SVP, Client Finance

The Senior Vice President (SVP) of Client Finance is a pivotal leadership role responsible for the financial health and commercial strategy of our client portfolio. Reporting directly to the CFO, this individual will serve as a strategic business partner to client leadership, driving profitability and providing critical financial guidance. The SVP will oversee all aspects of client finance, including client forecasting & budgeting as well as performance analysis, and will play a key role in commercial deal structures and operational efficiency. This role requires a strong leader with financial expertise and a collaborative, client-focused mindset.

Key Responsibilities

● Financial Planning & Analysis: Lead the development of client-level budgets, forecasts, and long-range financial plans, ensuring alignment with agency goals and client needs.

● Operational Reporting & Close: Manage the month-end close process for the client portfolio, including revenue recognition, margin analysis, and variance reporting.

● Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop a team of five finance professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and professional growth.

● Strategic Partnership: Act as a trusted financial and strategic partner to client business leaders, providing insights on commercial performance and identifying opportunities for growth and efficiency.

● Commercial Guidance: Provide expert financial and commercial guidance to the deal desk and project management, including pricing strategies, contract reviews, and profitability assessments for new and existing business.

● Contribution Margin Improvement: Identify and implement strategies to enhance client contribution margin and overall profitability, working closely with business leads and project management.

● Ad-Hoc Analysis & Reporting: Prepare and present detailed ad-hoc financial reports and analyses for clients and internal stakeholders, ensuring data-driven decision-making.

● Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with the project management team to ensure proper project setup, tracking, and billing, and to optimize resource allocation and project profitability.

● ERP Implementation: Actively assist in the implementation of a new ERP system, providing financial requirements, testing support, and change management guidance to ensure a successful rollout.

Qualifications 

● A bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field; a Master's degree or professional certification (CPA, CMA) is preferred but not required.

● Minimum of 15 - 20 years of progressive experience in finance, with at least 10 years in a leadership role.

● Demonstrated experience in a client-facing finance role, preferably within the advertising, marketing, or professional services industries.

● Proven ability to manage and motivate a finance team.

● Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data and translate it into actionable business insights.

● Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders.

● Experience with ERP system implementations is a significant plus.

● Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and budgeting tools.

At MERGE, we’re committed to fostering an environment where our team members can thrive in both their careers and personal lives, ensuring they feel supported and empowered to succeed.

MERGE is proud to invest in benefits that include meaningful Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, 401K, Lifestyle Spending Account, Employer Paid Life & Disability Insurance, Flexible Time off & Holidays plus many other benefits and rewards.

Applicants for employment in the US must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States.