Junior Commercial Manager

Who We Are

At VML, we are a beacon of innovation and growth in an ever‑evolving world. Our heritage is built upon a century of combined expertise, where creativity meets technology, and diverse perspectives ignite inspiration. With the merger of VMLY&R and Wunderman Thompson, we have forged a new path as a growth partner that is part creative agency, part consultancy, and part technology powerhouse.

Our global family now encompasses over 30,000 employees across 150+ offices in 64 markets, each contributing to a culture that values connection, belonging, and the power of differences. Our expertise spans the entire customer journey, offering deep insights in communications, commerce, consultancy, CRM, CX, data, production, and technology. We deliver end‑to‑end solutions that result in revolutionary work.

Department: Commercial Finance
Reports to: Commercial Lead
Location: London, UK

The Junior Commercial Manager is a key contributor to the financial success and operational efficiency of VML. Based in our vibrant London office, this position requires a highly motivated individual with strong commercial acumen, analytical skills, and a proven ability to navigate complex business environments.

Working closely with the Commercial Lead, you will play a crucial role in managing client profitability, supporting financial planning and analysis, ensuring adherence to financial regulations, and acting as a vital link between various internal and external stakeholders. This role demands an analytical thinker who can translate financial data into actionable insights, contributing to profitable growth with a specific focus on client P&L management and contract compliance.

• Support the Commercial Lead in managing a multi‑national, multi‑agency client portfolio, contributing to accurate financial reporting and commercial acumen.
• Assist in delivering live forecasts and managing quarterly budgets, ensuring alignment with client objectives and agency profitability targets.
• Prepare scopes of work (SOWs), collaborating with Delivery Leads and Senior Client Leads to ensure accurate costing and resource allocation.
• Prepare internal reports on utilisation, profitability, recoverability, and growth targets, providing insights to senior management.
• Support client teams with resourcing files and Power Bi reports, ensuring accurate information on resource allocation by client. Assist in reviewing freelance resource requests, ensuring all incremental revenue spend is both strictly necessary and covered by client budgets.
• Support procurement liaison and negotiations, assisting in securing favourable terms and maximizing value for the agency.
• Complete Group, EMEA, and Global reporting requirements, ensuring consistency and accuracy across all levels.
• Collaborate with experts to develop and market our offerings and capabilities, contributing to the agency's growth and market positioning.
• Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting, adhering to all internal and external reporting requirements. Maintain strict compliance with SOX regulations and internal control procedures.
• Internal and external audits – prepare all revenue related information for internal and external auditors and promptly respond to all related queries.

• Support liaison with subject matter experts, including legal counsel, during negotiations, protecting the agency's interests and ensuring compliance.
• Monitor compliance with contractual terms, tracking KPIs and assessing their impact on revenue. Proactively identify and escalate any contractual issues or discrepancies.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the agency, including account teams, NWC department, and board executives.
• Effectively communicate financial information and insights to both financial and non‑financial audiences.

• Identify opportunities for process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy within the commercial function. Support the implementation of streamlined workflows and optimised…