Commercial Compliance Manager

Overview of role

We’re looking for a Commercial Finance Manager to become part of the EssenceMediacom UK finance team, reporting to the Commercial Compliance Associate Director. This is a key role, with an overriding objective to help the Commercial Compliance Director ensure that the agency is complying with all aspects of its contractual commitments. This includes working with the commercial team to ensure that contractual provisions in terms of charging mechanisms and notifications to clients are managed accurately and in a timely manner. The other key aspect of the role is to ensure that systems, controls and processes are robust and to eliminate any risk of revenue loss.

Reporting of the role

Commercial Compliance Associate Director

3 best things about the job

• Great exposure to commercial strategy and analysis in the UK’s number one media agency.
• Fast paced and challenging, you will be helping the finance team make a step change in its output and value to the business.
• Working in a highly sociable team with a passion for delivering amazing work and also having fun.

Measures of success

In three months, you would have:

• Established an understanding of the different aspects of what EssenceMediacom does and how the media transaction cycle flows.
• Become familiar with different elements of the client reporting cycle and contractual requirements.
• Attended all relevant commercial training (commercial contracts/negotiation/media introduction).
• Supported Commercial Compliance Associate Director in running a client audit.

In six months, you would have:

• Co-ordinated a client audit.
• Established key relationships internally and within GroupM.
• Prepared and communicated Client contractual returns of rebates, SAC, EPD’s and Unbilled media.
• Started to build a network of contacts within client finance and procurement teams.

In 12 months, you would have:

• Run a best practice session for a client account team around understanding of commercial contracts and compliance.
• Identified an area of potential revenue loss and established appropriate mitigation.
• Assessed current control processes and opportunities for improvement.

Responsibilities of the role

The key responsibilities of the role include:

• Commercial Analysis

Working with the commercial team to apply the correct interpretation of EssenceMediacom UK’s contractual commitments and reporting thereof, including liaison with affiliate entities. Link between the commercial team and finance in ensuring that commercial terms are correctly applied in terms of charging methodology across all income types. Supporting the Commercial Compliance Associate Director in ensuring that new commercial models are compliant and have the required level of governance. Provide ad hoc commercial analysis for the Commercial Compliance Associate Director.

• Commercial Compliance

To co-ordinate client audits, liaising with third party audit firms, and ensuring that information required is supplied in the correct format and on a timely basis. To work with the UK, EMEA and Global commercial teams to maintain the compliance schedule and ensure that it is up to date and that changes are communicated to the relevant account teams immediately. To review the existing control processes and suggest improvements. Responsible for all client notifications and declarations.

• Other

To support the Commercial Compliance Associate Director in analysing the transactional processes for all income types, as well as client contractual terms and ensure that all income opportunities are captured. To support the Commercial Compliance Associate Director in assessing the robustness of controls around income generating transactions and provide recommendations for enhancement. To provide training of the wider agency in commercial compliance related matters. Communicate to the agency/to appropriate personnel any new financial and commercial group policies and ensure these are being implemented.

What you will need

• Business Degree, or equivalent experience in a Finance role.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and their practical application.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including the ability to interact professionally with all levels of the organisation.
• Exceptional organisational skills and ability to multitask and prioritise effectively.
• Ability to review and interpret terms within client contractual agreements.
• Proactive approach, a logical and analytical thought process, with good attention to detail and high level of accuracy in their output.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight timelines.
• Highly proficient with Excel (Advanced excel skills).
• Understanding of the media and communications industry. Direct experience is desirable not essential.

About EssenceMediacom

We are a global communications agency leading with breakthrough thinking, building explosive growth for brands, and helping our clients see the bigger picture. Our daring global network of 10,000 influencers help our clients breach traditional boundaries in media, uncover novel ideas, and unleash exponential growth. EssenceMediacom challenges conventional thinking to build, propel, and supercharge our clients’ businesses at scale and lead our industry in critical areas such as diversity, equity, inclusion, and sustainability. EssenceMediacom understands that our people are tasked with big goals: building breakthrough growth for brands and leading with breakthrough thinking in our industry. Our people are at the heart of this work because their ideas will enable us to decode the intersections of people, content, and technology to bring our aspirations to life. Our success is down to our eclectic, diverse, and talented people. EssenceMediacom is a place for us to grow our careers and expand our horizons. EssenceMediacom is committed to building an agency culture that supports our people, puts diversity at the forefront of our operations, and creates opportunity for all. This collective culture will be our “new power” where ideas are freely exchanged, and collaboration is actively encouraged in a place where you can innovate in our hyperconnected world.

*Although we cannot make guarantees, we welcome conversations about flexible working for all roles at EssenceMediaCom London* (Please note this is a UK based role and requires individuals to have the right to work in this location)