FP&A Manager

We’re looking for a talented, high-energy Finance Manager to drive Group analysis and reporting. This role will report into the Group Commercial FD as part of the Group Finance team and will play an essential part of the M&C Saatchi Group strategy to drive high-margin growth. This role will work with a wider support team who are based in South Africa on a hybrid working basis. Please note this role will be a 3-6 month FTC.

The Group FP&A Manager is a key role in the commercial arm of the Group Finance team. This role will support the Commercial FD to manage, control and develop the Group reporting cycles and enhance the business's commercial acumen by helping shape a commercial finance culture and developing models and systems to support this initiative. Key stakeholders are the Plc Board, including the Group CEO and CFO, as well as the regional and divisional heads in the UK, Asia, EMEA, Australia and the Americas.

Success for this role will include:

• Streamlining and improving the current reporting processes, from monthly management accounts to annual budgets, quarterly forecasts and long-term plans.
• Partnering with the Group Finance Systems, and Group IT systems teams to develop reporting capability within the Global ERP (Netsuite), our new reporting and forecasting system (Planful), CRM (Hubspot) and HRIS (Workday).
• Supporting the Group Treasury teams in creating connected management information flows that enable seamless and timely cashflow reporting and forecasting.
• Continual improvement and development of management information and cost analysis, including Group utilisation, client & project profitability and working capital analysis.
• Coaching, and developing best practice for the commercial finance team. (N.B. No direct line management responsibilities for now)

More specifically, this role will focus on the following key activities:

• Group Management Reporting & Analysis (75%)
• Management of monthly management accounts reporting under IFRS, including consolidated headline income statement, balance sheet and cashflow statement.
• Together with the Commercial FD, run the day to day processes of preparing monthly results, quarterly forecasts and annual budget based on the key drivers of the business.
• Provide insights and analysis on financial performance, revenue projections, cost structures, and profitability of different clients and/or projects.
• Identify risks and opportunities and suggest ways to mitigate risks or capitalise on the opportunities.
• Support Investor Relations with market analysis and track the market messaging of our peers as well as helping IR prepare for half year and year end reporting.
• Preparing and reviewing ad hoc reporting requests from the Board.
• Be an active part of the Group Finance team and support the development of a professional, high performing function.
• Commercial Support (20%)
• Develop Financial, Operational, People and Sales KPI’s with the relevant teams.
• Strategic Planning and Decision Support (Investment/Business Cases) - Participate in strategic planning process, providing financial analysis, modelling, insights and decision support to the investment committee. Develop maintain and analyse investment models. (M&A, organic investment/growth business cases).
• Identify areas for process improvement within the finance function and across the businesses operations. Streamline financial processes, implement financial controls, and leverage systems/technology to enhance efficiency and accuracy in financial reporting and analysis.
• Pipeline/Sales funnel – develop and maintain group revenue pipeline reporting to ensure we have an accurate revenue forecast outlook.
• Develop and analyse multi-geography and specialism pricing models assessing impacts of discounts, rebates, and client/project deals, with a view to leveraging improved terms.
• Assist local finance teams with ad-hoc analysis to enable local investment and new business decisions.
• Manage, evolve, and maintain incentive and remuneration strategies and models.
• External Audit (5%)
• Support the Group audit process, working with the external audit team, to ensure they are provided with high quality information, and ensuring the audit is completed on time and with no audit adjustments.

This role is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced FP&A Manager, who will bring energy and technical expertise to this dynamic, diverse, and highly creative company and to our Group Finance team. Given the impact this role will have, we’re looking for someone with a stellar mix of relevant experience and skills. Ideally, the successful candidate will have the following experiences and strengths:

• Qualified Finance Manager with demonstrable post-qualified experience, likely 5-10 years.
• Good experience working with FP&A teams remotely across the world.
• Ability to work individually with senior Executive team members and handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience in the production of KPI reporting, and systems experience in leveraging this data from multiple systems (Financial, CRM, HRIS).
• Previous group experience in a multinational/multi-currency business.
• Sound finance systems knowledge, and proficient with PowerBI.
• Strong communication, influencing, collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Must be a team player but capable of working alone.
• Demonstrate being curious, robust and self-motivated, driving improved financial insights within a business.
• Experience in a people services business / industry.
• Capable of maintaining a broad perspective while also extracting valuable insights from detailed information and large data sets.
• Fluent English language skills.
• Preferred knowledge of Netsuite, Planful, Adaptive Hubspot and Workday.

You will be highly analytical, with an ability to solve complex problems and a high level of commercial acumen. Excellent communication, interpersonal and influencing skills will help you thrive in this role that drives strategic decision making.

M&C Saatchi Group is a creative group of companies who navigate, create, and lead meaningful change for clients. Across five specialist divisions connected through people, culture, data, technology and creativity, M&C Saatchi Group aims to unlock new value for clients and leave a positive impact on the world.

M&C Saatchi Group’s work is informed by two core principles - Brutal Simplicity of Thought and Diversity of Thought. Together they guide how problems are solved and integrated specialist teams are built. Headquartered in London, M&C Saatchi Group have circa 1,800 employees globally of which 720 employees are UK based. Our operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK, Europe, Middle East & Africa, Asia and Australia.

Having floated in 2004, M&C Saatchi plc is a constituent of the FTSE AIM. It has a market capitalisation of £200 million and ambitious growth plans.

For the right candidate, we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes 27 days annual holiday, private healthcare, employer contributory pension, life assurance and income protection. We also offer a host of benefits that support wellbeing including subsidised gym membership, whilst our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion sees us offer learning opportunities around DE&I, targeted mentoring programmes and the opportunity to participate in a number of active Employee Led Networks and associated events. Finally, this role will be supported with all the necessary personal development required to set someone up for success.

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