Senior Manager, Finance Transformation, Global Finance Transformation

WPP•New York, NY

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients, and communities. Working at WPP means being part of a global network of more than 100,000 talented people dedicated to doing extraordinary work for our clients. We operate in over 100 countries, with corporate headquarters in New York, London and Singapore. WPP is a world leader in marketing services, with deep AI, data and technology capabilities, global presence and unrivalled creative talent. Our clients include many of the biggest companies and advertisers in the world, including approximately 300 of the Fortune Global 500. 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. We are seeking an experienced Senior Manager to spearhead critical finance transformation initiatives across WPP's global network, driving strategic change at group, agency, and shared service center levels. Reporting to the Global Finance Transformation Program Director, this is a high-impact, high-visibility opportunity where you will leverage deep functional expertise and advanced leadership skills to shape the future of our finance function, delivering significant operational efficiencies and strategic business value. We are looking for someone who can not only navigate intricate global organizational structures but also strategically define, architect, and deliver innovative solutions to enterprise-level finance challenges. You must be able to translate complex business problems into actionable, sustainable transformation programs, influencing at the C-suite and Board levels.

Requirements

10+ years of progressive experience in finance transformation, management consulting (focused on finance), or a related strategic finance role, with a significant portion (5+ years) leading complex, large-scale, global transformation programs.
Proven experience driving significant, sustainable change within highly complex, global matrix organizations.
Mastery of advanced finance transformation concepts and methodologies, including target operating model design and implementation, global shared services/GBS strategy and execution, and end-to-end process re-engineering.
Demonstrated experience improving finance processes and systems, including standardising and simplifying end to end processes in alignment with ERP design, identifying automation opportunities (RPA/AI), and driving scalable, technology enabled process improvements globally.
Highly influential and visionary leader with an engaging, inspiring, and persuasive communication style, capable of mobilizing diverse global teams and senior stakeholders.
Demonstrated executive presence, gravitas, and a proven ability to challenge conventional thinking, influence strategic decisions, and drive consensus at the highest organizational levels (Board, C-Suite, Global Leadership).
Exemplary track record of building and nurturing strategic relationships with C-suite executives, global business unit leaders, and external partners; adept at navigating complex organizational dynamics.
Demonstrated mastery in adapting leadership style and communication strategies to effectively engage, influence, and motivate a diverse global audience, from technical teams to Board members.
Exceptional strategic planning and execution capabilities, thriving in highly ambiguous, rapidly evolving, and high-pressure environments. Ability to define strategic direction, prioritize ruthlessly across a complex portfolio, and drive execution with minimal oversight.
Superior program and portfolio management expertise for global, complex initiatives, including governance, risk management, and interdependency mapping.
Unwavering commitment to delivering transformative business outcomes and resolving complex, high-impact challenges with innovative, scalable, and sustainable solutions.
Self-starter with a proactive, outcome-oriented mindset and the flexibility to navigate continuous, complex change.
Deep analytical and problem-solving skills to architect innovative solutions to enterprise-level finance challenges.
Advanced proficiency in strategic planning tools, data visualization, and financial modeling.
Exceptional executive-level communication and presentation skills, capable of distilling highly complex strategies and detailed program updates into compelling, concise narratives for Board and C-Suite audiences.
Superior executive-level written and oral communication skills, capable of articulating complex strategic visions and detailed program updates with clarity, precision, and measurable impact.
Professional finance qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA/CA or equivalent) — required.
Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related field

Nice To Haves

Project or change management certifications (e.g., PMP, Lean Six Sigma, Prosci) — preferred but not essential.
MBA desirable

Responsibilities

Strategic Program Leadership: Lead and strategically drive complex, multi-year global finance transformation programs and initiatives across group, agency, and shared service center levels, moving beyond support to direct ownership and delivery.
Executive Strategy & Communication: Proactively identify strategic priorities, develop comprehensive solutions, and design compelling content for direct presentation to C-Suite, Board-level stakeholders, and global partners, significantly influencing strategic direction and investment decisions.
End-to-End Execution Management: Design, lead, and oversee the end-to-end execution of multiple concurrent, large-scale transformation workstreams, ensuring the successful delivery of critical milestones, managing interdependencies, and navigating complex stakeholder landscapes and tight timelines with a focus on enterprise-wide impact.
Governance & Risk Oversight: Provide strategic oversight and direction to the PMO function, ensuring robust program governance, informed agenda setting for executive forums, and the proactive identification and mitigation of enterprise-level risks across the entire transformation portfolio.
Executive Advisory: Serve as a primary strategic advisor to the Global Finance Transformation Program Director and other senior executives, providing expert counsel, proactive risk management, and strategic insights across the entire transformation portfolio, often acting as a delegated authority on key decisions.
Team & Culture Development: Actively shape team culture, fostering a high-performance and innovative environment, and champion best practices across the organization.
Talent Development: Formally mentor, develop, and lead a team of finance transformation professionals, fostering their growth, career progression, and building high-performing project teams capable of delivering complex initiatives.
Innovation & Best Practices: Proactively identify, evaluate, and champion the adoption of emerging trends, technologies (e.g., AI, GenAI, RPA, advanced analytics), and leading practices in finance to drive competitive advantage, operational efficiency, and innovation across WPP.
Consulting & Change Enablement: Leverage extensive business consulting acumen and a proven track record of driving significant, sustainable change within highly complex, global matrix organizations, often managing initiatives that span multiple operating companies and geographies.
Strategic Workshop Facilitation: Design and facilitate highly impactful, executive-level workshops across diverse global agency stakeholders, driving consensus on strategic direction, critical decisions, and complex problem resolution.
Advanced Governance & Reporting: Establish and lead comprehensive program governance frameworks for multi-faceted transformation initiatives, ensuring robust decision-making, transparent communication to Board and C-suite, and compelling strategic storytelling that aligns diverse stakeholders globally.
Executive Stakeholder Management: Proactively cultivate and manage strategic relationships with C-suite executives, global agency leaders, and critical external partners, influencing outcomes, building coalitions for significant change initiatives, and navigating complex political landscapes to ensure program success.