Finance Contracts Manager

More about the role:

The Contracts Manager sits within the Finance function and plays a critical, cross-functional role supporting the review, negotiation, and execution of client and vendor contracts across the organization. This role partners closely with different internal stakeholders across the organization including Business Development, Client Leadership/Account Teams, and Finance to ensure that contracts are commercially sound, operationally feasible, and aligned with agency risk standards.

This position is not a legal role but operates at the center of contracting activity, interpreting contract language, identifying risks, and guiding internal teams. The role also serves as a key triage point for determining when escalation to WPP Legal is required.

This hire represents a critical expansion of a growing contracts capability within the organization and requires the ability to operate across both sides of the contracting equation, as a service provider to clients and as a procurer of vendor services (e.g., production partners, photographers, etc.).

This role can be based in any major East Coast city though New York is preferred.

What you'll do:

Contract Review & Negotiation

• Review, redline, and negotiate client contracts and vendor agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, and related documents
• Translate contractual language into clear business implications for non-legal stakeholders
• Identify and mitigate risks related to scope, budgets, IP ownership, indemnification, confidentiality, data privacy, and termination terms
• Ensure alignment between contractual terms, pricing structures, and operational delivery

Commercial & Financial Validation

• Analyze scopes of work and associated budgets to ensure accuracy and consistency
• Flag discrepancies, gaps, or inconsistencies in financial or contractual terms
• Validate that work scopes align appropriately with master agreements and governing terms

Cross-Functional Partnership

• Serve as a key partner including Finance, Account Teams, and Business Development throughout the contracting lifecycle
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders who may lack contract expertise
• Act as a central hub connecting finance, client teams, privacy, and information security

• Support internal teams by preparing clear escalation summaries

Process, Training & Enablement

• Maintain templates, playbooks, and contracting guidelines
• Educate internal teams on contract fundamentals and best practices
• Expand awareness and adoption of the contracts function across the organization
• Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and deal velocity

Experience that contributes to success:

• 5–7+ years of experience reviewing and negotiating contracts (agency experience preferred but not required)
• Strong foundational understanding of:
• Contract structures (MSAs, SOWs, amendments)
• How scopes roll up into governing agreements
• Demonstrated ability to:
• Redline contracts confidently and accurately
• Identify inconsistencies, risks, and missing information
• Ask probing, detail-oriented questions to clarify ambiguity
• Strong financial acumen, including ability to analyze budgets within scopes
• Exceptional attention to detail and highly organized working style
• Strong communication skills with ability to simplify complex contract terms
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in a global agency or holding company environment
• Familiarity with both sell-side and buy-side negotiations
• Exposure to data privacy, IP, influencer, or digital/media-related contract terms
• Experience supporting RFPs

Burson 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.

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