At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy and innovation in a dynamic creative environment.
- Company: Join Publicis Groupe, a global leader in communication and creativity.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive benefits including pension, medical cover, and flexible working.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal development.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance while driving growth and collaboration.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience and strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Publicis Groupe is a global leader in communication, operating in over 100 countries with 114,000 people globally. We help the world’s leading brands drive growth by combining creativity, media, data, technology and consulting. We are designed to help our clients thrive, with the capabilities, the experience and the understanding needed to help our clients unlock growth in a platform world. Through our Power of One approach, we bring together the right expertise from across our agencies to deliver joined up, end to end solutions.
“Viva la Différence” sits at the heart of our culture. We value individuality, encourage different perspectives and believe our differences make us stronger. We are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can learn, grow and do the best work of their career.
We are hiring a Group Finance Director to help shape the future of finance within Publicis Groupe UK's Creative Practice. This is a highly visible leadership role that combines strategic finance, commercial partnership, transformation and innovation, working closely with senior leaders to drive performance and unlock growth. As a trusted partner to the CFO and Creative Practice Leadership team, you will bring clarity, insight and forward-thinking solutions that help the business make better, faster decisions. You'll also play a key role in evolving Finance through AI, automation and data-driven ways of working.
What you'll be doing:
- Partner with the CFO and Creative Practice Leadership team to translate strategic priorities into commercial and financial action.
- Lead financial planning, forecasting and performance management across the Creative Practice, ensuring high-quality insight and decision support.
- Provide a clear view of business performance, identifying opportunities and risks across agencies, clients and capabilities.
- Support major pitches, commercial negotiations and the development of pricing and operating models that strengthen growth and profitability.
- Champion the adoption of AI, automation and data-led solutions to improve forecasting, reporting, analysis and finance processes.
- Build strong relationships across agency, UK, EMEA and Global teams to drive collaboration and alignment with wider business priorities.
- Develop finance capability across the Practice by coaching talent, strengthening business partnering skills and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Skills we're looking for:
- Qualified accountant with substantial experience in senior finance leadership roles within a complex organisation.
- Strong commercial finance and business partnering expertise, with the ability to turn financial insight into practical business actions.
- Experience leading financial planning, performance management and strategic decision-making at a senior level.
- Proven ability to influence and collaborate with senior stakeholders across multiple functions and business areas.
- Experience delivering change initiatives, improving finance processes or helping organisations adopt new ways of working.
- Interest in AI, technology and data, with the ability to identify and implement practical solutions that create value.
- Inclusive leadership style with a passion for developing people, building capability and creating high-performing teams.
Publicis Groupe offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives.
Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week. At Publicis Groupe, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic. We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application. Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.
Group Commercial Finance Director, Creative Practice in London employer: Publicis Groupe
Starcom is an exceptional employer that prioritises its people, fostering a welcoming and supportive culture where every individual is encouraged to reach their fullest potential. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, alongside comprehensive benefits such as enhanced parental leave and reflection days, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in the UK, this role offers the chance to work with leading global brands while being part of a high-performing team dedicated to innovation and excellence in media investment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Commercial Finance Director, Creative Practice in London
✨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. 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.
✨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. 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 Group Commercial Finance Director, Creative Practice in London
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 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 how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Publicis Groupe
✨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.
✨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'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!
