Why we're hiring:

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior finance professional to be a New York based leader that is integral to the WPP group finance team. Investment is being made to transform the WPP finance and accounting organisation to better support the business. The new composition for the finance function will target a modernised reporting structure of greater scale, to better service the volume of work required and to the level expected of a FTSE 100 business. This hire will be a critical role in ensuring this success.

What you'll be doing:

Reporting to the Deputy Group Financial Controller, the Director - Group Reporting covers all elements of the Group’s external and internal financial reporting cycles. Operating in over 100 countries worldwide, WPP plc is looking for an internationally experienced candidate who possesses a broad cultural outlook and understanding, thriving in a complex organisation. She/he will ideally have experience of managing multinational teams. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of ensuring the Group consolidation and its supporting items are prepared on a timely and accurate basis and that external financial reporting is of a consistently high standard. Ensuring a “no-surprises” environment is critical. She/he will have a professional financial qualification and will have had exposure to best-in-class processes and systems to develop a first-class Reporting function. The role includes providing significant input into Group-wide improvement initiatives.

Key responsibilities of the role include:

• Build, manage and develop a team (based in London & New York) of professionals responsible for external reporting, and consolidation of a dual (UK & US) listed business.
• Ensure the impact of accounting and financial reporting developments is understood, that potential impacts are anticipated and managed proactively and that this is accurately reflected in the Group’s external financial reporting.
• Develop and maintain strong system of SOX compliant financial controls using appropriate systems and controls, working closely with the Risk and Controls team.
• Undertake significant liaison with senior management to ensure business issues are appropriately identified, accounted for and disclosed in the Group financial statements.
• Management of the Group consolidation process, involving a large number of companies across multiple jurisdictions and currencies ensuring accuracy, appropriate control and adherence to the external reporting timetable.
• Liaison with the FP&A and the Group’s Technical Accounting team on relevant accounting and reporting issues, ensuring these are appropriately reflected in the budgets and forecasts.
• Provide guidance to the Group in complex technical accounting transactions such as acquisitions and disposal processes.
• Develop close working relationship with external auditors to ensure smooth sign-off for group and local statutory reporting minimising surprises, management letter points and additional fees.
• Driving reporting changes and improvements across the broader controllership function, working closely with the local market teams and specialist teams including tax, legal, treasury, Group M&A and SSC.
• Preparation of relevant briefing papers for the Group Finance Director, CFO, Audit Committee and other senior financial management.

What you’ll need:

The successful candidate will have strong reporting credentials and experience in operating in a listed, multi-national business of significant scale and complexity. She/he will bring partnership and communication skills and a proven ability to communicate and work at senior levels within an organisation. The candidate will have an established track record for leading and developing a talented, inclusive and diverse team to deliver results. As someone managing a large, cross-border team through a time of significant change, this individual must have a proven ability to identify, empower, cultivate and motivate talent and maintain the highest standards of integrity and ethics.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Previous financial reporting experience of large, preferability UK premium and/or US listed, complex group consolidations is essential.
• Detailed understanding of IFRS accounting and reporting standards, financial reporting risks and control.
• SEC regulatory knowledge and SOX experience.
• Big Four training and a full accounting qualification (ACA/CA).
• A clear perspective on best-in-class systems and processes.
• A track record of managing teams through change and year-end close periods.
• Preferably have led or been involved with a new system implementation, considering the requirements, design, testing and implementation.

In terms of the personal competencies required for the position, we would highlight the following:

• Exposure to leading and managing teams, including development and performance management.
• Ability to manage international teams. She/he must work effectively with diverse teams, cultures across varied geographic environments.
• A strong track record of hiring, retaining, developing and motivating top-tier functional talent.
• A track record of implementing process efficiencies using innovative ideas.
• Pace and urgency in implementing new strategies, and an intense awareness of the impact on the business of new initiatives.
• A track record of working effectively with a range of business leaders as well as external advisors.
• Demonstrable career progression.

Personal characteristics:

• Able to see the big-picture, stepping back from the day-to-day detail, identifying and avoiding potential challenges in the future.
• Strong execution skills and sense of urgency to shape and deliver goals.
• Team player with keen intellect and a pragmatic, agile approach to delivering results.
• Exceptional communication, influencing and decision-making skills.

• A quick study, demonstrating initiative a determination to succeed.

• High levels of personal confidence, credibility, professionalism, and integrity but with resilience to lead and manage change.
• Highly personable, builds relationships but is also not frightened of making tough decisions and giving feedback.
• A dynamic and agile temperament.

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 believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. 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 deliver extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, driven 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. Are you up for the challenge? 

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, age, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, military/veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability. We believe in creating a dynamic work environment that values diversity and inclusion and strives to recruit a diverse slate of candidates to help us achieve that goal.

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