Director, Commercial Compliance

About WPP Media

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. With exceptional talent, trusted data and intelligence, and world-class partnerships – all united by our pioneering agentic marketing platform, WPP Open – we help clients navigate change, capture opportunity, and deliver transformational growth. 

WPP Media is WPP's AI-driven media operating unit, bringing together media, data, and partnerships to deliver creative personalisation at scale. Connected through WPP Open and powered by Open Intelligence, clients see exactly where, how, and why their media investment is working.

For more information, visit wppmedia.com .

Director, Commercial Compliance - Finance

About WPP Media

WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients and communities. For more information, visit wpp.com.

WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, people, and partners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, visit wppmedia.com

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust .
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise .

Role Summary and Impact

This is a fantastic opportunity where we are looking for a Commercial Compliance Director to become part of the WPP Media UK Commercial Compliance team, reporting to the Commercial Compliance VP. This is a key role, with an overriding objective to partner with the Chief Commercial Finance Officer, Commercial Compliance VP, and other Senior Commercial and Compliance stakeholders to ensure that the agency is complying with all aspects of its contractual commitments whilst fostering a growth mindset.

This includes working with the Commercial team to ensure that contractual provisions in terms of charging mechanisms and notifications to clients are managed accurately and in a timely manner, whilst always having an eye on the Commercial growth and profitability of WPP Media UK.  The other key aspect of the role is to ensure that systems, controls, and processes are robust, standardised, and applied to eliminate any risk of revenue loss.

Responsibilities

• 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
  • Liaising with third party audit firms, and ensuring that information required is supplied in the correct format and on a timely basis
  • Responsibility for all client notifications and declarations
• Working with the commercial team to apply the correct interpretation of WPP’s contractual commitments and reporting thereof, including liaison with affiliate entities.
• Link between the commercial team and finance in ensuring that commercial terms are correctly applied in terms of charging methodology across all income types.
• Supporting the Commercial Compliance VP in ensuring that new commercial models are compliant and have the required level of governance.
• Provide ad hoc commercial analysis for the Commercial Compliance VP.
• To work with the UK, EMEA and Global commercial teams to maintain the compliance schedule and ensure that it is up to date and that changes are communicated to the relevant account teams immediately.
• To review the existing control processes and suggest improvements.
• Working with the Commercial Team, responsible for onboarding new clients/contracts, communicating key commercial compliance and operational terms, assessing commercial risk and implementing counter measures
• Partner in the development of training and best practice programs to include commercial contractual knowledge and deploy into business providing training where necessary.
• Assist in the maintenance of up-to-date agency commercial guidance documentation and systems
• Communicate to the agency/to appropriate personnel any new financial and commercial group policies and ensure these are being implemented
• Hands on engagement in any agency commercial/contractual projects

Team Leadership & Mentorship

• Manage a small-sized team of supervisors, professionals, and/or analysts, fostering a collaborative and high-performing environment.
• Provide ongoing coaching, training, and development opportunities to enhance team skills and contribute to their professional growth.

Skills and Experience

At WPP Media, we believe in the power of our culture and our people. It’s what elevates us to deliver exceptional experiences for both our clients and each other. In this role it will be critical to embrace WPP & WPP Media’s shared core values:

• Be Extraordinary by Leading Collectively to Inspire transformational Creativity.
• Create an Open environment by Balancing People and Client Experiences by Cultivating Trust .
• Lead Optimistically by Championing Growth and Development to Mobilize the Enterprise .

• Qualified accountant/auditor or someone holding a legal qualification
• Industry Commercial / Compliance / Financial experience
• Knowledge of core agency concepts – agency benefits, disclosed buying models, undisclosed inventory, vendor contracts & remuneration models
• Capacity for multi-tasking and meeting multiple simultaneous deadlines
• High levels of gravitas with strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate well, build trust and engender strong relationships
• Commercially astute:

• Capable of unravelling commercial contracts and interpreting them for Commercial Compliance purposes
• An innate ability to navigate the “grey” and negotiate commercial situations/contracts to the benefit of the agency
• Demonstrates good commercial logic and reasoning

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail:
  • Logical, concise and proficient at breaking down challenges into component parts and developing solutions-based responses
  • Forward thinking and a detailed planner
  • A natural attention to detail and ability to digest information from a wide variety of sources
• Open-minded, adept at developing/ assessing different options and solutions and adopting a helicopter view when needed
• Extensive experience of Financial/audit best practice
• Advanced knowledge and skills within commercial management, with an understanding of the impact of this work on other areas of the organisation (e.g., Finance, Legal, Client Leadership).
• Strong experience in managing client compliance audit negotiations.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven ability to manage and develop a team, providing clear instruction and constructive feedback.
• Proactive approach, a logical and analytical thought process, with good attention to detail and high level of accuracy in their output
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to problem solve.
• Ability to work under pressure and to tight timelines
• Highly proficient with Excel (Advanced excel skills)

Life at WPP Media & Benefits

Our passion for shaping the next era of media includes investing in our employees to help them do their best work, and we’re just as committed to employee growth as we are to responsible media investment. WPP Media employees can tap into the global WPP Media & WPP networks to pursue their passions, grow their networks, and learn at the cutting edge of marketing and advertising. We have a variety of employee resource groups and host frequent in-office events showcasing team wins, sharing thought leadership, and celebrating holidays and milestone events. Our benefits include competitive medical, group retirement plans, vision, and dental insurance, significant paid time off, preferential partner discounts, and employee mental health awareness days.  

WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to 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.

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

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