Senior Manager, Global Client Compliance London, England

Group M Worldwide Inc.

Job Description

Global Client Compliance Team

Team overview

GroupM, part of WPP plc (FTSE and NASDAQ listed), is a leading global media investment group with over 40,000 employees operating in over 60 countries. Our client-facing media agencies include EssenceMediacom, Mindshare, T&Pm, and Wavemaker.

Global Client Compliance falls within the wider Global Commercial team which plays a crucial role in driving the financial and operational success of GroupM’s international client accounts. We manage contract negotiations, revenue forecasting, profitability analysis, and contract compliance while supporting profitable growth. The team collaborates closely with internal stakeholders, including client teams and finance, as well as external partners such as our clients’ media and procurement teams.

Job Title: Senior Manager, Global Client Compliance

Reporting to: Director, Global Client Compliance

Location: London

Role Overview:

This role offers an exciting opportunity to be involved in a highly experienced Global Client Compliance team emanating from a variety of disciplines. Managing commercial audit across GroupM’s global agencies is fundamental to the role. However, additionally, a key focus is on cultivating a best in class compliance structure for agencies and clients alike, implementing media focused processes and procedures and associated systems.

As a Senior Manager, you will help to ensure contract compliance across the portfolio, protect client profitability, and manage client satisfaction. You will be heavily involved in “contract application” and negotiating contractual findings.

Success in the compliance arena has a tangible impact on GroupM’s reputation within the industry and contributes to its commercial success across its multi-million-dollar international client base.

You will have the opportunity to manage your own client portfolio and partner with Commercial/Compliance Directors on complex negotiations, gaining valuable experience and developing your commercial/compliance expertise.

Key Responsibilities:

• Robust knowledge of key commercial contracts and relationships
• Co-management of agency client audit program with specific responsibility for a portfolio of key clients. To include:
  • Coordination of the markets/auditors
  • Negotiation of scopes of audit, NDAs and MRLs
  • Audit briefings
  • Maintenance of the annual agency client certification program
  • Negotiation of post-audit settlement/makegoods
  • Implementation of post-audit remedial plans
  • Tracking of results and correction of any noncompliance issues
• Provision of “consultancy services”:
  • Ad hoc commercial contractual advice
  • Contractual know-how for pitches
  • Market specific commercial know-how
  • Financial/audit best practice
• Working with the Global Commercial team, responsible for onboarding new clients/contracts globally, communicating key commercial and operational terms, assessing commercial risk and implementing countermeasures
• Development of tailored compliance programs to meet changing market practices and specific client contractual requirements
• Oversight of the media performance audits, working strictly within the agency best practice requirements, and control of any media process/digital audits
• Development of training and best practice programs to include commercial contractual knowledge
• Maintenance of up-to-date agency commercial guidance documentation and systems
• Hands-on engagement in any agency commercial/contractual projects

Skills and Behaviours:

• Strong financial acumen including analytical and quantitative skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, including the ability to navigate challenging conversations e.g., with client procurement
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and independently with ownership over assignments
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Strong time management skills
• Proactive problem-solver with continuous improvement mindset

Qualifications:

• Qualified accountant/auditor and/or a bachelor’s degree or equivalent practical experience in Commercial, Accounting, Finance, International Business, or a related field
• Demonstrable experience interpreting and applying contract terms in a client-facing role would be an advantage
• 8 years plus of industry commercial/financial experience
• Robust experience of managing and negotiating contracts
• Demonstrable multi-market hands-on experience
• Knowledge of core agency concepts – agency benefits, disclosed buying models, undisclosed inventory, vendor contracts & remuneration models

Why join us?

• Be part of a market-leading organization within the WPP network
• Work on high-profile international client accounts in a dynamic and fast-paced industry
• Collaborate with experienced industry professionals and gain exposure to international media operations
• Be part of a fast-paced, dynamic environment where you’ll constantly be learning and benefit from ongoing training and development programs