and interpersonal skills with progressive managerial experience with teams of 5+ staff
• Effective communication and presentation skills with the ability to respond accurately and confidently to all inquiries
• Demonstrated ability to build and foster collaborative relationships, manage conflicting priorities and embrace change
• Ability to work efficiently and effectively in a fast-paced, time sensitive, environment
• Experience working within a matrix environment supporting multiple business stakeholders locally, regionally and globally.
• Excellent customer service and client management expertise
• Ability to works independently and function well under pressure; consistently paying attention to accuracy and quality of work
• Take initiative to add value, going beyond initial requests by anticipating follow up requests and proactively addressing them
• Agency experience with a large holding company (asset).

What WE bring:

• The opportunity to create and contribute to an environment where ‘Innovation as usual’ thrives in everyday work
• We foster a growth mindset by exhibiting adaptability, inclusivity, sincerity, curiosity, entrepreneurial spirit, and teamwork
• Extensive learning, training and development opportunities
• Comprehensive benefits program, including maternity/parental top-up program
• Agency that values wellness with programs that contribute to a healthy lifestyle
• Exposure to a global network of resources, strategic partnerships, and career opportunities
• Corporate social responsibility, actively participating to create a better community
• Great social environment where we work hard and play hard

ABOUT MINDSHARE:

Mindshare was born in Asia in 1997, a WPP start-up with a desire to change the media world. Now we are a global network with 116 offices in 86 countries and billings of $17.9bn. We are the largest agency in GroupM, WPP’s Media Investment Management arm, which is the #1 media holding group globally.

GroupM and all of its affiliates embrace and celebrate diversity and inclusivity. We are committed to creating a safe and respectful work environment and building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are a worldwide media agency network that represents global clients. The more inclusive and collaborative we are, the more great work we can create together.

Mindshare encourages all qualified candidates to apply and has an exceptional record of accommodating the needs of our staff. If you require accommodation at any stage of the application process, please let us know. Mindshare thanks all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

To learn more about Mindshare and our philosophy of Original Thinking, visit us at /canada and follow us on Twitter @mindshare, and .

Company: Mindshare

Expected salary:

Location: Toronto, ON

Job date: Sun, 25 Apr 2021 04:09:02 GMT