Commercial Manager, Strategic Communications

**About the role**

The Strategic Communications Practice within FTI Consulting helps business leaders use their communications assets to seize opportunities, manage crises, navigate market disruptions, and articulate their brand.

We are seeking to appoint a full time Commercial Manager, to our Strategic Communications Practice based (Sydney-based) whilst supporting the broader team in our Sydney, Melbourne and Perth offices.

**What you’ll do**:

- Work closely with the Strategic Communications Team to supervise client invoicing professionals to ensure timely, accurate and professional invoicing.
- Management of matters from inception to conclusion using budget tool, budget to actual analysis, and WIP/AR management
- Reducing the amount of time billable professionals spend on project management administrative tasks.
- Assist with forecasting for new proposals.
- Special Projects related to our financials.
- Reducing Days Sales Outstanding (DSO)
- Other operational matters as they arise.

Client Invoice Process
- Liaise with the Finance team to ensure the Strategic Communications billing schedule is correct and accurate.

Matter (Engagement) Setup
- Ensure LOE terms are captured accurately in CRM and Financial systems (e.g., rate discounts, taxable jurisdiction, admin fee)
- Assisting with the development of detailed pricing proposals as well as take part in the formal approval prior to client acceptance.
- Review and approve matters submitted for Conflict Check Open Matter for completeness and accuracy related to LOE/Budget/Margin/Discounts
- Necessary approvals are documented and archived (e.g., exception rate approvals)
- Necessary information for billing is documented (e.g., client contact info, e-billing system and/or MSA requirements)
- Communication to engagement team via NEW ENGAGEMENT-MATTER ANNOUNCEMENT form re narrative formatting, unique client requirements (e.g., pre-approval for expenses exceeding threshold; use of client travel agent); set up required task codes, discounts, etc.
- Clarity of responsibility for payment to FTI and allocation if multiple payors

Ongoing Project Management
- Ensure receipt of retainers billed.
- Track project scope and budget and apprise STK/BTK of status.
- Review aging WIP and A/R; prompt billing and collection; follow up as requested with clients directly for timely collection; monthly Finance Team meeting to report status of aging WIP/AR per established thresholds; adhere to formalized guidelines for matter management.
- Ensure necessary information is documented on contractor invoices prior to submission to Finance.
- Prompt STK/BTK to determine whether October 1 and April 1 rate increases will be applied to matters; communicate to client as necessary.
- Provide input to STK/BTK regarding risk assessment and proposed adjustments - e.g., reserving WIP or A/R over budget; recommending allocation of billing adjustments by region/segment.

Management / Segment Support
- Assist in analyzing the segment’s business operating results on a monthly basis and develop appropriate commentary for different audiences. Work with segment/regional/industry leads to understand business drivers, issues and opportunities.
- Assist in the development, consistent definition and tracking of key financial and operational performance indicators.
- Support the budgeting/forecast processes, including revenue and expense assumptions, assessment of risks and opportunities, and analysis for management decision making.
- Assist with development of ongoing profitability tracking and reporting.
- As needed, participate in financial modeling requirements for potential acquisitions, etc.
- Provide ad hoc reporting as needed to support segment or Corporate needs.

**SKILLS REQUIRED**:

- Excellent communication skills, including verbal and written
- Attention to detail
- Good working knowledge of PC and network environment, word processing, database and spreadsheet software (MS Office preferred)
- Basic budget management skills
- Good interpersonal skills, including being a team player with capacity to work with diverse team members
- Organizational skills, including ability to prioritize
- Flexibility - ability to work under tight deadlines; ability to handle multiple tasks through prioritization and time management skills
- Proficiency with Salesforce, Elite, and Carpe Diem is a plus

**EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS**:

- Minimum 5 years overall experience in engagement management, including billing and collections, in a commercial or professional services environment.
- Associate/Bachelor’s degree or commensurate work experience

**Our Benefits**

Apart from the well-structured career path and excellent team environment, our employees enjoy a variety of perks and benefits. Our benefits include, but are not limited to:

- Attractive remuneration, including discretionary bonuses available to all employees
- 18 weeks paid, gender-neutral parental leave with full superannuation contri