Finance Op Model & Transformation Lead (Contract)

Job Description: About Dentsu Led by Dentsu Group Inc. (Tokyo: 4324; ISIN: JP3551520004), a pure holding company established on January 1, 2020, the Dentsu Group encompasses two operational networks: dentsu Japan network, which oversees Dentsu’s agency operations in Japan, and dentsu international, its international business headquarters in London, which oversees Dentsu’s agency operations outside of Japan. With a strong presence in approximately 145 countries and regions across five continents and with 65,000 dedicated professionals, the Dentsu Group provides a comprehensive range of client-centric integrated communications, media and digital services through its five leadership brands—Carat, dentsu X, iProspect, Dentsu Creative, and Merkle—as well as through Dentsu Japan Network companies, including Dentsu Inc., the world’s largest single brand agency with a history of innovation. The Group is also active in the production and marketing of sports and entertainment content on a global scale. www.dentsu.com ****Please note that this is a 12-month fixed-term contract opportunity Job Title: Finance Op Model & Transformation Lead (Contract) Role Description The Finance Op Model & Transformation Lead is responsible for shaping and driving the strategic transformation of the APAC Finance function. The role will lead the development and execution of the Finance operating model roadmap, ensuring the organisation is structured to deliver greater scalability, efficiency, governance and business value. Working closely with Finance leadership, HR, Technology and operational stakeholders, the role will drive workforce transformation, organisational design, shared services and outsourcing strategies, and the evolution of Finance delivery models across APAC. The role is accountable for ensuring transformation initiatives remain aligned to Finance strategic priorities, delivering measurable business outcomes through effective governance, stakeholder management, benefits realisation and executive reporting. Key Responsibilities Finance Operating Model Transformation • Lead the design, development and implementation of the APAC Finance operating model strategy, ensuring alignment to Finance priorities and long-term business objectives. • Develop and maintain the Finance operating model roadmap, translating strategic objectives into clear transformation priorities and delivery plans. • Drive alignment to the global Finance blueprint, evaluating local requirements and governing any deviations from standard models, processes or structures. • Identify opportunities to simplify the Finance organisation, improve service delivery and enhance operating effectiveness through structural, functional and capability changes. • Partner with Finance leaders to shape the future state Finance function, balancing efficiency, scalability, control and business partnering requirements. Workforce Strategy & Organisational Design • Lead Finance workforce transformation initiatives that support the evolution of a more scalable, efficient and insight-led Finance organisation. • Develop workforce strategies that optimise organisational capacity, capability and cost effectiveness across APAC. • Assess future capability requirements and support the design of organisation structures, role frameworks and resourcing models aligned to Finance strategic priorities. • Partner with HR and Finance leadership to support organisational redesign, workforce planning, capability development and change readiness activities. • Drive initiatives that enable Finance teams to shift capacity from transactional activities towards higher-value analysis, insight, stewardship and business partnering. Shared Services, BCOE & Delivery Model Evolution • Lead the development and implementation of Finance service delivery strategies, including Regional Shared Services, Business Centres of Excellence (BCOE) and outsourced delivery models. • Identify opportunities to improve scale, consistency and efficiency through centralised delivery models, standardised services and optimised resource allocation. • Partner with regional and market Finance teams to evaluate service delivery effectiveness and define future-state operating models. • Support the evolution of Finance delivery structures that improve operational resilience, service quality, governance and cost efficiency. • Develop recommendations that balance business requirements, cost optimisation and organisational effectiveness across APAC markets. Governance, Stakeholder Management & Value Realisation • Partner, engage and align with global, regional and market Finance leadership, HR, Technology, Shared Services and external providers to define, govern and deliver the APAC Finance transformation agenda. • Lead multi-market and cross-functional initiatives that support workforce transformation, operating model evolution and service delivery optimisation across APAC. • Establish and maintain transformation governance frameworks, ensuring programmes are appropriately prioritised, risks and dependencies are actively managed, and initiatives remain aligned to Finance strategic objectives. • Oversee the Finance transformation portfolio, providing strategic direction and governance to ensure delivery against agreed milestones, outcomes and success measures. • Own benefits tracking and value realisation across Finance transformation initiatives, measuring progress against approved business cases and ensuring delivery of targeted financial, operational and organisational outcomes. • Support the development of business cases, mobilisation plans, funding proposals and investment recommendations to enable future Finance transformation initiatives. • Provide executive reporting, strategic insights and decision support to Finance leadership and key stakeholders on programme progress, risks, dependencies, realised benefits and future opportunities. Personal Leadership Traits Think Strategically • Takes a long-…