At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to drive business performance and strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Epsilon, a global leader in data and technology for marketing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, great benefits, hybrid working, and career advancement opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment focused on innovation, collaboration, and employee well-being.
- Why this job: Shape business strategy and influence key decisions with your financial insights.
- Qualifications: 8+ years in FP&A, strong storytelling skills, and leadership experience required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
Epsilon is seeking a highly commercial and strategic Commercial Director (FP&A) to partner with the Epsilon UK leadership team and drive business performance across the UK business and product portfolio. This role goes beyond traditional financial planning and reporting. The successful candidate will be a trusted advisor to senior leaders, helping shape strategy, influence key decisions, identify growth opportunities, and improve profitability through insightful financial analysis and strong business partnership.
A critical aspect of the role is the ability to translate complex financial and operational data into compelling business narratives, using insights and storytelling to drive action, alignment, and better decision-making across the organisation.
What You’ll Achieve
You will become the person business leaders turn to when they need clarity, challenge, or a recommendation. Your insight will shape decisions, improve performance, and help Epsilon UK deliver sustainable, profitable growth. Finance is seen not just as a reporting function, but as a valued partner to the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the lead FP&A business partner to the UK Leadership Team, providing strategic financial insight and commercial challenge.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes for Epsilon UK.
- Partner with wider Publicis UK Finance organisation to deliver on all monthly and periodic reporting and submission deadlines.
- Deliver clear performance reporting, variance analysis, and actionable recommendations to improve business outcomes.
- Partner with Product, Commercial, Client and Operational leaders to evaluate growth opportunities, pricing strategies, and profitability initiatives.
- Develop financial models, business cases, and scenario analyses to support strategic decision-making.
- Translate data and financial performance into compelling business stories that influence stakeholders and drive action.
- Develop and track key business KPIs, ensuring leaders have clear visibility of performance, risks, and opportunities.
- Lead and develop the FP&A team while driving continuous improvement, automation, and reporting excellence.
Qualifications & Experience
- 8+ years of FP&A, Commercial Finance, or Strategic Finance experience, including leadership responsibility.
- Professional accounting or finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA or equivalent).
- Proven experience partnering with senior executives and influencing business decisions.
- Demonstrated ability to tell compelling stories through data, simplifying complex information into clear business insights and recommendations.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to connect financial performance to business strategy.
- Advanced financial modelling, forecasting, and analytical capabilities.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Experience with ERP, planning, and analytics tools, including Power BI and similar platforms.
- Proven ability to lead high-performing teams in a fast-paced, growth-focused environment.
Additional Information
Epsilon is a global data, technology and services company that powers the marketing and advertising ecosystem. For decades, we’ve provided marketers from the world’s leading brands the data, technology and services they need to engage consumers.
Our pillars aren't just words. They're how we show up every day:
- People centricity: We focus on employee well-being in an environment where colleagues truly care about each other.
- Collaboration: We work together, support one another, and collectively achieve goals.
- Growth: There are endless opportunities for growth through learning, development and career advancement.
- Innovation: We drive progress through cutting-edge solutions and forward-thinking approaches.
- Flexibility: We’ve created a balance between work and personal life, and we encourage adaptability to solve problems creatively.
We are committed to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates in our application process.
Commercial Director (FP&A) employer: Publicis Groupe UK
Publicis Groupe UK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where creativity and innovation thrive. With a strong commitment to inclusivity and a hybrid working model, employees enjoy the flexibility to balance their professional and personal lives while contributing to impactful digital strategies for leading brands like Essity. The company fosters continuous growth through various development opportunities, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in the digital landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Director (FP&A)
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Publicis Groupe UK. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Publicis Groupe UK.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Publicis Groupe UK. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Director (FP&A)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Publicis Groupe UK and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Publicis Groupe UK how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Groupe UK
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Publicis Groupe UK.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Publicis Groupe UK's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
