**Company description** Publicis Groupe is a global leader in communication. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation. **Overview** Reporting to the Publicis Groupe Chief Financial Officer, with a dotted line to the Senior Vice President for the Communications Practice, the Financial Director needs to work closely with the Practice SVP and Groupe CFO to envision and execute the Practice’s strategic plan to grow Practise Revenues and Contribution Margin in line with Groupe targets. The ability to communicate with and work with several different teams is essential, as this role deals with a shared service centre, business unit management and a regional finance team. The Financial Director shares & supports our company’s core values as the cornerstone of their work ethic & actively builds them into their team dynamic & way of work. **Responsibilities** 1. Business partner 2. Controlling, budgeting and internal control functions 3. Negotiation 4. Financial Management 5. Finance Team People management **Business partner** + Partner with the SVP for Communications Practice, to conceive and execute business strategies. + With the support of their team, create an efficient and effective accounting and financial operation and management reporting process for the Communications Practice within the constraints of the Financial and Production Systems commissioned by Groupe. + Strategic skills – involvement at leadership level in setting business strategy but also financial validation of those strategies. + Catalyst for change – efficiencies, standardization, quality, operational agility and automation. The finance team should be the shining example of that. + Advises on the business situation, increasing revenue, reducing costs and accelerating cash collection from clients + Supports Client Services and other services for all financial and operational issues + Helps to define the most optimal way to deliver services in order to ensure quality service to clients and profitability for the Groupe **Controlling, budgeting and internal control functions** + Aware of and track risk and advise leadership team on an ongoing basis of status and recommended course of action across all entities + Budgeting, monthly forecasting and handling of all analyses/comments to be provided to the SVP for Communications, and Leadership team. + Ensuring compliance with the Publicis Groupe SA operational and financial policies and processes including the use of standard tool-sets and methodology, in accordance with the Publicis Corporate Policies + Follow-up of internal audit recommendations made by Groupe Internal Audit/FMC + Compliance to FMC requirements defined by the Groupe Internal Audit + Managing the working capital improvement including the reduction of overdue receivables and of WIP, the acceleration of the billing process & the analysis of cash generation. **Negotiations** + Ensure all contracts (current and future) are financially sound; this involves the ability to defend the interests of the agency when dealing with procurement, suppliers, clients and prospects + Support Leaders in negotiations by providing financial information (pricing, cost of resources and teams, targeted profitability), working and dealing directly with clients as and when necessary + Participates with RFP’s in order to protect the agency interests and help close the deal with all pitches + The client service teams remain fully accountable for the successful outcome of the pitch and are responsible for the relationship with the clients while the FD & the finance team support the pitch process **Financial Management** + Organize the Finance function to achieve smooth running of the day-to-day Finance operations providing relevant and effective support to the business teams + Instituting and/or maintaining sound financial processes and systems to facilitate optimum control and accurate time charging, as well as tracking of all jobs, to improve cash flow; overall, to improve the speed and accuracy of billings, the profitability of time cost based work, and the rapidity of client payment + Accurate and on time production of monthly management accounts **Finance Team People management** + Manage the Communications Finance Team and ensure clarity of objectives within the team and consistency in ways of working + Ensure that all members of the finance team receive appropriate professional and job training and supports those taking external professional qualifications. + Motivates and manages the team to achieve excellent job performance. + Responsible for completing or supporting others complete the annual performance appraisal within the finance team. + Ensure that the finance team integrates with other teams in the business **Qualifications** + 8+ years ‘experience in a similar position, preferably within a Marketing/Advertising industry + Knowledge of Excel, financial systems and business software + Qualified CA (SA) of bachelor's degree, Finance, Accounting or related feild + Knowledge of Excel, Financial systems, and business software **Additional information** + **Financially astute:** Proven experience at managing P&Ls. Has been responsible for providing on-going accurate and meaningful financial information, propose business solutions which will allow the CEO and the Executive Committee to understand the business performance and take the appropriate decision to run the business. + **Commercial** Highly commercial, they have previous experience in all clients’ contracts, leading acquisitions and deals supporting a growth plan. + **Talent oriented:** Has successfully partnered with a Chief People Officer in managing headcounts, personnel costs, supporting HR reporting, restructuring initiatives and leading cross functional transformation. + **Operational** Hands on, the person is deeply operational, understanding not only how to build strategies but work with the teams to execute them smoothly. + **Matrixed organization** : Deep understanding of navigating an international matrixed organisation, managing multiple stakeholders and building advocacy.