Background on the Transformation Centre of Excellence
The EMEA Transformation Centre of Excellence was developed to support all 38 EMEA markets with the roll-out of a standardized operating model built off the back of work that started in the APAC region. This includes the standardization of applications across the region, through custom built solutions for media, media finance and core finance. The systems are built off standardized processes owned by the Regional Process Owners (RPOs) across four functions, Digital Media, Traditional Media, Media Finance and Core Finance. The people aspects of the transformation are owned by the Business Transformation pillar which looks to develop the overall operating model through development of the organization structure, business case, governance and change management blueprint. The final pillar looks to achieve efficiency through Robotics Process Automation, by leveraging RPA tools to automate manual work.
Core finance includes the following end to end (E2E) areas: order to cash, procure to pay, record to report, treasury, taxation, payroll, timesheets and expenses.
Roles and Responsibilities
• Reports to the EMEA Process Lead
• EMEA process owner of the core finance processes across GroupM and it’s Media Agencies, and subsequent integration with Media Finance.
• Responsibility for operationalization of the EMEA and Project Advance strategy and direction of ongoing core finance process improvement under direction from the EMEA Process Lead, and strategic direction of the Centre of Excellence.
• Responsibility for aligning the EMEA core finance processes to latest global standard processes
• Responsibility for driving the continuous improvement of the E2E core finance processes (bottom-up)
• Responsibility for implementing transformation initiatives for the E2E core finance process (top down)
o Leading process workshops, documentation of processes and deviations
o Understanding system and organization structure implications of processes
o Leading finance process training for EMEA markets
• Drive process standardization, simplification, and improvement initiatives in core finance E2E process
o Integrate into standardized ways of working across all pillars in the Center of Excellence
• Development of supporting material in accordance with the direction of the Centre of Excellence
• Responsible for aligning with global project initiatives for the core finance processes
• Ensure adherence to global process policies, internal controls and perform quality reviews to monitor risks
• Drive adherence to and improvement of core finance processes both in the agencies, GroupM central finance and WPP SSC
• Any other duties which reasonably form part of the duties of the process team
• Supporting ad hoc transformation projects
Capabilities
• Accounting tertiary qualification and accreditation
• Experience in financial management role preferrable
• Familiar with SOX controls and control design
• Solid understanding of core finance process operations
• Previous experience in process mapping using process mapping tools
• Strong stakeholder management skills with demonstrated ability to deal with different nationalities, cultural backgrounds, and conventions in EMEA
• Understanding and appreciation of how to operate and deliver change within the varied cultural environments in the EMEA region
• Project experience, with a track record of continuous improvement and partnering in a multinational environment
• Stakeholder management and conflict resolution skills
• Continuous improvement and quality orientation
• Ability to work independently and systematically
• Ability to work in an environment that is agile and constantly changing
• Flexibility and ability to work under pressure
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Business fluent in English
• Willingness to travel internationally
