Project Management/PMO Consultant - Defence & Security

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.   Why we're hiring: This is an exciting opportunity to join WPP during a period of global transformation. As part of our Technology & Telecommunications Procurement team, this role plays a key part in supporting strategic initiatives that are shaping the future of our business. This is a replacement role within a collaborative, forward-thinking team. This role is based on a hybrid working model, with three days a week spent collaborating in person with our team and stakeholders at our office.   What you'll be doing: This role focuses on delivering business and commercial value within the Technology and Telco spend category (with a particular focus on IT). You will engage with stakeholders across the business, run RFPs for complex goods and services, and negotiate statements of work and master agreements. This position offers excellent exposure to working with some of the world’s largest IT vendors, service integrators, and telecommunications companies, alongside global projects with senior stakeholders.   Key Responsibilities: * Category Strategy: Develop and execute global plans for sub-categories within the IT and Telco space, driving cost savings, continuous improvement, and innovation. * Market Insight: Maintain a deep understanding of IT supply markets to provide insights on best practices, market challenges, and the best-fit vendors for WPP’s needs. * Sourcing Leadership: Lead sourcing initiatives (e.g. RFPs), shape demand management, and deliver robust commercial guidance to influence senior decision-making. * Relationship Management: Develop and deliver successful supplier relationship management plans and preferred supplier policies. * Collaboration: Work as a cohesive part of the wider WPP Procurement team and lead/participate in matrixed project environments.   Who you'll be working with: You will report to the Category Director of IT Services, Infrastructure and Telco. Working with the Enterprise Technology (ET) Leadership team, ET CFO and Finance Business Partners and some the largest suppliers in the Technology and Telco sector.   What you'll need: * IT Procurement Expertise: Proven experience in technology procurement, with strong technical skills and a track record of leading complex, high-value RFPs and category plans in a global environment. * Negotiation & Contract Skills: Strong hands-on experience in contract and Statement of Work (SOW) drafting, with the ability to lead pragmatic, commercial negotiations. * Stakeholder & Vendor Management: Experience managing complex IT supplier relationships (including large technology organisations) and the ability to influence and advise senior business leaders. * Project & Team Leadership: Strong project management skills with the ability to multi-task, work within matrixed teams, and collaborate effectively with offshore teams.   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) FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW WE PROCESS THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDE.

THE ROLE We're seeking a Management Accountant, preferably based in the UK (London) and fluent in English (other languages such as Italian or Spanish would be a plus). You will support in managing Group-owned fund entities end to end – accounting is currently outsourced but can be in-housed in the future and be part of the scope of your role.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES This will be an integral role in the Group Finance team with the following responsibilities: * Review Quarterly Management Accounts from external administrators * Review loan workings on quarterly basis * Review Quarterly Capital Account Statements from external administrators * Calculation of both monthly and quarterly inter-group invoicing in line with transfer pricing guidelines * Management of the year-end Financial Statements for all corporate fund entities * Manipulate and upload corporate fund entities data into NetSuite (Accounting software) * Ad-hoc direct bookkeeping in NetSuite * Daily collaboration and communication with outsourced administrators and various third-party providers * Review the information provided by the outsourced provider * Assist in consolidating the fund entities * Assist in improving month end close process and management * Manage payment and approvals for corporate fund entities * Manage monthly cashflow forecasting for corporate fund entities including CapAd calculations performed * Manage monthly cash sweeping mechanism for corporate fund entities * Maintenance of monthly cash concentration loan interest file * Manage payment requests for corporate fund entities * Review and approve quarterly Notices; GPS/Rebate workings and Equalisation workings in collaboration with Fund Team * Maintain invoice register and bank reconciliations for fund entities * Maintain shared files * Assist with co-sec activities and loan documentation between group entities * Assist with FCA reporting throughout the year * Track fund fees and rebate in the summary workbook * Provide a degree of control over fund commitments * Ad hoc activities as required by group finance SKILLS & COMPETENCIES To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate: * Time management & prioritization skills - things can get a little hectic, so the ability to effectively manage yourself and your workload is critical * Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (in English or/and other European languages) - you must be able to organize your thoughts in a way that others find clear and compelling. You will be expected to together well-written, grammatically correct emails and other communications. When communicating verbally – whether over the phone, on video calls, in person or in meetings – you will need to be articulate, warm and engaging * Flexibility - being an effective team player means being flexible in your approach and open to getting involved with new things, even if they are not spelt out in your job description * Intellectual Curiosity – we are looking for someone who is truly interested in our profession and has the intellectual curiosity to delve deep into topics and bring fresh ideas to the team * IT Literacy - you need to be comfortable with IT systems and working with data (you should have at least intermediate-level excel) * Delivery focus – it may sound obvious, but the ability to proactively churn through work at pace and deliver quality outputs really matters * Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills * Passion for our mission ‘to generate a more sustainable future by leading the transition to clean energy * Our values: be a leader, build trust, be responsible, be innovative and ‘bring your alpha’. EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS  * Fully qualified ACCA/ACA/CIMA or equivalent * 3-5 years’ experience * The right to work in the UK. * Knowledge of private equity fund structures would be a plus WHAT WE OFFER * A busy role in a supportive team, with plenty of opportunities to learn * International scope – we operate in over 8 countries * Hybrid working – we will need you in the central London (Mayfair) office at least twice a week, but you will normally be able to work remotely for the remainder of the week. You might be required to come more often during the initial onboarding period. * 30 days’ holiday per year (3 of which are taken during the festive shutdown in December) * Private pension * BUPA Healthcare for you and qualifying dependents * Cycle to work and electric vehicle leasing schemes * Annual discretionary bonus. HOW TO APPLY If you are interested in this opportunity, please follow the link to apply. If you have been shortlisted for the next stage, we will be in contact within 14 days. By selecting “Apply” or sending us your CV, you indicate you have read and acknowledged NextEnergy Group’s Candidate Privacy Notice. DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION Our approach to diversity and inclusion is a natural extension of our values. Our entrepreneurial culture inspires us to try new things, be open to different viewpoints and be bold. Our Group is committed to cultivating and preserving a culture of connectedness that values difference and gives space for individual expression. The collective sum of our individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent and hard work form the bedrock of who we are and who we aspire to be. We are committed to equal employment and advancement opportunity irrespective of race, color, ancestry, social background, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability and gender identity. ABOUT US NextEnergy Group was founded in 2007 to become a leading market participant in the international solar sector.  Since its inception, it has been active in the development, construction, and ownership of solar assets across multiple jurisdictions.  NextEnergy Group operates via its three business units: NextEnergy Capital (Investment Management), WiseEnergy (Operating Asset Management), and Starlight (Asset Development). NextEnergy Capital manages the Group's investment activities and has invested in over 520 solar plants, exceeding 2GW in capacity across its institutional funds. * NextEnergy Solar Fund (NESF): Listed on the London Stock Exchange, NESF manages 102 solar and energy storage assets in the UK and Italy, with a total installed capacity of 983MW and a gross asset value of £1,014m. * NextPower II (NPII): A private fund of 105 solar plants (149MW) focused on Italy, successfully divested in January 2022, delivering net IRRs exceeding its 10-12% target. * NextPower III ESG (NPIII ESG): A private fund targeting solar infrastructure in OECD countries (e.g., US, Spain, Italy), with $896m raised, exceeding its $750m target. * NextPower UK ESG (NPUK ESG): A private fund dedicated to new-build solar plants in the UK, with ~£600m raised. * NextPower V ESG (NPV ESG): A private OECD solar fund investing in solar and adjacent technologies like battery storage. To date, it has raised $745m, targeting $1.5bn ($2bn ceiling). WiseEnergy® is NextEnergy Group’s operating asset manager.  WiseEnergy is a leading specialist operating asset manager in the solar sector.  Since its founding, WiseEnergy has provided solar asset management, monitoring, technical due diligence and under construction services to over 1,500 utility-scale solar power plants with an installed total capacity in excess of 3.4 GW.  WiseEnergy clients comprise leading banks and equity financiers in the energy and infrastructure sector.  Starlight is NextEnergy Group’s development company that is active in the development phase of solar projects.  It has developed over 100 utility-scale projects internationally and continues to progress a large pipeline of c.10GW of both green and brownfield project developments across global geographies. NextSTEP is the venture capital fund of NextEnergy Group, dedicated to investing in innovative startups in the field of environmental sustainability. The fund primarily focuses on investments in Italy and the United Kingdom but also extends its reach to the rest of Europe and the United States, targeting startups in the pre-seed and seed stages. NextSTEP pays particular attention to emerging entities from incubators, startup accelerators, universities, and research centers, supporting projects that address global challenges in crucial areas such as Climate Change, Energy Transition, CO2 Capture and Sequestration, Circular Economy, Sustainable Cities, Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Fashion, Waste Management, Water and much more. NextEnergy Foundation is a non-profit organisation founded in 2016 by the NextEnergy Group that operates internationally and whose mission is to proactively participate in the global effort to reduce carbon emissions by providing clean energy sources in regions where they are not yet available and thereby contributing to poverty reduction. As the main sponsor of this foundation, the NextEnergy Group donates at least 5% of its consolidated net profits each year. The NextEnergy Foundation has no overhead costs and therefore 100% of the funds raised go to donations for the various projects. Since 2016, in 8 years of operation the foundation has donated more than £1.2 million, supporting over 30 projects in 27 different countries around the world.