Commercial Analyst

Publicis Groupe; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global communications agency seeks a skilled Commercial Analyst to strengthen financial oversight within the UK finance team. The role involves managing revenue forecasting, analyzing client profitability, and supporting decision-making by providing accurate financial insights. Candidates should have experience in commercial finance within an agency environment, strong analytical skills, and proficiency in Excel. The position supports a hybrid working model, with three days per week in the office, promoting inclusivity and fair assessment processes.

Qualifications

• Experience in client finance or a commercial finance role in an agency or professional services environment.
• Proven track record in revenue forecasting and month-end processes.
• Ability to interpret and challenge financial data.

Responsibilities

• Manage revenue forecasting for Full Agency Client roster.
• Lead month-end calculations for accruals and deferrals.
• Analyze client profitability and financial performance.

Skills

Revenue forecasting

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

Excel proficiency

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

JOB ROLE: The Commercial Analyst is a newly created role within the UK finance/commercial team to strengthen commercial oversight across revenue, forecasting, and client profitability.

This role will act as a bridge between Finance, Business Directors, and PGD — providing accurate insight, improving financial visibility, and supporting better decision-making across the business. We are looking for someone who can own the numbers, challenge assumptions, and partner confidently with senior stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Revenue & Forecasting

• Own and manage revenue forecasting across Full Agency Client roster
• Work closely with Business Directors to build and challenge forecasts
• Ensure revenue is correctly phased in line with activity, Client contracts, and project delivery

Month End & Accounting Support

• Lead on calculating required accruals and deferrals at month end
• Support client revenue recognition
• Provide financial backup and analysis where needed for senior stakeholders

Client Profitability & Commercial Insight

• Analyse client profitability, including salary and cost information
• Analyse timesheet reports and utilisation reports for all departments
• You will understand the analysis and challenges which arise from these figures, including the impact on the overall business performance and outlook

Rates & Commercial Controls

• Support development, review, and maintenance of rate cards
• Help identify commercial risks and opportunities across client portfolios

Reporting & Data Integrity

• Maintain and improve accuracy of financial data across systems
• Identify inconsistencies, risks, or anomalies in reporting
• Help refine and strengthen existing commercial reports

EXPERIENCE/ QUALIFICATIONS:

We are ideally looking for someone who has previously worked across Client finance or in a similar commercial finance role within an agency or professional services environment.

• Previous experience as a WIP controller, Client Accountant, Revenue Accountant or similar Commercial finance role preferable
• Strong demonstrable experience in revenue forecasting and month-end processes
• Strong analytical mindset — able to interpret and challenge data
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders
• Comfortable handling sensitive financial information
• Excel user with strong experience of managing large data files and complex formulas including VLOOKUPs, SUMIFs, MATCH & INDEX functions
• Genuine interest in reporting, data quality, and commercial analysis
• PR/marketing/creative agency background

Additional information

Publicis Groupe operates a hybrid working pattern with full time employees being office-based three days during the working week. We are supportive of all candidates and are committed to providing a fair assessment process. If you have any circumstances (such as neurodiversity, physical or mental impairments or a medical condition) that may affect your assessment, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner. We will discuss possible adjustments to ensure fairness. Rest assured, disclosing this information will not impact your treatment in our process. Please make sure you check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAGs (Employee Action Groups).