Client Finance Manager (Chicago, Denver, New York)

Motive is a dynamic agency and creative community operating at the speed of culture. Were a collective of deep thinkers creative makers cultural connoisseurs and executional aces. We create meaningful engagements between brands and their audiences cultivating relationships that drive tangible results for our clients. And we do it with sharp strategy and powerful creative executed across all the media and touch-points key to our targets lives.

As pioneers in the area of content digital engagement and innovative experiential programs and award winners for work in TV event digital and social Motive has created a culture where every individual is given an opportunity to stretch and flex their creative and executional muscles daily. We are a team of hard-working fast-moving energetic passionate driven straight-talking creative thinkers. We like being challenged and we love the collaboration necessary to overcome the challenges and succeed.

If this sounds like a place you would thrive lets see if we can make something happen.

Great creative work deserves great financial stewardship.

At Motive our Client Finance team sits at the intersection of creativity client service and business strategy. As a Client Finance Manager youll partner closely with our Account Production and Leadership teams to ensure our work is financially healthy from project kickoff through final billing.

Youll serve as the financial lead for a portfolio of client business; guiding budgets forecasting revenue monitoring project profitability supporting resource planning and ensuring accurate client billing. Youll help our teams make smarter business decisions while giving them the financial visibility they need to deliver exceptional work for our clients.

This isnt a traditional accounting role. Its a highly collaborative position for someone who enjoys translating numbers into insights partnering with cross-functional teams and helping drive better business outcomes.

Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer youll play a key role in strengthening financial discipline across the agency while supporting the entrepreneurial culture that defines Motive.

• Serve as the primary finance partner for an assigned portfolio of client accounts.
• Partner with Account Directors Producers and project teams to establish monitor and manage project budgets.
• Monitor project financial performance identifying risks opportunities and margin trends throughout the lifecycle of work.
• Provide proactive recommendations to improve profitability and financial outcomes.
• Support financial planning for new projects change orders and client scopes.

• Prepare ongoing revenue forecasts for assigned accounts.
• Monitor project burn rates utilization and revenue recognition.
• Ensure financial forecasts accurately reflect project progress and anticipated revenue.
• Partner with leadership to understand revenue trends risks and opportunities.

• Lead the monthly client billing process for assigned accounts.
• Review project costs and reconcile billable and client related non-billable expenses.
• Ensure invoices are accurate timely and aligned with client contracts and billing schedules.
• Partner with Account teams to resolve billing questions and client financial inquiries.
• Monitor outstanding receivables and support collection efforts as needed.

• Develop financial reporting that provides meaningful insights to Account and Agency leadership.
• Responsible for preparing project and client P&Ls.
• Present project financial health profitability and forecasting information in a way that supports decision making.
• Help educate non-financial stakeholders on budgets revenue profitability and financial best practices.
• Partner with Finance leadership during month-end close and reporting activities.
• Lead revenue recognition at month close across the portfolio.
• Provide commentary at month end on revenue variances.

• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes reporting and operational efficiency.
• Help evolve agency financial tools systems and workflows.
• Support implementation of new financial processes and best practices.
• Participate in special financial analyses and strategic initiatives.

• Bachelors degree in Accounting Finance Business or related field.
• 47 years of agency client finance roles and project supporting project-based advertising or creative agency strongly preferred.
• Strong understanding of budgeting forecasting revenue recognition and project profitability.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Comfortable translating financial concepts for non-financial audiences.
• Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities simultaneously.
• Advanced Excel/Google Sheets proficiency.
• Excellent interpersonal skills good listener proactive can stand up and drive changes

• Love solving business problemsnot just balancing spreadsheets.
• Enjoy partnering with creative and client-facing teams.
• Can spot financial risks before they become problems.
• Ask thoughtful questions and challenge assumptions.
• Balance precision with pragmatism.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity in a fast-moving environment.
• Believe finance should help enable great worknot slow it down.

At Motive we believe great ideas deserve great execution and that includes how we manage our business.

Youll join a collaborative Finance team that partners across every discipline in the agency helping shape smarter decisions and stronger client relationships. We move quickly think entrepreneurially and believe financial stewardship is everyones responsibility.

If youre looking for a finance role thats equal parts analytical collaborative and strategic wed love to meet you.

Motive is anequal opportunity employer! We believe that a diverse team makes us stronger and smarter.

Motive recruits employs trains compensates and promotes regardless of race religion color national origin sex disability age veteran status and other protected status as required by applicable law. We offer an inspiring working environment and great benefits including health dental vision matching 401-k unlimited flex time off and more. The starting salary for this position is between $100000 and $125000 annually based on experience.

Motive has a clear vision: to be a creative leader where a diverse mix of talented people want to come to stay and do their best work. We know our company succeeds only through the hard work and dedication of our passionate and creative employees.