Finance Manager

Role: Finance Manager

About the position

We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to support our advertising agencys financial operations reporting and compliance. The role involves close collaboration with cross-functional teams and requires strong analytical and organizational skills. This role will also support operations across MENA region.

Key responsibilities

1. Financial Operations

• Support the Finance Director in day-to-day financial operations including accounts payable/receivable billing and reconciliations.
• Monitor campaign costs vendor invoices and ensure timely settlements.
• Assist in preparing client billing schedules (retainers project-based fees media costs).

2. Budgeting & Forecasting

• Preparation of annual budgets forecasts and periodic re-forecasts.
• Track budget vs. actuals on campaigns and departmental spends.
• Support teams with cost estimates and budget planning for pitches and new projects.

3. Revenue & Cost Tracking

• Monitor Work-in-Progress (WIP) balances and accrued income.
• Track revenue recognition per project timelines especially under IFRS 15.
• Ensure production and third-party costs are captured and billed accurately.

4. Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare monthly management reports and variance analysis.
• Provide financial data to account managers and project leads for performance tracking.
• Support profitability analysis by client campaign or service line.

5. Audit & Compliance

• Assist with internal and external audits by preparing schedules and supporting documentation.
• Ensure compliance with tax regulations including VAT.
• Help maintain strong internal controls and adherence to company policies.

6. ERP/Financial Systems Management

• Work with finance systems (NetSuite) used in the agency.
• Ensure accuracy of entries and assist in system reconciliations and upgrades.

7. Team & Stakeholder Support

• Collaborate with account production and media teams to align financials with project delivery.
• Respond to queries from leadership auditors or external vendors.
• Support finance team members in daily tasks and serve as a point of contact in the Finance Managers absence.

What We Offer

For the right team member we will offer a competitive salary and benefits package which includes;

• Great holidays: 23 days annual holiday plus birthday day off.

• Great flexibility: 4 days in office and Friday WFH plus 10 days of working from

anywhere in the world.

• Great benefits: private healthcare plan and perks.

• Great professional development: a mentoring progamme at global level and

generous training budgets to support your career pathway and

• Great fun: a blended working culture and celebration days to socialise bond and

learn together.

About Us

We were born out of the need for strategic and brutally effective creativity in the region. With every successful campaign we have grown and cherry-picked the best professionals to work with us from all over the region and the 2012 we opened our Abu Dhabi office and expanded the team with our Dubai office in 2016. From these offices we manage a number of local and global brands in Europe GCC and of course the UAE. Brutal Simplicity of Thought is the creative philosophy of M&C Saatchi. It defines the way we work and the work we produce. We believe: Its easier to complicate than simplify. Simple ideas enter the brain quicker and stay there longer. Brutal Simplicity of Thought is therefore a painful necessity.

About M&C Saatchi Group

M&C Saatchi Group is a creative federation of companies who navigate create and lead meaningful change for clients across five specialist divisions connected through people culture data technology and creativity M&C Saatchi Group aims to unlock new value for clients and leave a positive impact on the world.

M&C Saatchi Groups work is informed by two core principles - Brutal Simplicity of Thought and Diversity of Thought. Together they guide how problems are solved and integrated specialist teams are built. Headquartered in London M&C Saatchi Group have circa 2500 employees globally of which 720 employees are UK based. Our operations span 23 countries with major hubs in the UK Europe Middle East & Africa Asia and Australia.