Project Manager, Finance Transformation

We are seeking an experienced Project Manager to drive the successful execution of critical finance transformation initiatives across WPP's global network. Reporting to the Global Finance Transformation Program Director this role is crucial for delivering specific transformation projects and workstreams, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards. You will leverage your strong project management skills and finance transformation knowledge to manage complex initiatives, ensuring meticulous planning, execution, and communication across diverse stakeholder groups. This position offers a high-impact opportunity to contribute directly to the future of WPP's finance function, achieving operational excellence and strategic value.

Key Responsibilities: The Project Manager, Finance Transformation will be instrumental in the delivery of key projects within WPP's global finance transformation roadmap. Your core responsibilities will include:

• Project Delivery & Execution: Manage the end-to-end execution of complex, multi-year global finance transformation workstreams across the center, agency, and shared service center levels, ensuring strict adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Detailed Planning & Scheduling: Develop comprehensive project plans, schedules, and resource allocations, translating strategic objectives into actionable tasks and milestones. Maintain a meticulous focus on all project components and deliverables.
• Stakeholder Coordination & Communication: Coordinate with key project stakeholders across finance, agencies, and SSCs, providing structured and concise updates to ensure alignment and clarity.
• Executive Reporting & Storytelling: Develop high‑quality SteerCo and board‑ready materials, integrating clear narratives, structured status reporting, metrics, risks, and key decisions required to ensure senior stakeholders have a complete, concise view of project progress.
• Interdependency Management: Track and manage interdependencies across the wider transformation programme, ensuring sequencing, impacts, and linkages are fully understood and communicated.
• PMO Collaboration & Adherence: Collaborate closely with the PMO function, adhering to established governance frameworks, reporting standards, and processes to ensure alignment with the broader transformation program.
• Risk & Issue Management: Proactively identify, assess, track, and mitigate project-level risks, dependencies, and potential roadblocks, developing robust contingency plans and escalating critical issues to Global Finance Transformation Program Director.
• Resource & Team Facilitation: Facilitate effective collaboration among project team members (often distributed globally) and cross-functional groups, fostering a positive and productive working environment. Informally mentor junior team members as appropriate.
• Process Improvement & Documentation: Support process re-engineering efforts within assigned projects, ensuring detailed documentation of new processes, system requirements, and functional specifications.
• Workshop Facilitation: Design and facilitate project workshops with various stakeholders, including senior management, to gather requirements, drive consensus, and achieve project objectives.
• Innovation Application: Stay current on relevant finance transformation trends and tools, identifying opportunities to enhance project delivery.

Desired Skills & Experiences:

We are seeking a highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven individual who can successfully navigate complex project environments. You will be instrumental in executing critical transformation initiatives, ensuring meticulous planning, diligent execution, and transparent communication. You must be adept at managing competing priorities, coordinating diverse project teams, and fostering strong working relationships with stakeholders across various functions and geographies. Your ability to translate strategic goals into tangible project deliverables and drive them to completion will be key to your success.

Project Management Expertise:

• 7-10 years of progressive experience in project management within large-scale, global transformation initiatives, with a significant focus on finance transformation.
• Proven track record of successfully managing complex projects, involving multiple workstreams, diverse stakeholders, and frequently competing priorities, to strict deadlines and budgets.
• Strong understanding and practical application of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid approaches).
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., Jira, Asana, Microsoft Project, Smartsheet).

Finance Transformation Knowledge:

• Solid understanding of finance transformation concepts, including operating model design, shared services, process re-engineering, and ERP/Cloud finance system implementations.
• Experience with financial systems implementations (e.g., Workday Financials) or HR system transformations, shared service center stand-up/optimization.

Communication & Stakeholder Management:

• Exceptional communication and presentation skills (written and oral), with a proven ability to communicate effectively and articulately at all organizational levels, from technical teams to senior leadership.
• Meticulous attention to detail in planning, execution, and reporting.
• Exceptional ability to cultivate strong working relationships with project stakeholders across various functions and agencies, ensuring alignment and effective collaboration.

Problem-Solving & Analytical Acumen:

• Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving abilities, capable of identifying root causes, developing effective solutions, and managing project-level risks.
• Experience with project budget tracking, reconciliation, and reporting.

Leadership & Personal Attributes:

• A strong project leader with the ability to influence without direct authority, motivate teams, and drive accountability.
• Self-starter with a proactive, outcome-oriented mindset and the flexibility to navigate continuous, complex change.
• High degree of integrity, professionalism, and ethical conduct.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Quick learner with the ability to understand new finance processes, systems, and project contexts rapidly.

Education & Certifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Certification in Project Management (PMP) or Agile (e.g., Scrum Master) is highly desirable.
• Experience with change management principles (e.g., Prosci) within project delivery

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: We are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we'll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

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