Commercial Finance Director

Ogilvy India; City of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing and advertising agency in London is seeking a Commercial Finance Director to drive strategic financial leadership across the UK business. This pivotal role requires expertise in client profitability and team management, fostering a culture of inclusion and excellence. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills and a proven record of leading large finance teams, contributing to impactful business growth.

Benefits

25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day

Bupa Private Healthcare from day 1

Enhanced Maternity and Parental Leave

Flexible Working Model

1.5:1 Pension Matching

Fitness/Wellbeing allowance

Season Ticket Loan

Life Assurance

Qualifications

• Significant post-qualification experience in finance.
• Experience leading large finance teams (approx. 24 people).
• Strong client profitability and pricing strategy understanding.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial thinking and new business pitches.
• Drive margin enhancement and client profitability targets.
• Oversee reporting requirements and compliance.

Skills

Strategic Partnership

Commercial Leadership

Profitability Improvement

Team Leadership

Analytical Skills

Process Innovation

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

Financial Modelling

Budgeting Software

Job description

Join to apply for the Commercial Finance Director role at Ogilvy.

About Ogilvy Ogilvy has been creating impact for brands through iconic, culture-changing, value-driving ideas since the company was founded by David Ogilvy 75 years ago. It builds on that rich legacy through Borderless Creativity – innovating at the intersections of its advertising, public relations, relationship design, consulting, and health capabilities with experts collaborating seamlessly across over 120 offices in nearly 90 countries. Ogilvy currently ranks as the #1 global agency network for creative excellence and effectiveness by WARC, signifying its ability to deliver creative solutions that drive unreasonable impact for clients and communities. Ogilvy is a WPP company (NYSE: WPP). For more information, visit Ogilvy.com, and follow us on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook.

About The Role

This is a pivotal leadership role within the UK Finance department, reporting directly to the CFO. As the Commercial Director, you will be the commercial heartbeat of our finance community, embedding best financial practice and strategic commercial thinking across the entire Ogilvy UK business. You will work side-by-side with the Group Finance Director and the Finance Director Specialist Businesses, all reporting into the CFO.

You will be a leader who champions individual and team growth, adapts to evolving business requirements, and fosters trusted relationships both within finance and across our wider client and procurement teams. This role models Ogilvy\'s values, Do the right thing; Do the best work of our lives; Do it together – ensuring an environment that is inclusive, promotes equity, and celebrates diversity.

Why Ogilvy? A Strategic Move for Your Finance Career.

Joining Ogilvy isn’t just about working for an iconic brand; it’s about being at the financial helm of a dynamic, growth-oriented enterprise that consistently delivers impact at scale. This is an opportunity to apply your financial expertise to a business that is not only creatively inspiring but strategically forward-thinking. If you’re looking to elevate your career in a role where your commercial insights directly fuel groundbreaking work, Ogilvy could be your next move.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Client Partnership: Act as the primary link between the finance department and the client leadership community of Ogilvy UK.
• Commercial Leadership: Lead commercial thinking, from spearheading new business pitches and pricing initiatives to ensuring effective Net Working Capital (NWC) management, accurate billings, and compliant revenue recognition.
• Profitability & Margin Improvement: Drive margin enhancement by setting appropriate client profitability targets, monitoring performance, and implementing robust action plans.
• Resource Allocation & Growth Planning: Collaborate closely with the Group Finance Director on staff cost budgets, client capacity planning, and allocating financial resources to align with and drive the UK business growth strategy.
• Team Leadership & Development: Lead the UK Commercial Team (24 people), comprising four direct reports (two Senior Commercial Managers, a Lead Commercial WIP Manager, and a Revenue Compliance Lead). You will have overall responsibility for the commercial managers and commercial WIP managers, and the autonomy to shape your team structure and reporting lines to best achieve objectives.
• Process & System Evolution: Bring fresh ideas to the team and wider business, evolving internal reporting systems, challenging the status quo, and optimising processes for efficiency and compliance.
• Reporting & Compliance: Oversee all reporting requirements related to client contracts, revenue recognition, and relevant balance sheet accounts (WIP, Accrued Revenue, Deferred Revenue, Trade Debtors). Ensure adherence to regulations and group policies.
• KPI Focus & Influence: Focus the business and commercial team on relevant KPIs, report against them, and actively influence outcomes to achieve targets.
• Insight Delivery: Ensure the commercial team delivers timely, accurate, relevant, and useful information and insight, tailored to the audience and message.

What You’ll Need

• Qualified Accountant with significant post-qualification experience, ideally from advertising, media, or project-based professional services.
• Deep Commercial Finance expertise: understanding of client profitability, pricing strategies, and contract negotiation.
• Strategic Partner mindset: ability to build strong relationships with senior client leadership and non-finance stakeholders, influencing decisions with clear, actionable insights.
• Proven Leadership: experience leading, mentoring, and developing large finance teams (approximately 24 people), with a track record of shaping team structures.
• Analytical Powerhouse: strong skills in financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis, translating data into compelling narratives.
• Process & System Innovator: proactive in challenging the status quo and embracing technology for efficiency.
• Results-Oriented: driven to achieve financial targets and contribute to business growth.
• Values-Driven: committed to an inclusive, equitable, and diverse environment, embodying Ogilvy\'s core values; Do the right thing; Do the best work of our lives; Do it together.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + 1 Volunteer Day
• Bupa Private Healthcare from day 1
• Enhanced Maternity, Adoption and Shared Parental Leave
• Flexible Working Model with core hours 10am – 4pm
• 1.5:1 Pension Matching
• Wellbeing and Health: Up to £25 per month towards fitness/Wellbeing subscriptions and resources
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance

Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity, or if you need reasonable accommodation with the application process, please contact [e-mail]. This contact is for candidates requesting accommodation only.