Manager, Client Financials & Co-Op

Company Description

At Saatchi we believe in creating ideas that can live anywhere. And we believe that when we work as a team, nothing is impossible. We strive to bring out the best in each other and in ourselves and expect applicants to understand the value of close collaboration. We also believe that creating transformational work requires initiative, an entrepreneurial spirit and a bold commitment to achieving measurable results and business success for the Clients we service.

Saatchi & Saatchi currently maintains a hybrid work policy to work in-office three days per week and remotely the other two days each week.

The full time Client Finance & Co-op Manager plays a critical role within the Toyota Retail Division (TDA Finance) and holds responsibilities beyond those of a traditional Client Finance position. This role oversees complex financial operations, leads team members, and manages the Toyota Dealer Association (TDA) Co-op Reimbursement Program and supports Saatchi’s digital platform, DSPLUS.

Financial Oversight & Leadership

• Provide financial oversight for the Toyota Retail Division, supporting nine Toyota Dealer Associations (TDAs) representing more than 428 dealers nationwide.
• Lead, mentor, and support finance team members to ensure operational excellence.
• Review, approve, and oversee financial data, including Media and Production Billing, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, Work in Progress (WIP), and WIP transfers.
• Approve jobs and purchase orders in accordance with client budgets and internal policies.
• Collaborate daily with account teams, media teams, field offices, and vendors regarding budgets, billing inquiries, vendor payments, and client receipts.
• Provide financial support and reporting for the DSPLUS digital platform and Digital CRM program.

Billing Management

Media Billing (Approximately 85% of TDA Budgets)

• Ensure client billing aligns with approved client budgets.
• Request and review draft billing reports prior to internal approval by TDA Budget Coordinators, Media Buyers, Media Planners, and Account Teams.
• Secure approvals as a prerequisite for live billing.
• Ensure accuracy and timely transmission of finalized billing files to clients.

Production Billing (Approximately 3,000 Jobs Annually)

• Approval of jobs in Altair for billing upon receipt of client authorization.
• Ensure all projects are initiated and tracked in Salesforce.
• Request, review, and approve draft billing prior to live billing submission.
• Resolve job-related issues, including overspent jobs, missing costs, and transfer discrepancies.

Accounts Payable

• Review Open Media Payables, Production Job Status Reports, and Accounts Payable reports.
• Coordinate with Treasury to ensure timely vendor payments following receipt of client funds.

Accounts Receivable

• Monitor outstanding client receivables and follow up with clients to ensure timely payment.

TDA Co-op Reimbursement Program

The TDA Co-Op Reimbursement Program, established by Toyota Motor Sales North America (TMNA), provides partial reimbursement for eligible TDA media advertising that supports and enhances the Toyota brand. The program is administered by a third-party partner, Ansira, and adherence to strict guidelines is essential to securing reimbursement.

• Oversight and management of the TDA Co-Op Reimbursement Program, including final reconciliation of actual expenditures, coordination with internal Co-op team members and TMNA Co-op administrators.
• Ensuring all audit requirements, reconciliation files, and program deliverables are completed accurately and submitted within mandated deadlines.
• Reviewing all sponsorship submissions prior to delivery to the Co-op administrator, ensuring completeness of contracts, invoices, scripts, certificates of insurance, and media evaluations via the Co-op platform.
• Managing reconciliation submissions in strict compliance with TMNA deadlines to prevent denial of reimbursement.

Other duties as assigned

• Minimum 5-7 years’ experience
• Strong interpersonal skills with a demonstrated ability to lead, collaborate, and build effective teams.
• Proactive, solution-oriented mindset with a high level of initiative.
• Excellen…