Junior Finance Controller - Business Development

Company Description

Publicis Media harnesses the power of modern media through leading agency brands Dysrupt, Infinite Roar, Publicis Collective, Publicis Health Media, Spark Foundry, Starcom and Zenith, as well as global accelerator PMX; immersive experience group PMCI and access to integrated platform-based technologies and offerings from CJ, Epsilon and Influential. A key business solution of Publicis Groupe, Publicis Media’s digital-first, data-driven global solutions deliver client value and drive growth in a platform-powered world. It is present in over 100 countries with over 23,000 employees worldwide.

Overview

Reporting to: Global Media - Finance Manager

Location: 2 Television Centre 101 Wood Lane, London W12 7FR

The Opportunity

We are looking for a motivated and ambitious Junior Controller to join the Global Media HQ Finance team. Reporting to the Global Media Finance Manager, you will take ownership of a broad international scope combining entity controlling, financial planning, cost and recharge management, and business partnering.

You will support the end-to-end finance activities of Global Media HQ reporting units, with particular exposure to business-development-related costs and initiatives. The role brings together rigorous monthly reporting, forward-looking analysis and close collaboration with finance and operational stakeholders across the organisation.

This is a visible, hands-on opportunity for someone who enjoys turning detailed financial information into clear insight and dependable execution. You will contribute to stronger forecasting, disciplined cost management and practical process improvements while developing a broad foundation across controlling.

Why this role stands out

International exposure across finance, operations and business teams

Meaningful ownership of monthly reporting and forward-looking planning

A strong platform to develop financial controlling and business partnering skills

Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Financial Controlling & Month-End

• Prepare monthly management accounts for Global Media HQ reporting units, covering operating costs, recharges and related financial flows.
• Manage month-end activities, including journal entries, account reviews, P&L updates and completion of required reporting schedules.
• Own monthly balance sheet reconciliations and investigate outstanding or unusual items through resolution.
• Partner with HR and Payroll teams on headcount and salary reconciliations, including joiners, leavers, transfers and required cost allocations.
• Monitor purchase orders, invoices and intercompany transactions and support timely, accurate billing and cost recognition.
• Maintain clear supporting documentation and contribute to robust financial controls and audit readiness.

Planning, Forecasting & Groupe Reporting

• Take ownership of the monthly rolling forecast, updating confirmed and pipeline personnel costs, operating expenses and recharge assumptions.
• Support annual budget and periodic forecast cycles, coordinating inputs with stakeholders and uploading approved submissions into HFM.
• Prepare P&L analysis and explain actual-versus-budget and actual-versus-forecast variances with clear commentary and recommended actions.
• Support Groupe reporting requirements, including flash reporting, short-term forecasts and the resolution of reporting mismatches.
• Help improve forecast accuracy, reporting consistency and the quality of management information.

Finance Support to Operations

• Provide financial support for ad-hoc requests from operational stakeholders.
• Partner with business stakeholders to track costs, commitments and financial impacts, ensuring appropriate visibility and timely follow-up.
• Support the allocation and recharge of eligible costs across reporting units or markets, maintaining clear documentation and audit trails.
• Contribute to financial analysis and ad-hoc requests that help the Finance Manager and business teams make informed decisions.

Business Partnering & Process Improvement

• Build effective relationships with finance, HR, Payroll and operational teams across the organisation.
• Communicate financial information clearly, tailoring the level of detail to the audience and highlighting risks, actions and ownership.
• Work proactively and as a key player, with stakeholders to resolve discrepancies and keep deliverables on track.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise and strengthen finance processes, reporting and stakeholder communication.

Qualifications

What You'll Bring

Experience

• Previous relevant experience in financial controlling, audit or accounting.
• Hands-on experience in management reporting, forecasting, P&L analysis and closing reconciliation.
• Experience working in a complex, international or multi-stakeholder environment.
• Exposure to intercompany transactions, cost recharges and to various levels of seniority

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong analytical skills and confidence working with detailed financial data.
• Advanced Excel capability, including financial models, reconciliations and variance analysis.
• Good understanding of ERP and financial planning systems such as SAP and Hyperion, or equivalent tools.
• Professional fluency in English, with clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, meet deadlines and respond constructively to changing requirements.

How You Work

You combine attention to detail with an understanding of the wider business context.

You take initiative, follow through on commitments and look for practical solutions.

You build trust through accuracy, transparency and constructive stakeholder engagement.

You are curious, adaptable and motivated to improve the way finance operates.

You enjoy collaborating across functions, cultures and levels of seniority.

What We Offer

A visible role within the Global Media HQ Finance organisation, with meaningful ownership from day one.

International exposure and collaboration with finance and operational stakeholders across multiple reporting units.

The opportunity to develop a broad skill set across controlling, operational support and business partnering.

A collaborative environment that values curiosity, continuous improvement and professional development.

Flexible working, with 4 days per week in the London office. Right to work in the UK.

Ready to make an impact?

Join Global Media Finance and help turn financial insight into stronger decisions, disciplined execution and sustainable growth.

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Additional Information

Publicis Media offers a wide range of benefits to support our employees. Full details are shared when you join, but highlights include core benefits such as Pension, Life Assurance, and Private Medical cover, alongside enhanced policies like Reflection Days and Shared Parental Leave. You’ll also have access to a range of additional initiatives, including:

Please check out the Publicis Career Page which showcases our Inclusive Benefits and our EAG’s (Employee Action Groups).

Publicis Groupe works primarily from the office or our clients' office four days per week.

At Publicis Media, we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age, citizenship, relationship status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic.

We are committed to providing a fair, accessible, and inclusive recruitment process. If you have any access needs - for example, related to disability, neurodivergence, or a health condition - please let us know. We’ll work with you to ensure the process works for you. Sharing this information will never impact your application.

Guided by our values, we listen with empathy, uplift each other, take responsibility, and embrace change - building a culture where everyone feels seen, respected, and genuinely included.

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