Overview

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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

Commercial Director – Ogilvy UK 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; and Do it together—ensuring an inclusive environment that promotes equity and celebrates diversity.

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 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), with 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: Introduce ideas to evolve internal reporting systems, challenge the status quo, and optimise processes for efficiency and compliance.
• Reporting & Compliance: Oversee all reporting 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

You're a highly experienced, commercially astute, and strategically-minded finance leader with a proven track record of driving financial performance in a fast-paced environment.

We're Looking For Someone Who

• Is a Qualified Accountant: With significant post-qualification experience, ideally from an advertising, media, or project-based professional services background.
• Possesses deep Commercial Finance Expertise: You understand client profitability, pricing strategies, and contract negotiation inside out.
• Is a natural Strategic Partner: You build strong, trusted relationships with senior client leadership and non-finance stakeholders, influencing decisions with clear, actionable insights.
• Is an Exceptional Leader: You have a proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop large finance teams (specifically a team of 24), fostering a collaborative and high-performing culture, with experience in shaping team structures.
• Is an Analytical Powerhouse: You excel at financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and profitability analysis, translating complex data into compelling narratives.
• Is a Process & System Innovator: You are proactive in challenging the status quo, identifying improvements, and embracing technology for efficiency.
• Is Results-Oriented: Driven to achieve financial targets and contribute directly to business growth.
• Is Values-Driven: Committed to fostering 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 Matching Pension Structure
• Wellbeing and Health: up to £25 per month towards fitness and wellbeing services and development budgets
• Season Ticket Loan and Cycle to Work Scheme
• Life Assurance

Ogilvy is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination. If you need any assistance seeking a job opportunity or accommodations during the application process, please contact accommodations@ogilvy.com.

Seniority level

• Director

Employment type

• Contract

Job function

• Finance and Sales
• Industries: Advertising Services, Media Production, and Online Audio and Video Media