Manager, Client Finance at Publicis Groupe in UK-London

Job description

• This role supports one of Publicis Groupe's top 30 accounts. Within Publicis Sapient, the account team includes approximately 300 people across multiple geographies.
• As a key member of the account leadership team, the Client Finance Manager will drive commercial excellence, manage contractual agreements with clients, and partner closely with project delivery teams and internal functions, including finance, staffing, capacity and legal, to deliver successful business outcomes for Publicis Sapient.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end financial management of the account within Publicis Sapient, with oversight of pipeline management; deal creation, review and approval; project delivery and profitability; invoicing and collections.
• Ability to balance detailed analysis with strategic oversight, knowing when to dive into operational complexities and when to step back to provide direction, challenge, and governance.
• Work with clients and project teams to shape deals that meet client expectations while aligning with account margin targets.
• Build and manage strong relationships across delivery operations, project management teams, and key client stakeholders, providing guidance and support while constructively challenging decisions and escalating risks to drive successful business outcome
• Manage internal business, financial and legal approvals; drive client approvals; and partner with staffing and capacity teams to ensure teams are staffed within required timelines.
• Coordinate with other Groupe agencies and third parties as needed to deliver projects, including putting appropriate inter-agency agreements and project-specific contracts in place.
• Ensure project tracking and reporting are in place across all projects and aligned with delivery commitments in client agreements.
• Oversee compliance with contractual obligations under the Master Services Agreement between Sapient and the client.
• Act as the key escalation point for all commercial issues on the account, whether client-facing or internal to Publicis Sapient, with responsibility for removing impediments and ensuring positive outcomes.
• Support weekly guidance reporting by presenting risks and opportunities to help the Client Partner understand revenue potential for the period.
• Lead quarterly account reviews.
• Manage the annual target-setting exercise with account client partners.
• Work with the finance leadership team to prepare and maintain account financial plans, reporting and governance materials.
• Provide a consolidated industry-level view of account performance, including revenue, margin, guidance and projections.
• Consolidate market inputs to support revenue forecasting, drive alignment and prepare leadership presentations.
• Support the team with account-related queries, broader business questions and industry growth initiatives.
• Represent and support the Client Finance Lead in industry-level forums and discussions as required.
• Support strategic planning and commitment processes for revenue and margin, in partnership with Client Partners who own revenue growth.
• Partner with Agentic Ops to strengthen operational discipline, consistency and excellence across the industry.

Requirements

• Extensive experience in project and programme management, with a track record of delivering complex projects and programmes through multi-disciplinary teams in a consulting or agency environment for large corporate clients.
• Demonstrated ability to operate at scale across multiple concurrent projects and priorities.
• Strong commercial acumen, including the ability to shape deals that deliver value for both the client and Sapient.
• Deep understanding of project financials, including the variables and levers used to manage and optimise revenue and margin while meeting client needs and budgets.
• Experience navigating large organisations, with the ability to influence stakeholders through clear storytelling and data-driven insights.
• Strong aptitude for using data to manage multiple projects and ensure the most effective and efficient use of team capacity within commercial constraints.
• Effective leadership, analytical and negotiation skills.
• Strong conflict-resolution skills.

Skills

Required

• Project and programme management
• Commercial acumen
• Financial analysis
• Data-driven decision making
• Stakeholder influence
• Leadership
• Negotiation
• Conflict resolution

Benefits

• Wellness program and employee assistance.
• Generous paid leave and holidays.
• Comprehensive health benefits for you and your family.
• Flexibility to support work-life balance.
• Competitive compensation and benefits package.
• Access to ongoing learning and development opportunities.
• An inclusive workplace that promotes diversity and collaboration.