Finance Business Partner - GBS

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. 

We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. 
 
We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.
 
Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. 
 
For more information, visit WPP.com.
 

Why we're hiring:

This HQ Finance Business Partner role will partner with Global Business Services leaders to analyse financial data and ensure robust financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting. The role involves providing insights, challenge and decision support for key business leaders, including variance analysis to better understand and influence financial performance. In addition, the role will contribute to wider transformation initiatives across WPP, offering the opportunity to deliver insight, partner with senior stakeholders, and drive business improvement at scale.

What you'll be doing:

• Provide financial and business insights for the HQ GBS function, including analysis of actual financial performance against budget and forecast
• Act as the primary finance contact for budget holders and department leads within the HQ GBS teams, supporting the development of robust and transparent budgets and forecasts
• Manage month-end processes, including cost actualisation, variance analysis, risk and opportunity tracking, and the development of mitigating actions
• Ensure budget and forecast data is accurately maintained within WPP’s financial systems
• Work with the Finance Director – GBS, Finance and People to provide inputs into business cases, as well as cost-saving and transformation initiatives
• Analyse key cost drivers and work closely with GBS leads to identify and deliver opportunities for efficiency and savings opportunities that support the achievement of transformation targets
• Work collaboratively with other Finance teams, including FP&A, Controllership and Tax to ensure alignment and consistency in the delivery of reporting and analysis
• Own the calculations that underpin the GBS recharge process across WPP

Who you'll be working with:

Finance Director – GBS, Finance and People

What you'll need:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CPA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven finance professional with experience navigating complex, international organisations
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Demonstrated ability to challenge constructively and influence senior finance and non-finance stakeholders
• An ability to understand and explain financial drivers in a clear and concise manner
• Strong execution skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and navigate ambiguity
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively across large, diverse and international teams
• A proactive and commercial mindset

Desirable

• Experience using enterprise financial systems and data visualisation tools, such as Power BI
• A track record of identifying and implementing process improvements through automation, standardisation, or improved use of data

Who you are:

You're open: we are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: we approach all that we do with confidence: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: We are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – we champion a culture of people that do extraordinary work

Scale and opportunity – we offer the opportunity to create, influence and deliver projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. 

#LI-Hybrid 

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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