Walk the halls of SSW and you'll find a rather spirited and passionate group of people. It's a stimulating assembly of professionals—writers, managers, strategists, art directors, planners, analysts and developers.  

We believe the only way to move people to live healthier, happier lives is to create ideas that move them emotionally. Never powered by reason alone, people – whether they’re consumers, caregivers, doctors or payers – are motivated to take action by emotion. Only when people feel something will they be willing to do something.  

For decades, Saatchi & Saatchi Wellness has provided consumer and professional marketing, strategic consulting and medical education to pharmaceutical and wellness brands. Today, we're dedicated to continuing that legacy by raising the bar and crafting award- winning work online, on-air, in print and in-office. Going beyond addressing simply the absence of illness, our vision is to inspire a healthier, happier world. Together, we strive to help brands thrive in today’s culture of wellbeing by leveraging the power of Wellness IntelligenceSM. 

The Associate Finance Director works closely with our clients, internal client teams, Agency Talent team and broader agency capability leaders to drive value and long term success by providing strategic financial guidance and direction aimed at improving business outcomes and measuring ROI on agency investments.

As a key finance leader, you will guide a seasoned finance team while partnering with other key leaders across the organization to analyze challenges and proposes and execute innovative solutions while always ensuring an seamless client experience.  You will be surrounded by collegues who are also highly dedicated to meet their own highs standards, to inspire teammates and to make a positive impact on the world through their work.

Under the tutelage of the SVP, Finance, our finance team provides our community with analysis insights and POVs that enable us to aptly plan and make informed, smart decisions.  This role covers the fundamentals – Financial planning and analysis, Client Financial reporting, Forecasting, Internal  Publicis Reporting, investment allocation planning and maintaining strong internal controls- as well as extras. – The sidebar counsel with a project team considering the best pricing strategy for a new client: The partner to our talent team for all employee centric initiatives we want to plan for; helping shore up our agreement that protect our business and interests; the pragmatic yin  to the utopian yang that we need to hear.

What you’ll be doing

Financial Planning & Analysis – Anticipate risks and initiate actions to achieve financial objectives

• Prepare the annual business plan, taking into account business initiatives and financial targets
• Analyze actual performance against key benchmarks and highlight to management any areas requiring action
• Prepare rolling forecasts as needed to maintain visibility on full-year financial performance
• Provide management with information regarding financial and operational performance of individual business segments against internal KPIs

Financial Operations – Work with agency management to maximize profitability and optimize operational performance

• Provide financial counsel to management to assess financial risk/benefit of operational initiatives and actions
• Provide “what if” analysis to management, with corresponding financial impact
• Assist management and account teams with development of commercial pricing (i.e., functional hourly rates, piece rates, value at risk pricing models, etc) and interaction/negotiations with client procurement, including implementation of particular client billing arrangements
• Provide operational analysis to management, client leadership and talent teams (i.e. client profitability, capacity management, etc)
• Assess and prepare requests for all financial operation activities requiring approval, including investment allocations, capital expenditures, consultancy arrangements, etc.

Financial Reporting – Ensure that monthly reporting is performed accurately, completely and timely

• Review transactional accounting performed by Finance team
• Perform all subjective areas of financial reporting, particularly revenue recognition and provisions for risks & charges

• Ensure that all financial reporting is performed in according with Publicis Groupe Corporate Policies and Procedures (“Janus”)
• Perform monthly analysis and submit reports to agency, Groupe and Corporate management
• Liaise directly with Corporate Finance team to provide information as requested

Financial Controlling & Client Accounting Management – Manage the agency accounting team responsible for these functions

• Client accounting areas of responsibility: Review of client contracts; control over receipt of client documentation (project estimates and purchase orders) for initiation of services; management of agency timesheet system; client billing and payment follow up; client reconciliation and contract compliance/adherence
• Financial controlling areas of responsibility: Supplier management (issuance of purchase orders, validation of receipt of non-billable services); cost control, particularly areas of high variability/discretion (i.e., freelance support, non-client travel, capital expenditure, etc); trade working capital management, particularly maintenance (timely billing, reconciliation and collection) of accounts receivable and work in progress; coordination and direction of all audits, including internal, external, client and regulatory audits.

What we’ll be looking for

Essential

• Education: Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or CPA preferred
• 3+ years experience managing an accounting/finance department
• Speak fluent English
• Strong Excel competency
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work autonomously
• Highly organized and able to work according to fixed calendar cycles

Desirable

• Strong presentation skills
• Experience with Enterprise Reporting Planning software (SAP, Hyperion, etc)
• Experience in Marketing and Communications or other service sector within the US, particularly at one of the top five global holding company networks

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.