Group Financial Controller

Media help partners understand the changing advertising landscape. Specialising in audience measurement consumer targeting and in-depth intelligence into paid owned and earned media their global coverage and local expertise enable better understanding of media audiences and their relationships with brands.

Kantar Media is a wholly owned but operationally independent part of the Kantar Group.

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Job Details

As people increasingly move across channels and platforms Kantar Medias data and audience measurement targeting analytics and advertising intelligence services unlock insights to inform powerful decision-making.

Working with panel and first-party data in over 80 countries we have the worlds fastest growing cross-media measurement footprint underpinned by versatility scale technology and expertise to drive long-term business growth for our clients and partners.

Job Title: Group Financial Controller

Location: London Grays Inn Road

Role Description

Following its separation from Kantar Group and acquisition by H.I.G. Kantar Media is entering a pivotal growth phase. CEO Patrick Bhar and Interim CFO Giles Richardson are seeking an accomplished Interim Group Financial Controller to support the transition to a standalone business.

Reporting to the CFO this strategic role will lead the development of a best-in-class Group Finance functionfocusing on reporting processes and systems. The ideal candidate will be a commercially minded finance leader with strong stakeholder management skills capable of preparing the business for future exit and ensuring smooth post-exit integration.

Much of the separation groundwork is complete and support from Kantar Group will continue via service agreements.

Key Responsibilities

• Managing all financial accounting to a high level and in accordance with IFRS. This includes reporting of the Groups annual and quarterly results to the high standards required by a hands-on PE sponsor akin to that required of a listed entity.
• Managing the Groups financial and accounting policies and controlling governance including management of reporting processes reporting chart of accounts and intercompany transactions. Drive continuous improvement of financial control frameworks promoting best practices to enhance the efficiency and quality of financial reporting processes.
• Balance sheet and cash flow ensure accurate reporting of company-level balance sheet and cash flow building in robust review processes with regional teams. Strong governance and support of intangible assets particular on development of new services products and platforms.
• Responsibility for the development and implementation of the internal control environment of the business. Develop and maintain a strong robust financial control environment to support current business activities and future growth.
• Technical accounting and support supported by the Technical Reporting accounting provide leadership in technical accounting across the Group. Ensuring compliance with IFRS accounting standards and financial regulations. Key point of contact for any finance related questions from the Board and wider business in absence of / in tandem with the CFO.
• Management of the group audit process to a smooth and timely conclusion with no material issues on policy or accounting adjustments.
• Build lead and coach the Head Office finance team and oversee the insourced finance shared service operation.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with internal stakeholders and external parties including the PE sponsor suppliers and advisors.
• Development operation and control of the consolidation and reporting system including managing a project to utilise the system more effectively.
• Support M&A and other significant corporate development activities such as capital programmes restructuring investments and partnerships. This will include planning & modelling transaction support business integration and acquisition / separation accounting.

Skills and qualifications

• Strong technical yet business focused finance professional with a demonstrable track record of career progression in well-regarded PE backed and listed environments
• The ability to drive the finance agenda across the different stakeholders who will have differing views knowledge and appetites towards finance.
  The ability to thrive in a changing and growing international organisation with experience of managing all things finance related in a similarly complex yet collaborative environment. Proven track record of setting up relevant functions in new standalone organisations.
• Comfortable working with significant internal and external pressures. Used to prioritising competing demands on time. Experience of managing in adversity while remaining calm and balanced.
  A degree and ACA (or equivalent) qualification in a well-regarded professional services / blue-chip corporate.
• 10 years of strong financial controllership experience and preferably time spent in the Group Financial Controller role of a listed or PE backed global organisation.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge particularly in IFRS and consolidation accounting
• Demonstrable track record of setting up a standalone Group Finance function in a significant complex organisation.
• Excellent communication and great questioning skills with the authority and credibility to gain respect both internally and externally with people at all levels (including at Board level).
• Specific sector credentials not required but experience of working in fast paced high growth environments is essential.
• A proven capability to work within (or with) a PE-backed business and in a fast-paced environment requiring a hands-on and flexible approach.
  

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