Finance Director, Burson
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Finance Director
Reporting to: Norway and Sweden Market Leader & EMEA CFO
Location: Sweden
Who we are:
Burson is the global communications leader built to create value for clients through reputation. With highly specialized teams, industry-leading technologies and breakthrough creative, we help brands and businesses redefine reputation as a competitive advantage so they can lead today and into the future. When you work at Burson, you are part of a global community of lifelong learners who thrive at the edge of innovation.
Burson is part of WPP (LSE/NYSE: WPP), the creative transformation company. For more information visit bursonglobal.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.
More About the role
Burson is seeking a commercially focused Finance Director, to lead finance across our Swedish market, with oversight of Norway. This is a senior market finance leadership role, partnering closely with local and regional leadership to drive financial performance, strengthen operational discipline and support sustainable growth across the two markets.
The role will be responsible for financial planning, reporting, forecasting, controls, compliance and commercial finance support across a business of approximately $10m revenue. It requires someone who can operate strategically, but who is also comfortable being close to the detail in a smaller market environment.
We are looking for a pragmatic, hands-on and commercially astute finance leader who can provide clear insight, challenge and counsel to leadership teams, while ensuring strong governance, accurate reporting and effective financial management.
What you’ll do:
- Lead finance across Sweden and Norway, ensuring strong financial management, governance and commercial discipline across both markets.
- Act as a trusted finance partner to both market leadership, providing clear insight, challenge and counsel to support business performance and decision-making.
- Own the budgeting, forecasting and planning processes, ensuring alignment with local market priorities, regional expectations and group reporting requirements.
- Provide accurate, timely and meaningful financial reporting, including revenue, profitability, margin, cost management, cash flow and working capital performance.
- Translate financial data into clear commercial insight, identifying trends, risks and opportunities that help leaders make informed decisions.
- Partner with client and business leads on pricing, profitability, resourcing and commercial decision-making to support sustainable growth.
- Oversee month-end, quarter-end and year-end close processes, working closely with local, regional, shared service and group finance teams.
- Ensure the integrity of financial records, reporting and controls, maintaining compliance with Burson/WPP policies and relevant Swedish and Norwegian requirements.
- Lead on audit, tax, statutory reporting and external advisor relationships, ensuring deadlines are met and risks are managed effectively.
- Drive improvements in finance processes, systems and ways of working, creating greater consistency, efficiency and accountability across the markets.
- Support strong operational discipline around revenue recognition, billing, collections, approvals and project financial management.
- Lead, support and develop the local finance function, building strong relationships across a matrixed, international environment.
Experience You’ll Bring:
- Significant experience in senior finance, financial control, Financial Planning & Analysis or commercial finance roles, ideally within a professional services, communications, consulting, agency or matrixed international environment.
- Strong understanding of financial management within a smaller or mid-sized market, with the ability to balance strategic input with hands-on delivery.
- Proven experience partnering with senior leaders to improve financial performance, commercial discipline and operational decision-making.
- Strong budgeting, forecasting, reporting, variance analysis and performance management experience.
- Good understanding of accounting, controls, audit, tax and compliance requirements across Sweden; exposure to Norway or wider Nordic markets would be advantageous.
- Experience working with regional or group finance teams, ideally in an international network or multinational organisation.
- Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex financial information and turn it into clear, actionable insight.
- High level of integrity, sound judgement and confidence in providing constructive challenge.
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and explain finance matters clearly to non-finance colleagues.
- Fluent English is essential; Swedish language skills are highly desirable. Norwegian language skills or experience working with Norway would be an advantage.
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.