Natalia Odenwald
New York,NY
Summary
Highly effective Chief Financial Officer with 20+ years skilled in leadership and finance in global organizations. Strategic executive partner in business transformation, process improvement and increase profitability performance
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Global Commercial Director
EssenceMediacom Advertising Media agency (WPP)
09.2022 - Current
- Managed global client commercial and finance operations for key clients, overseeing over $1B in billing across 50+ countries
- Negotiated strategic agreements and secured significant wins by successfully negotiating new remuneration models and rolling agreements, enhancing client partnerships and profitability
- Played a key role in team restructuring initiatives, optimizing billing, tax strategies, and financial processes through the implementation of a new client team structure across the globe
- Provided project leadership by spearheading an application development project focused on income management and KPI setting, improving financial control and performance tracking
- Managed Global client profitability by countries and services.
Group Commercial Director
GroupM Advertising Media Agencies Group (WPP)
01.2022 - 09.2022
- Developed a centralized commercial structure across four agencies, resulting in a 20% reduction in staffing costs in commercial department
- Designed and implemented a unified performance measurement system encompassing performance indicators, profitability reports, modeling, extrapolations, and benchmark
- Successfully implemented a commercial KPs) system, resulting in a 16% increase in sales
- Led the renegotiation of annual deals with top media suppliers, achieving savings of 8%.
Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Commercial Officer
MediaCom Advertising Media agency (WPP)
08.2015 - 01.2022
- Developed and implemented financial and commercial policies and strategies, guiding the organization's financial decisions and commercial direction
- Established budgeting systems and procedures, enabling quarterly re forecasting and effective budget management for real-time management decisions
- Developed profitability management systems by client, department, and type of services, and implemented profitability KPIs system resulting in a 22% increase in operating profit margin
- Improved cash flow and working capital management by implementing a more effective billing process, resulting in a 25% reduction in outstanding receivables
- Optimized business processes through automation and IT system integration, leading ERP-system implementation and achieving a 14% reduction in staff costs
- Oversaw all types of audits including Finance, Client contract compliance, and SOX compliance, achieving a successful green grade from Big4 auditors
- Directed finance reporting, analytics, and audit functions.
Group Chief Financial Officer
Progression Group of Advertising agencies
06.2006 - 07.2015
Education
Courses - Internal Control: SOX Requirements
Ernst&Young
01.2017
Certificate - АССА The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
АССА FCA
01.2016
Courses - Negotiation Skills
A.R.M.S Training House/ "Scotwork International“
01.2011
Higher - Accounting and audit, Accounting, Analysis and Audit
Academy of Economic Studies
01.1999
Skills
- Strategic financial planning
- Financial modeling
- Financial Reporting
- Performance management
- Budget Development
- Audit Coordination
- Risk Management
- ERP System Implementation
Desired Position
Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Commercial Officer
Languages
English
Romanian
Russian
Timeline
Global Commercial Director
EssenceMediacom Advertising Media agency (WPP)
09.2022 - Current
Group Commercial Director
GroupM Advertising Media Agencies Group (WPP)
01.2022 - 09.2022
Chief Financial Officer/ Chief Commercial Officer
MediaCom Advertising Media agency (WPP)
08.2015 - 01.2022
Group Chief Financial Officer
Progression Group of Advertising agencies
06.2006 - 07.2015
Courses - Internal Control: SOX Requirements
Ernst&Young
Certificate - АССА The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants
АССА FCA
Courses - Negotiation Skills
A.R.M.S Training House/ "Scotwork International“
Higher - Accounting and audit, Accounting, Analysis and Audit
Academy of Economic Studies
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