SVP, Client Finance

MERGE • Kansas City, MO

4d

About The Position

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Client Finance is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the financial health and commercial strategy of our client portfolio. Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will serve as a strategic business partner to client leadership, driving profitability and providing critical financial guidance. The SVP will oversee all aspects of client finance, including client forecasting & budgeting as well as performance analysis, and will play a key role in commercial deal structures and operational efficiency. This role requires a strong leader with financial expertise and a collaborative, client-focused mindset.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; a Master's degree or professional certification (CPA, CMA) is preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 15 - 20 years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 10 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated experience in a client-facing finance role, preferably within the advertising, marketing, or professional services industries.
• Proven ability to manage and motivate a finance team.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable business insights.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.
• Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting tools.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with ERP system implementations is a significant plus.

Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead the development of client-level budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans, ensuring alignment with agency goals and client needs.
• Operational Reporting & Close: Manage the month-end close process for the client portfolio, including revenue recognition, margin analysis, and variance reporting.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five finance professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.
• Strategic Partnership: Act as a trusted financial and strategic partner to client business leaders, providing insights on commercial performance and identifying opportunities for growth and efficiency.
• Commercial Guidance: Provide expert financial and commercial guidance to the deal desk and project management, including pricing strategies, contract reviews, and profitability assessments for new and existing business.
• Contribution Margin Improvement: Identify and implement strategies to enhance client contribution margin and overall profitability, working closely with business leads and project management.
• Ad-Hoc Analysis & Reporting: Prepare and present detailed ad-hoc financial reports and analyses for clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring data-driven decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the project management team to ensure proper project setup, tracking, and billing, and to optimize resource allocation and project profitability.
• ERP Implementation: Actively assist in the implementation of a new ERP system, providing financial requirements, testing support, and change management guidance to ensure a successful rollout.

Benefits

• MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level