Global Programme Director - Finance Technology

London

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As part of WPPs Elevate28 strategy, we are accelerating a major Finance Technology transformation to simplify, modernise and standardise the platforms, data and processes that underpin G lobal F inance. This portfolio is critical to statutory reporting, management reporting, forecasting, planning, control, performance management , compliance, and executive decision-making.

TheGlobal Programme Director - Finance Technology will shape, govern and drive WPP’s global Finance Technology transformation portfolio. This senior enterprise leadership role turns a complex, multi-year agenda into a coherent roadmap that simplifies the finance technology estate, strengthens control and resilience, and enables faster, more trusted business insight.

The role spans Finance ERP standardisation, consolidation platform replacement, enterprise performance management, revenue forecasting, analytics, finance datafoundationsand operating model change. It will work across Group Finance, Enterprise Technology, agencies, markets,regionsand delivery partners to align priorities, secure decisions, manage trade-offs and ensure investment delivers measurable enterprise value.

This is a director-level role requiring strategic judgement, executive influence, commercialdisciplineand the ability to create clarity,momentumand delivery confidence across a high-profile transformation portfolio.

What you'll be doing:

• Shape and sequence the global Finance ERP roadmap, moving WPP towards fewer platforms, common templates, harmonised controls and reduced process variation
• Lead the transition from legacy consolidation tooling to a resilient enterprise performance management capability across consolidation, planning, forecasting, reporting and analytics
• Strengthen delivery confidence, investment discipline and benefits realisation across a high-value portfolio with significant executive visibility and business risk
• Define the global Finance Technology portfolio vision, investment narrative and multi-year roadmap across Finance ERP, consolidation, enterprise performance management, forecasting, analytics and finance data
• Translate finance transformation priorities into a clear, sequenced and deliverable portfolio that balances strategic value, delivery capacity, affordability, risk and business disruption
• Establish strong portfolio governance, investment controls, stage gates, assurance and executive reporting to support timely, evidence-based decisions
• Lead and orchestrate a portfolio of finance transformation programmes, ensuring clear sponsorship, ownership, outcomes, funding, delivery accountability and benefits realisation
• Manage portfolio risks, dependencies, resources, budgets, delivery confidence and executive escalations across Finance, Enterprise Technology, data, architecture, security, controls, suppliers, markets and agencies
• Build trusted relationships with senior Finance, Enterprise Technology, agency, market and regional leaders to align priorities, resolve trade-offs and maintain enterprise momentum
• Shape business cases, funding recommendations and portfolio choices using clear analysis of cost, benefit, risk, sequencing, control impact and business value
• Manage system integrators, software vendors and delivery partners against commitments, outcomes, commercial levers and performance expectations
• Lead and coach programme directors, delivery leads, PMOs and matrixed teams to raise delivery standards, strengthen transparency and build a culture of accountability.

What you'll need:

• Extensive experience leading large-scale finance technology, ERP, enterprise performancemanagementor corporate systems transformation in a global organisation.
• Proventrack recordof leading multi-year transformation portfolios with significant budgets, multiple delivery partners, complexgovernanceand senior executive sponsorship.
• Strong understanding of finance operating models and core finance capabilities, including ERP, consolidation, planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting, analytics,controlsand finance data.
• Director-level leadership presence, with the credibility to influence C-suite leaders, Finance executives, technology leaders, agencies,marketsand external partners.
• Strong capability in portfolio governance, investment management, business case development, budget ownership, benefits realisation, assurance,RAIDand dependency management.
• Commercially confident, with experience managing vendors, system integrators and delivery partners against commitments,outcomesand performance measures.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex finance, technology and delivery issues into clear executive insight,decisionsand recommendations.
• Ability to create clarity in ambiguity, resolve competing priorities and lead matrixed teams across geographies,functionsand business units.
• Strong understanding of change, adoption, business readiness, service transition, processownershipand operating model embedding.
• Resilient, commercially minded and outcome-focused, with high integrity, strongjudgementand the confidence to challenge constructively when value, control or delivery confidence is at risk.

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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We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.

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