Senior Cost Manager - London

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands.  We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth.    We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise.   Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow.    For more information, visit WPP.com. [https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwpp.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7CErica.Durr%40wpp.com%7C9bf4566a65bc46a48ac008de749116ea%7C150b5e663d884dee83f6ed149b727a00%7C0%7C0%7C639076363668176216%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Q9juosud56XGLThSFZ1NpPZd6FXpJPxV74OeRZWoh%2B4%3D&reserved=0]   Why we're hiring: WPP is accelerating the adoption of AI across the enterprise, investing in a portfolio of strategic initiatives designed to transform how work gets done across our global business. We're looking for a Senior Project Manager based in London, to lead the delivery of some of WPP's most complex and high-impact AI initiatives. These enterprise-scale projects are sponsored by senior business leaders and the CIO organisation, focused on embedding AI agents into critical business processes, operational workflows and governance frameworks. This is an opportunity to work at the forefront of enterprise AI transformation, partnering with business stakeholders, technology teams and external delivery partners to turn innovative ideas into scalable solutions that deliver measurable business value. WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING: * Lead the end-to-end delivery of multiple strategic AI projects simultaneously, managing all phases from initiation and planning through to deployment and benefits realisation. * Partner with executive sponsors, senior business stakeholders and the AI Centre of Excellence to define project scope, requirements, success measures and delivery plans. * Deliver complex, enterprise-scale AI initiatives across multiple business functions, ensuring projects achieve agreed objectives, timelines, budgets and outcomes. * Coordinate internal teams and external delivery partners to ensure successful execution and deployment of AI solutions. * Drive effective stakeholder engagement across Technology, Finance, HR, Operations and Governance functions, building alignment and managing competing priorities. * Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, RAID logs, status reporting and executive communications. * Establish testing, validation and adoption approaches that ensure AI solutions are reliable, compliant and deliver intended business outcomes. * Monitor delivery performance, business adoption and value realisation, ensuring projects move successfully from concept into production. * Contribute to the development of delivery standards, tools, templates and best practices that support the successful scaling of AI across WPP. * Support and mentor project managers across the wider delivery community, sharing expertise and promoting delivery excellence. WHAT YOU'LL BRING: * Significant experience delivering complex technology, data or transformation projects within large enterprise environments. * Proven ability to manage multiple workstreams, stakeholders and delivery partners across large-scale programmes of work. * Deep familiarity with the Microsoft Copilot product family end-to-end, including in-app Copilot, pre-built and shared agents, Copilot Chat, Agent Builder, Copilot Studio and advanced agent frameworks. * Experience beyond the Microsoft ecosystem, including AI development and orchestration platforms such as Python multi-agent frameworks, Databricks, Google Vertex AI and open agent tooling. * Strong understanding of project delivery methodologies, governance frameworks and change management principles. * Ability to work effectively with technical teams, architects, engineers and data specialists, translating complex concepts into business-focused outcomes. * Strong technical fluency across AI technologies and solution architecture, with the ability to challenge design decisions and discuss trade-offs with architects, engineers and data scientists. * Experience managing senior stakeholders and communicating effectively with executive audiences. * Strong commercial awareness, including budget management, vendor oversight and business case delivery. * Experience working within Agile, Scrum, Kanban or scaled delivery environments. * Excellent organisational, stakeholder management and problem-solving skills. SUCCESS MEASURES: * Successful delivery of enterprise AI projects into production environments. * Achievement of agreed business outcomes, including productivity improvements, cost efficiencies and revenue opportunities. * Strong stakeholder satisfaction and executive confidence in project delivery. * High levels of user adoption and engagement following deployment. * Effective management of project risks, dependencies and governance requirements. * Timely delivery against agreed project milestones and budgets. * Demonstrable contribution to the growth and maturity of WPP's enterprise AI capability. Who you are: You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working. You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected. You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.   What we'll give you: Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work. Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry. Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge? #LI-Hybrid  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. PLEASE READ OUR PRIVACY NOTICE (HTTPS://WWW.WPP.COM/EN/CAREERS/WPP-PRIVACY-POLICY-FOR-RECRUITMENT [https://www.wpp.com/en/careers/wpp-privacy-policy-for-recruitment]) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.

About Man Group Man Group is a global alternative investment management firm focused on pursuing outperformance for sophisticated clients via our Systematic, Discretionary and Solutions offerings. Powered by talent and advanced technology, our single and multi-manager investment strategies are underpinned by deep research and span public and private markets, across all major asset classes, with a significant focus on alternatives. Man Group takes a partnership approach to working with clients, establishing deep connections and creating tailored solutions to meet their investment goals and those of the millions of retirees and savers they represent. Headquartered in London, we manage $228.7 billion* and operate across multiple offices globally. Man Group plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker EMG.LN and is a constituent of the FTSE 250 Index. Further information can be found at www.man.com At Man Group, we respect your privacy and we are committed to protecting and safeguarding your Personal Data. We have developed policies and processes which are designed to provide for the security and integrity of your Personal Data. We are committed to Processing your Personal Data fairly and lawfully, and being open and transparent about such Processing. For further information on how we process your data, please see the privacy notice for applicants here * As at 31 March 2026   Purpose of role: As the Senior Finance Analyst, you will be working across Market Data, Fund Recharge and the Payments teams. You will play a central role in operating and continuously improving the data and research cost allocation model, building close working relationships with business management teams across Man Group's investment management functions to ensure data and research costs are understood, allocated appropriately and well governed.   Specific responsibilities: * Own the end-to-end production of the annual data and research budget and deep-dive reforecasts throughout the year, working closely with the Data Science and Sourcing and Finance Business Partnering teams, managing the timeline autonomously with accountability for delivering a robust, well-reviewed and appropriately challenged final output. Manage the data and tools for calculating data cost allocations ensuring accuracy, integrity and fitness for purpose at all times * Produce and present to senior management monthly cost reporting and budget variance analysis. * Design, produce and monitor appropriate controls to ensure allocations are applied correctly across large datasets * Action month end processes to validate data, and ensure accruals have been correctly calculated and posted * Workday invoice review and approval * Produce data and research packs for investment management oversight committees * Partner with stakeholders across the business to agree appropriate allocation methodologies, providing constructive challenge where necessary * Drive continuous improvement of departmental processes and procedures, proactively identifying and implementing enhancements * Support data cleansing activities to ensure accurate population of data across systems (Workday, MDM) * Contribute to ad-hoc projects as they arise     Technical competencies: * Strong academic background with well-developed mathematical and analytical skills * 3 years experience within a similar role in financial services * Proven experience working in a Finance team; investment management or investment banking exposure is advantageous but not essential * Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex financial information clearly and concisely to a range of audiences including senior stakeholders; demonstrated experience producing well-structured presentation packs Advanced excel skills (vlookups, pivot tables, sumif and similar) * Familiarity with Power BI is preferred, and an aptitude for AI tools is highly valued * Comfort learning new systems quickly and applying them effectively * Ambitious, inquisitive and driven, with a strong attention to detail and a comfort in challenging stakeholders   Core behaviours * Delivery-focused, proactive and self-sufficient * Detail-oriented and controls-focused, with a genuine appreciation for why rigour and accuracy matter in a cost allocation context * Skilled at navigating complex stakeholder environments, building trusted relationships and challenging others, whilst maintaining independence and objectivity Inclusion, Work-Life Balance and Benefits at Man Group You'll thrive in our working environment that champions equality of opportunity. Your unique perspective will contribute to our success, joining a workplace where inclusion is fundamental and deeply embedded in our culture and values. Through our external and internal initiatives, partnerships and programmes, you'll find opportunities to grow, develop your talents, and help foster an inclusive environment for all across our firm and industry. Learn more at www.man.com/diversity. You'll have opportunities to make a difference through our charitable and global initiatives, while advancing your career through professional development, and with flexible working arrangements available too. Like all our people, you'll receive two annual 'Mankind' days of paid leave for community volunteering. Our comprehensive benefits package includes competitive holiday entitlements, pension/401k, life and long-term disability coverage, group sick pay, enhanced parental leave and long-service leave. Depending on your location, you may also enjoy additional benefits such as private medical coverage, discounted gym membership options and pet insurance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Man Group provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants and all employees without regard to race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, religion, disability, sex, gender identity and expression, marital status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, age or any other legally protected category or status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. Man Group is a Disability Confident Committed employer; if you require help or information on reasonable adjustments as you apply for roles with us, please contact TalentAcquisition@man.com.