About WPP Medi a WPP is a creative transformation company. We use the power of creativity to build better futures for our HR, planet, clients and communities. WPP Media is WPP’s global media collective. In a world where media is everywhere and in everything, we bring the best platform, HR, and part ners together to create limitless opportunities for growth. For more information, v isit www.wppmedia.c om The UK is the largest market within the WPP Media EMEA region, where 4,500 HR are employed within the WPP Media ecosystem. Marquee UK key clients include the likes of Amazon, BT, Tesco, Coca Cola, Bayer, Dell, Unilever, M&S, Ford, Nestle, Mazda, Danone and Colgate. We have a bold ambition: to make WPP Media UK the undisputed leader in our industry, the place where everyone aspires to work and build a thriving career. The Opportunity WPP Media is transforming! We are evolving our business operating model, our ways of working and placing data, technology and AI at the heart of everything we do for our people and our clients. As part of this transformation journey, we are evolving our Finance function and capabilities, to partner with the business to deliver our overarching growth strategy. This is an opportunity to support the UK Chief Financial Officer in transforming our Controllership function to be a future facing, data driven, technologically advanced capability that strategically supports WPP Media. This finance leadership role will oversee the evolution of our UK Controllership function in collaboration with the CFO UK and be a passionate advocate for an exceptional employee journey, and the architect of a truly high-performing culture. • • Reports to: WPP Media UK CFO Primary collaborators: UK Finance Leadership Team, being Director of FP&A, Chief Commercial Finance Officer, Finance Director of Operations and Finance Director of Proprietary Trading Direct Reports: Agency Senior Financial Controllers (8), Head of Financial Reportin g & Control • Role Summary and Impact Leadership of the controllership specialism at WPP Media, leading a te am of c.60 • • Financial Reporting: Accountable for the on-time completion of financial reporting in line with the WPP Reporting Calendar, which comprises monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual submissions. Statutory Audit: Accountable for on-time delivery of Group audit, statutory audits and SOX p roviding oversight and guidance to the Senior Financial Controllers supporting each statutory audit, and as the main point of escalation for external auditors when issues or delays arrive. • Balance Sheet Integrity: Accountable for the robustness of the UK market balance sheet. Lead monthly balance sheet reviews with each Senior Financial Controller to ensure that IFRS and WPP Accounting Policies are being followed and that aged or subjective balances are being proactively managed. • • Control remediation: Co-ordinate controllership team delivery of Internal Audit, Sox Testing and Trading Audits (the latter in relation to controllership activities only). Lead the remediation of deficiencies noted in the aforementioned audits. Controllership Strategy: In partnership with the UK CFO, define the strategy for controller ship in the market, including defining roles and responsibilities both within the controllership specialism, and where the team partners with other financial specialisms such as Operations, Commercial and FP&A. • • • Resourcing: Ensure that the team is adequately resourced, and that workload is balanced across the team, escalating hiring needs to the UK CFO. Promote a high-performance wo rk ethic within the team and lead by example in prioritising training and career g rowth. Taxation: Accountable for the accurate and on-time submission of tax deliverables, e.g. Corporation Tax returns, VAT Returns and PSA submissions. Partner with experts in Direct and Indirect tax to apply best practice to the UK market. Lead in taking a proactive approach to tax risk management. Technical Accounting: Accountable for the application of IFRS and WPP Accounting policies in UK market. Responsible for drafting or reviewing technical accounting papers on areas of judgement. Enhance the creation and storage of this documentation to serve as a reference point for the team. Process: leads initiatives to enhance operational efficiency within financial reporting, reviewing existing processes and implementing innovative solutions to streamline practices. Technology: Embrace the application of the AI tools available to the team via WP P Open. Champion the application of AI to controllership tasks and ensure that successful innovation is c onsistently applied across the team. • • Essential Skills and Characteristics • • Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or equivalent) with strong PQE Significant and recent experience required from audit practice to be able to understa nd audit approaches and challenges as appropriate • • • • • • Ideally experience within Media, Advertising or equivalent IFRS Accounting Ability to influence key senior stakeholders across finance Strong analytical skills, proactive and investigative mindset Desire for continuous learning & improvement Experience of Auditor transition is desi rable Key areas of interes t: • AI Innovation & Implementation: Exposure to, or a natural curiosity in, how AI can be used in HR to drive efficiency, data-driven decision-making, and enhanced employee experiences. Team Leadership & Development: Proven ability to lead, coach, and develop high-performing people teams, with a focus on elevating capabilities and fostering a culture of curiosity and continuous learning • • • • Driving Organizational Change: A successful track record of leading and implementing change or new processes initiatives within finance and across the broader organization Complex Stakeholder Management: Exceptional ability to navigate and influence diverse internal and external stakeholders Excellent Communication Skills: Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills, adaptable to various audiences • • DEI Champion: A genuine commitment to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace Client-Centric Mindset: A focus on delivering exceptional service internally and ex ternally WPP Media is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics.