Guillaume Epstein

Experience

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  Rhodia

  Jun 1999 - Aug 1999

  Intern

  Intern in Strategy:- Competition overview, business intelligence- Reporting

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  MOTUL

  Jan 2002 - Jan 2002

  Intern
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  Trade Marketing Services

  Sept 2003 - Sept 2005

  Associate Director

  - Creation of an internal financial planning (KPIs, P&L, customer in portfolio...)- Management and development of a client portfolio (SFR, Unilever, Orangina, Nestlé, Carlson Wagon Lit, 1 M€ turnover)From Selling phase to campaign delivery

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  Polyconcept

  Oct 2005 - Jul 2010

  Business Analyst

  Job description:- Production and analysis of Group reporting (actual, forecast, budget, business plan), financial communication to Executive Committee and Banks. Strong emphasis on Cash Flow and Net Debt.- Ad hoc analysis (margins, profitability, statistics,...)- Assistance in acquisition process: dataroom administration, analysis and statistics.- Treasury: reporting, treasury forecast and cash pooling.- HFM implementation (from Hyperion Enterprise): from specifications to implementation, full automation of Group reporting – project rolled out in 4 months, users training sessions (Europe, USA, Asia)Sept 2008 - Jan 2009: Financial controller of Far East buying offfices (HK) - replacement during a maternity leave.- Reporting to Far East operations CEO- 2009 Budget: budget meetings, financials set-up, preparation and presentation to Groupe Management.- Supply chain analysis: analysis of costs by function and internal benchmark (Purchase, QC, Admin,…) – analysis presented to Executive Committee, foundation of buying offices rationalization.- Implementation and monitoring of working capital improvements, Treasury forecast for year-end net debt (objectives exceeded) Show less

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  Publicis Worldwide

  Jul 2010 - Mar 2013

  Senior Financial Analyst - FP&A

  - Analysis of monthly reporting, forecasts and budgets- Preparation of Memos, summaries and presentations to Group and Executive Committees- Ad hoc analysis for Management (CEO, CFO)- Creation of a Credit management function: creation of dashboards, monthly follow-up with countries, presentation of performance and action plans to Finance Comex (reduced Trade Working Capital by 20% and overdue ratio by 2pts)- Capital expenditures and bonus follow-up

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  Publicis Singapore

  Mar 2013 - Jun 2015

  Finance Director Singapore & APAC Controller

  Financial Management:- Month-end close in coordination with a Shared Service, analysis of Agency KPIs- Significantly smoothen Month-end closing via a reorganization of the whole process- Improved revenue recognition timing via implementation of percentage of completion method- Forecast, budget and business plan (revenue review and validation with account management, staffing plan, operating expenses projections). Budget and forecast delivered accurately month on month- Implementation of client profitability analysis and scorecards- Revamped Agency procedures (PO, jobs, expense, travel,…) to reduce Internal Control deficiencies from 30% to less than 10%Business Development:- Implementation of a restructuring plan in 2014 (staff notification, change management)- Pro-actively propose staffing and team reorganization- Acquisition of a Digital team (Ineo, May 2014): contract write-up with a Law firm, negotiation with owners, Q&A with future employees, leader in transition and integration process- Negotiation with clients on remuneration and contracts. Maximization of revenue via implementation of incentives and additional revenue stream rate cards.- Pricing strategy and fee presentation for pitches- Day to day interactions with Clients and Business Directors on contractual aspects, pricing, client profitability, fee and contract negotiation. Show less

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  Publicis Asia Pacific

  Jun 2015 - Jun 2018

  Regional Client Finance Director - APAC

  Acting CFO for China and Singapore hub for Publicis Groupe main client (since 2016)- Creation of hubs across Publicis networks to build talent and capabilities at scale, in China and Singapore (respectively 250 and 100 workforce).- Creation of finance practice across the hubs to ensure financial performance monitoring, in charge of P&L performance (Actual, Forecast and Budget)- Creation of new capabilities within the hub to create new revenue streams with existing clients (Digital, Analytics, Production).- Monthly connects with Regional Procurement.- Role 50%-50% across China (monthly travels) and Singapore.Client Finance: Finance partner for Regional Business Directors- Set-up various hubs across the region for Global Clients region (HK, Shanghai, Singapore)- Creation and implementation of Global Client practice: monitoring of consolidated scope of work, performance scorecard.- Ensure investments are made in the right talents and capabilities.- Problem solver for all local issues across the region (Master Contract, fees, negotiation,…)- Creation of multi-country rate cards for regional and global pitches- Collect and spread best practices across the regionTraining- Creation of a Negotiation, Scope of Work and Pricing strategy workshop rolled-out to all key executives of the region.- Induction of new Finance Directors in the region- Training of Agency Account Management on FinanceActing Finance Director, Indonesia (6 months)- Elaborated agency restructuring plan, recruitment of key talents.- Renewed 2015 fees with all clients- Re-vamped all Agency financial processes, resulting in a good Internal Audit outcome- Planned and piloted merger with Saatchi Indonesia.Acting Finance Director, Hong Kong- Financial and operational audit of Hong Kong Agency.- Preparation of business plan to restore profitability optimizing team organization and enable investments in new talents.Adhoc interventions in Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia and India. Show less

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  Publicis Communications

  Jun 2018 - May 2020

  Chief Commercial Officer - APAC
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  Publicis Groupe

  May 2020 - Feb 2024

  • SVP, Global Commercial Finance Director

    Feb 2023 - Feb 2024

  • Chief Operating Officer - Brazil

    May 2020 - Feb 2023