Finance Director, North America

About Us

WE is one of the largest communications and integrated marketing agencies in the world. We're independent, we're all about our people - both our clients and our employees - and we believe in the power of communications to move audiences to positive action.

For more than 40 years, we have been helping translate complex innovations into powerful, persuasive stories. Our sector expertise across key verticals - including technology, healthcare, consumer, and brand purpose - translates into insights and strategies that are informed, current and credible.

We work with companies that are embracing the ever-evolving digital world to reinvent themselves, to deliver new value to their customers to reach them in new ways and ultimately improve people's lives.

About The Role

WE Communications' North America Finance Director is responsible for strategy, planning and management of the North America region's financial direction and overall rhythm of the business. Reporting to the CFO, with dotted line responsibility to the CEO of North America, this role will focus on ways to advance the region's business priorities, including facilitate business planning and financial management reporting, oversee key programs, and work to strengthen and grow the agency's collective finance function.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of the regional business strategy from a finance and operations perspective. Be a proactive member of the member of the regional and local management teams to drive the profitable growth of the business.

• Act as a strategic partner and sounding board to the CEO of North America and regional leadership; keeping alignment to goals, strategies, and priorities throughout the year.

• Responsible for managing business processes across the region, simplifying, and streamlining approaches; fostering, sharing, and identifying new opportunities as well as driving a results-oriented team culture among sector leads and regional leadership teams.

• Lead the annual financial planning and monthly forecasting exercise for the North America region. Report on monthly and quarterly financial and business performance to the regional leadership teams.

• Lead and mentor a multi-location team of four FP&A staff which support the North America region.

• Drive tighter linkage and integration between financial/business planning, workforce planning, and compensation practices to ensure our hiring activities are optimized to the revenue stream.

• Act as key business advisor to P&L owners and other senior executives to ensure attainment of revenue and profitability goals, which may involve monthly business monitoring meetings to identify problem areas, trends, and develop remedial action plans.

• Oversight of regional client financial management including determination of client billing rates, cost estimates and quotations. Active participation in new business proposals and RFP process. Manage the regional client contract process with support from the contracts team as well as the financial on-boarding process for new clients.

• Partner with CFO and and CEO of North America on M&A and strategic growth opportunities.

• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business management, Finance, Accounting, or similar applicable field is required. Graduate work or CPA certification a plus.

• 12-14 years of directly related experience is required. Experience within the Professional Services industry with proven ability to lead, manage and influence others is preferred.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; high bandwidth communicator. Ability to effectively present financial information to non-Finance business partners.

• Proven success in managing large projects in a complex environment is preferred

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite (particularly Outlook, Word, SharePoint, PowerPoint, and Excel)

• Professional services pricing and contract negotiation skills

• Proven mentor and team developer

• Ability to work effectively across all functions of the organization.

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Compensation

The base annual salary range for this role, applicable across all U.S. locations, is outlined below. The actual salary may vary based on several factors such as business requirements, job responsibilities, skills, experience, and geographical location.

Salary Range

$154,000-$200,000 USD

Benefits

As part of our commitment to the success and well-being of our team, regular employees working 20 hours or more per week are eligible for the following benefits:

• Comprehensive benefits program including medical, dental, and vision coverage

• Generous time off including PTO, holidays, annual wellness break, summer Fridays and personal days

• 401k plan including company match and financial wellness support

• 16 weeks of paid parental leave for all employees

• 22-24 weeks paid parental leave when coupled with Short-term disability

• 2 weeks caregiver leave

• Support with home office equipment

• Bi-annual Wellness Credits

• Monthly Technology Credit (to offset internet / phone costs)

• Community Engagement Days

• Learning and Development Programs for our employees

Equal Opportunity: WE provides equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against an employee or applicant because of age, race, color, religion, gender, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, or other legally protected class status.

Diversity and Inclusion: WE values a diverse and inclusive workforce and is committed to creating a workplace where everyone thrives. We promote an atmosphere in which diversity of people and ideas are welcomed and valued. Diversity includes differences in race, religion, gender identity or expression, age, lifestyle, ethnic background and sexual orientation as well as differences in experiences and ideas.

As of April 2024, North America non-remote employees are required to come into the office 3 days a week.