Head of Finance Controllership - CHIP

BRAND: Publicis Groupe
Job Function: Finance
Location: London, United Kingdom
Experience Level: Management
Workplace Type: Hybrid

Company description

OVERVIEW

The Publicis Groupe, founded in 1926, has become the third largest communications group in the world with a strong presence in over 100 countries. Through a powerful alchemy of creativity and technology, we drive business transformation across the entire value chain. Our innovative solutions seamlessly integrate data, creativity, and technology to help clients navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of consumer behavior.

At the heart of our mission is the belief in placing our clients' customers at the center of everything we do, delivering business transformation for our clients.

Publicis Groupe UK is a marketing and digital transformation business made up of over 5,000 talented and passionate professionals with expertise in media, creative, influence, health, production and data, working across 25 agencies.

Publicis Groupe UK creative agencies include Saatchi & Saatchi, BBH, Leo Burnett, Digitas, Publicis. Poke, Turner Duckworth and Octopus Groupe. Our PR agencies are MSL, Taylor Herring and the sustainability consultancy Salterbaxter. Publicis Media is home to Zenith, Starcom and Spark Foundry, as well as specialist practices including PMX and Performics. Langland, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness and Digitas Health serve our clients across health and wellness, science and medicine.Prodigious is our agency-agnostic production platform delivering marketing content across all channels and help brands win in the platform world.

We are fortunate to work with a roster of leading global and local companies including BTEE, Disney, John Lewis, McDonalds, Asda, P&G, Samsung, Subway and Tesco to name but a few.

At Publicis Groupe, we believe that diversity and inclusion are the key to success. Our team in UK includes professionals from various backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, creating a rich and dynamic workplace that fosters creativity, collaboration, and growth. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full selves to work.

Overview

Publicis Groupe UK is offering an exciting opportunity to join our Finance team as Head of Financial Controllership across our Communications Practice (CHIP). This is a pivotal leadership role with broad scope, overseeing financial integrity, driving efficiencies, and enabling growth across our UK agencies.

About the Role

As a strategic finance partner to our UK Agencies and senior leadership, you'll work closely with shared services, EMEA, Global and Groupe colleagues, and collaborate with the Head of Financial Controllership for our Media Practice to identify synergies and opportunities.

This role will suit a collaborative, proactive, and detail-oriented leader who thrives on delivering best-in-class processes, driving performance, and fostering a high-performing finance culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all financial reporting cycles, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and clear, actionable commentary in line with UK MT and Groupe expectations.
• Ensure compliance across reporting, reconciliations, and transactions, aligning with internal policies and accounting standards.
• Collaborate with Commercial teams to deliver accurate forecasts and annual budgets (Commits).
• Stay up-to-date with changes in accounting standards and Groupe reporting requirements; guide the team accordingly.
• Champion conscious expense management and monitor agency KPIs, particularly working capital (TWC) performance.
• Provide technical expertise on complex accounting issues and promote continuous improvement and automation.
• Work closely with auditors and stakeholders to ensure a robust control environment and successful audit outcomes.
• Play a central role in setting strategy, leading cross-functional projects, and partnering across UK and global teams.

People Leadership

• Lead, inspire, and develop a large finance team, with a focus on continuous improvement, personal development, and succession planning.
• Promote diversity, inclusion, collaboration, and career mobility across the team and wider Groupe.

Experience required

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with at least 10 years' post-qualification experience.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience in a multinational or group structure.
• Proven track record in financial reporting, budgeting, compliance, and driving process improvement.
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, agile, and matrixed organisation.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with a focus on building relationships and driving performance.
• A customer-focused mindset, both internally and externally.

Additional information

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week.

We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process.

Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG's (Employee Action Groups).

#LI-JW1