Job Description: Senior Commercial Manager (UK)

Fixed-term contract (12 months)

Department: Commercial

Reports to: Commercial Director

Location: London, UK

Role Summary:

The Commercial Lead (senior commercial manager) plays a vital role in driving the financial success and operational efficiency of the agency. This position, based in our London office, requires a highly motivated and experienced individual with strong commercial acumen, leadership skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex business environments.

The Commercial Lead will lead and mentor a team, oversee financial planning and analysis, ensure adherence to financial regulations, and act as a key liaison between various internal and external stakeholders.

This role demands a strategic thinker who can translate financial data into actionable insights and drive profitable growth, with a specific focus on client P&L management and contract negotiation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Health and Client P&L Management:
• Full ownership of a multi-national, multi-agency client portfolio, ensuring accurate financial reporting and commercial accumen.
• Deliver live forecasts and manage quarterly budgets, ensuring alignment with client objectives and agency profitability targets.
• Prepare and review scopes of work (SOWs), collaborating with Delivery Leads and Senior Client Leads to ensure accurate costing and resource allocation.
• Prepare internal reports on utilization, profitability, recoverability, and growth targets, providing insights to senior management.
• Resourcing – Provide support to the client teams where needed to ensure resourcing files and PowerBi reports are fully up to date and provide accurate information on resource allocation by client. Review freelance resource requests as and when required ensuring all incremental revenue spend is both strictly necessary and covered by client budgets.
• Lead procurement liaison and negotiations, supported by Commercial Seniors, securing favourable terms and maximizing value for the agency.
• Complete Group, EMEA, and Global reporting requirements, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all levels.
• Collaborate with experts to develop and market our offerings and capabilities, contributing to the agency's growth and market positioning.
• Support new client pitches by providing essential commercial and financial insights. This includes preparing pricing frameworks, analysing potential profitability, and ensuring financial models align with business objectives. Maintain close collaboration with pitch teams to ensure proposals are both competitive and commercially sound.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, adhering to all internal and external reporting requirements. Maintain strict compliance with SOX regulations and internal control procedures.
• Internal and external audits – prepare all revenue related information to internal and external auditors and promptly respond to all related queries.
• Contract Negotiation and Compliance Management:
• Prepare framework agreements and service-specific schedules, ensuring clarity and alignment with client needs and agency capabilities.
• Liaise with subject matter experts, including legal counsel, during negotiations, protecting the agency's interests and ensuring compliance.
• Ensure compliance with contractual terms, monitoring KPIs and assessing their impact on revenue. Proactively address any contractual issues or discrepancies.
• Team Leadership & Development: 
• Manage, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of commercial professionals. Provide guidance, coaching, and support to foster individual growth and team success.
• Stakeholder Management: 
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the agency, including account teams, NWC department, and board executives. Effectively communicate financial information and insights to both financial and non-financial audiences.
• Process Improvement: 
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the commercial function. Streamline workflows and optimize resource allocation with a knowledge of emerging technologies (AI etc).

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field. MBA or professional accounting qualification (e.g., CPA, CIMA) is preferred.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in a commercial role, preferably within a similar industry.

• Proven experience at a senior manager level or similar, demonstrating the ability to thrive in a demanding environment within a large agency or group company.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with individuals at all levels, from junior staff to C-suite executives, navigating diverse personalities.
• Demonstrated ability to unify cross-functional teams, galvanize them behind a shared vision, and deliver exceptional work for internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent presentation and active listening skills, enabling clear communication and effective action planning.
• Strong commercial acumen, analytical abilities, and a commitment to accuracy and meeting deadlines.
• Proven ability to translate complex financial information into actionable insights for non-financial audiences.
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams.
• Proven experience acting as a liaison between account teams and billers, resolving discrepancies and ensuring smooth operations.
• Experience producing and reviewing client performance dashboards and key management information, effectively translating financial data for non-financial colleagues.
• Proven ability to lead procurement negotiations and secure favourable terms.
• Ability to liaise effectively with legal counsel and other subject matter experts.
• Familiarity with UK financial regulations and reporting requirements.

Additional Information:

• This role is based in London with a 3 to 4 day per week office working requirement.
• A competitive salary and benefits package will be offered commensurate with experience.

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