Job description
This position can be based remotely (working from home) or at our headquarters in Stamford, CT.
About Lockwood: Lockwood collaborates with clients in the pharmaceutical, biotech, and medical device industries to identify effective, holistic, science-based strategies to address their objectives through medical communications. Our clients count on us to challenge their assumptions and help them creatively navigate around obstacles. From strategy through execution, we focus on accuracy, transparency, and scientific value to create programs that are evidence-based, clinically relevant, and contribute to the development of our clients’ brands. Over a third of our staff hold advanced scientific or medical degrees, and most work from where they live. Because our flexible structure provides better work-life balance, we attract the best talent, facilitate their best work, and as a result, are more responsive to our clients, wherever and whenever they do business.
Summary: The Finance Director, Client Finance is a strategic business partner to client account teams and agency leadership, overseeing client financial management. This role is responsible for financial strategy, accurate financial planning and reporting, and maintaining compliance with client contracts and agency policies. The role leads budgeting, forecasting, pricing, and financial analysis efforts, while also advising on commercial strategies, scope negotiations, and revenue recognition. They play a critical role in enhancing financial processes and fostering strong relationships with internal stakeholders. Success in this role requires strong analytical and communication skills, a proactive problem-solving mindset, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment while managing relationships across all levels of the organization.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead financial oversight and performance management across client accounts. Serve as a key point of contact for finance-related client discussions.
- Partner with business leads to provide financial modeling, forecasting, and scenario planning.
- Present financial performance and strategic insights to account teams or senior management.
- Provide strategic financial insights tailored to each client’s operational and commercial needs, ensuring compliance with financial policies and client contract terms.
- Oversee revenue recognition and overage deferral process.
- Support commercial activities, including client pricing (rate cards, RFP responses) and SOWs.
- Foster collaboration between client finance, accounting, account management, and biz dev.
- Develop and enhance complex financial models, reporting templates, and processes to improve reporting accuracy and efficiency and support strategic initiatives.
- Lead continuous improvement of financial processes and infrastructure
- Analyze and translate financial data reviews into actionable insights, and strategic recommendations to leadership and support internal account teams.
- Ensure expectations are met for internal and client reporting processes by maintaining ongoing communication with account team members, and troubleshooting as necessary.
- Provide training where necessary to ensure best practices are followed.
Interpersonal/Leadership Skills Required:
- High level of integrity, accountability, and professionalism.
- Ability to lead and influence key stakeholders at all seniority levels across functional teams.
- Strategic thinker with a proactive, solutions-oriented mindset.
- Attention to detail and ability to operate under pressure in complex environments.
- Strong business acumen with the ability to balance financial rigor and client service excellence.
- Analytical thinker who proactively anticipates changes.
- Clear communicator with strong presentation and writing skills. Ability to achieve buy-in when communicating changes. Strong executive presence.
- Independent problem solver and critical thinker; always looking for creative solutions.
- Comfortable in a fast-moving, entrepreneurial environment. Flexible with respect to handling multiple projects and shifting priorities.
- Provide mentorship and development to Financial Analyst(s).
Technical Skills & Experience Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field. MBA or CPA a plus, but not required.
- 10+ years of experience in financial analysis or related role at an agency. Client finance experience required.
- Understanding of agency operations, client contract terms, and commercial finance.
- Strong Excel and financial modeling skills; familiarity with BI tools (especially PowerBI) is a plus.
This position can be performed remotely in all but the following locations: Colorado, New York City, San Francisco County, CA.
