Senior Finance Business Partner

Job Description:

Senior Finance Business Partner

Permanent | Dublin | Hybrid

About Us

Dentsu is an integrated growth and transformation partner to the world's leading organizations. Founded in 1901 in Tokyo, Japan, and now present in over 145 countries and regions, it has a proven track record of nurturing and developing innovations, combining the talents of its global network of leadership brands to develop impactful and integrated growth solutions for clients. Dentsu delivers end-to-end experience transformation (EX) by integrating its services across Media, CXM and Creative, while its business transformation (BX) mindset pushes the boundaries of transformation and sustainable growth for brands, people and society.

The finance team supports commercial decision-making, financial performance and operational efficiency across the business. Working in partnership with senior stakeholders and operational teams, it provides the insight, challenge and governance needed to support sustainable growth. You will join a collaborative team where clear expectations, ongoing support and independence enable you to take ownership and raise issues proactively.

Purpose of the Role

The Senior Finance Business Partner plays a critical role in driving financial performance, supporting commercial decision-making and improving operational efficiency across the business. You will partner closely with senior stakeholders to provide insight, challenge assumptions and support strategic initiatives, ensuring accurate financial reporting, robust forecasting and strong financial governance. This is a commercially focused role that also includes hands-on reporting, controls and operational finance responsibilities.

• Lead monthly forecasting, budgeting and long-range planning processes, including revenue forecasting sessions with relevant stakeholders.
• Analyse financial performance, identifying risks, opportunities and key business drivers, and deliver clear variance analysis against budget, forecast and prior periods.
• Support scenario planning and financial modelling for strategic initiatives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders and operational leads, providing commercial insight to support contract pricing and client profitability.
• Challenge assumptions and influence decision-making to improve financial outcomes, accountability and performance.
• Deliver timely and accurate monthly reporting packs with clear commentary and develop and enhance reporting tools such as Power BI dashboards.
• Monitor key performance indicators, including revenue, margin, utilisation, aged debt and unbilled revenue, ensuring consistency, accuracy and continuous improvement in reporting.
• Maintain oversight of revenue recognition, cost allocation, accruals and relevant balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring compliance with internal controls, policies and financial procedures.
• Support internal and external audit processes through accurate documentation and analysis, while driving continuous improvement in financial processes and controls.
• Partner with operational teams to improve working-capital metrics, including aged debt, unbilled balances and billing accuracy, and support cash-flow forecasting and analysis.
• Manage, mentor and support finance team members, including a Commercial Finance Analyst and Finance Operations Supervisor, contributing to capability development, knowledge sharing and a culture of continuous improvement and learning.
• Build effective relationships with the Finance Director and Senior Leadership Team, Client Services and Account Leads, Commercial and Operational teams, FP&A, Group Finance, shared-service colleagues and external auditors.

Qualifications & Skills

• A qualified accountant; ACCA, CIMA or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong experience in financial planning and analysis, including forecasting, budgeting, long-range planning and variance analysis.
• Demonstrable finance business-partnering experience, with the confidence to advise, challenge and influence senior stakeholders and operational leaders.
• Strong commercial acumen, with experience supporting pricing, client profitability, scenario planning and strategic decision-making.
• A track record of delivering accurate management reporting, financial commentary and insight across key revenue, margin, utilisation and working-capital metrics.
• Strong financial-control and governance capabilities, including knowledge of revenue recognition, cost allocation, accruals, balance sheet reconciliations and audit requirements.
• Advanced financial-modelling, analytical and Excel skills, with the ability to turn complex financial information into clear, actionable recommendations.
• Experience developing reporting tools and dashboards; Power BI experience is beneficial.
• Strong communication, collaboration and relationship-management skills across finance, commercial and operational teams.
• Self-motivated and comfortable working independently, managing competing priorities, improving processes and maintaining accuracy in a fast-moving environment.
• A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to mentor colleagues and support team capability development and knowledge sharing.
• Experience in a media agency environment and with ERP systems such as MediaOcean, Microsoft Dynamics 365 or similar would be advantageous.

What We Offer

This is a permanent role.

The team is based in our Dublin office and operates under hybrid working arrangements.

As well as a competitive salary, you will enjoy a benefits package that you can tailor to your needs.

Inclusion & Diversity

At Dentsu, we embrace diversity and inclusion, valuing the unique perspectives and contributions of every individual. We believe that diversity fuels creativity and innovation, benefiting our employees, partners, and communities.

We welcome applications from all individuals, regardless of race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, marital status, or any other protected characteristic. Beyond recruitment, we strive to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

We recognise the importance of work-life balance and are open to discussing flexible working arrangements for all roles. If you need reasonable adjustments due to a disability or medical condition during our recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected], quoting the reference number of the role that you are applying for. Your needs will be handled with respect and confidentiality to ensure an inclusive and accessible experience.

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