Groupe Client Finance Lead

Company Description

Publicis Groupe is one of the world’s largest communications holding companies, present in over 100 countries and employing about 80,000 professionals.. The Groupe is positioned at every step of the value chain, from consulting to execution, combining marketing transformation and digital business transformation.

Our clients compete in the platform world, a horizontal marketplace between creators and consumers, between speakers and listeners, between buyers and sellers. To thrive in the platform world, companies must continue to innovate their products and business models.

Four imperatives (1. Real Identity, 2. Dynamic, Diverse and Disruptive Creativity 3. Smart Media and 4. Direct Relationships) via our suite of world-class agencies, are necessary for modern brands  to win in the platform world.

At Publicis Groupe, we’ve invested in capabilities across these four imperatives our clients need to unlock growth.  As the only one who can architect, build and orchestrate end to end solutions, not only do we have a proven record of building bespoke models for clients and leading expertise across all major industry categories, we are able to offer our talents more opportunities to grow and benefit from a richer learning experience. We call this Power of One.

Never has our vision and drive for Power of One been as demonstrable as in the role of the Global Client lead. The role of a GCL is essential for driving growth, for understanding and leading our clients’ own transformation through delivering the true scale of our agencies’ capabilities. A GCL sets the vision, builds a culture of collaboration and curates a team of experts from our whole Groupe to deliver on that promise. They are true leaders with responsibility for revenue, profitability and leading the relationship with our clients. We could not be more committed to delivering excellence.

Powered by a 80,000-strong network via Marcel, our AI-based platform, we are also able to provide our clients and talents instant access to resource, knowledge for any need, any time, in any market.

Job Description

This role provides a unique opportunity to work alongside the Global Client lead on an important client for the Groupe.

The Groupe Client Finance Lead (GCFL) is a senior finance role charged with providing overall financial and commercial leadership on Publicis’ Global Client Accounts.

It is principally and fore mostly a role that sits in partnership with and support to, the Groupe Client Lead of the account (GCL).  

The objective of the role is simple - to support the achievement of profitable growth of Publicis’ business with Clients across all capabilities (Creative, media, digital, technology and data). This should be achieved through the application of excellent commercial and financial management on the business, driving the needs of the client’s financial health and growth through the matrix of brands, solutions and geographies.

The GCFL must also ensure objectivity and consistency in representing Publicis Groupe’s best interests, with no internal bias for any one Brand within the Groupe.

Provide financial oversight and management of the Global Client to which this role is accountable. Effectively manage all key internal and external deliverables as appropriate.

• Partner with Global Client Leader (GCL) to develop annual client plan in alignment with strategy and growth targets
• Partner with GCL to maintain expert and fluid knowledge of client’s business models, contractual arrangements, key strengths, and opportunities. 
• Continually advise business partners and finance leadership on issues within the client portfolio that impact the business, escalating as necessary and appropriate.
• Work with GCL/Client team to negotiate Global retainer  and any other Global assignments.
• Supporting and advising on global negotiations
• Run monthly business reviews with the GCL/Client leads with the client.
• Act as day to day interface with finance and procurement contacts at the client,
• Provide a single point of finance connectivity both internally and externally surrounding the client’s business for Publicis
• Manage FX and tax implications of cross boarder invoicing, seeking support from Publicis Groupe treasury & tax departments as is required
• Liaise on client finance matters with Groupe brands and other Groupe companies servicing clients
• Maintain focus on client profitably; identify underperforming grands/units, disciplines and work across Publicis matrix to implement corrective action to improve profitability
• Monitor client account net working capital (especially overdue) and work with client and Publicis Treasury to maintain an acceptable level within the parameters of our agreement
• Provide thorough analysis and insights and communicate appropriately
• Ac