Nicholas Byrd Email & Phone Number

Driggs, Id, Us

San Francisco, California, Us

San Francisco, California, Us

San Francisco, California, Us

San Francisco, Ca, Us

Global CFO at Essence, a global digital agency that blends data science, objective media and captivating experiences to build valuable connections between brands and consumers. Our clients include Google, Viber, method, Tesco Mobile, and the Financial Times. The agency is more than 550 people strong, manages over $850MM in media spend, and deploys campaigns in 71 markets via offices in London, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Chicago, Sydney, Singapore and Tokyo. We are part of GroupM/WPP, the world's leading communications services group.In my role at Essence, which reports to the Global CEO, I oversee the global finance, tax, legal, IT, and facilities teams - more than 40+ individuals. I am also a member of the Global Executive team that works to define and execute our longterm strategy. Highlights of my tenure at Essence include:Instrumental in the sale of Essence to WPPOversaw double digit revenue and profit growth since taking the lead finance role in 2014Opened offices in Chicago, Tokyo, and SydneyRe-organized the Global Finance team to align with a client-centric global frameworkTransitioned from a UK, founder-led organization to a geo-dispersed global management team-led organization I originally joined Essence as the North American CFO, overseeing the North American business. Within a year due to exceptional performance in the North American Finance Team I was promoted to Global Finance Director.Before Essence, I held a variety of ascending titles at Razorfish, a Publicis Groupe Company, culminating as the North American VP of Client Finance. Highlights included:Established client and legal operations oversight function, including best practice on client procurement relationsOversaw the creation of the North American client finance functionLed the West Coast Regional Finance and Facilities Team

San Francisco, Ca, Us

San Francisco, Ca, Us

New York, Ny, Us

Lead for the finance and operational functions in the USPrimary point of contact for client contract and pricing negotiations across Razorfish US- Primary National contact for internal and Client issues related to Finance and Operations - Successfully negotiated and finalized all new Client MSA’s while in this role Oversee Finance teams on global clients across multiple digital brands- Currently managing B1 finance and operations function- Developed processes and tools for brand collaboration across global initiatives for Razorfish, Digitas, MRY, and RosettaPartner with Resource management, offshore, and delivery teams to work towards continued best practices across regions.- Partnered in creation and review of Resource reporting- Assisted in the push for consistent reporting and tools for resource usagePartner for the Executive leadership team to build and execute business plans- Lead creation and review of P&L and Client budgets across the USStrategic contributor to the development of the financial, objectives, and overall management of the organization- Directed strategic system improvement, pricing strategy, and client growth plans- A National consultant for Client performance improvement strategy and executionLeadership role in Finance and Operational groups for succession planning, organizational development, and performance management.- Currently manage a team of six, and provide general guidance across all three Regions in the US- Partnered with the SVP of Finance to successfully add four additional team members over the past eighteen months- Partnered in the development of the strategic plan for Media business unit across Razorfish- Supported development of product and SAAS based strategies across Razorfish

New York, Ny, Us

Established the US Client Finance team at the end of 2011 expanding the responsibilities to partner in BD pricing, client reviews, and contract negotiation at the MSA and SOW levelsPoint of contact for all co-brand contracts, and financial operations related to Client work- Worked across Publicis Brands to align on strategic Client objectives, including negotiations with Microsoft, Best Buy, Intel, and DisneyPartnered with Market leadership to establish a cross functional team focused on strategic review to ensure achievement of financial commitments- Team included Razorfish Executive leadership, Managing directors, and Global Razorfish/Digitas CFOPartnered or led negotiations to achieve improved operating income by driving scaled pricing and Client alignment- Successfully re-negotiated key Client contracts to maximize Client growth, by minimizing Client conflicts, and align pricing arrangements. This included negotiations with Microsoft, AT&T, T Mobile, Ubisoft, and ADT as well as several others.Implemented best in class processes to improve Razorfish go-to-market solutions for pricing and legal negotiations- Developed negotiation templates and trainings for Finance, Legal, and Client teams focused on speedy execution while achieving the desired legal and financial objectivesWorked to identify and create Client management training for best practices (Pricing, scoping, and investment management)

New York, Ny, Us

- Primary finance and operations partner for Market President and leadership team for a $100M market- Managed all headcount decisions across all disciplines, with consultation with leadership on strategic hires- Worked with disciplines and leadership to establish a philosophy on full time vs. freelancer staffing- Oversaw resource management to drive effective financial performance due to team leverage and capacity management- Worked with the Executive team to drive strategic decision making regarding team building and pyramid structure within the Region and at the National practice level- Developed market processes to improve information insight which allowed for improved management of market fluctuationsManaged the annual budgeting processes, including setting business targets with Market and National LeadershipOversaw National investment groups budget, forecasting, and general finance support- Groups included strategic brand investment to increase core competencies in analytics, emerging experiences, multi-channel commerce, and platform solutionsManaged Regional team of eight individuals within finance, operations, and facilities

New York, Ny, Us

Supported Regional Vice President of Finance and OperationsActed as trusted advisor to the Client and Project Management teams regarding finance and accounting matters, including financial decisions, plans, reporting and analysisDeveloped solutions to financial operating matters, including issue resolution and financial process improvement- Developed Regional Finance team structure and currently in use- Represented Region in development of propriety project management tool still in useMonitored Regional, Client, and project financial activitiesCreated the reporting that allowed for timely and consistent review of the Regional and Client financial performance

New York, Ny, Us

• Throughout tenure efforts impacted: - Three consecutive years of revenue growth - Three consecutive years of operating income and margin growth.• Managed regional finance and operations of 4 team members and their staff - Oversaw P&L reporting - Partnered with VP of Finance to review financial performance and recommend strategy• Partnered in developing: - Reporting and review process for Client and Management teams - Legal review process and continuing guidance - Nationally integrated Financial and Operational system

New York, Ny, Us

• Developed and implemented forecasting process for 40+ Clients• Developed and implemented single point of reference reporting for the 5 person Executive team• Partnered in developing: - Forecasting and reporting process and templates - Recruiting review and headcount planning process - Program Management integration and implementation process

• Implemented simplified lease tracking for 32 domestic and international leases• Streamlined quarterly audit process and communication between internal staff and external Auditors for all balance sheet accounts• Streamlined daily Bank account reconciliation for the all the companies band accounts - Managed the companies day to day banking relationship• Supported monthly P&L reporting and analysis• Supported financial analysis for Corporate and Digital marketing segments• Managed corporate level tracking and reporting of contract workers• Managed reporting for all international and domestic property leases

Seattle, Washington, Us

• Designed revenue reconciliation process between in-house tracking and accounting software• Implemented monthly commission process for 6 person sales staff• Implemented monthly invoicing and accounts receivable reporting and review for Sr. Management• Implemented fixed asset tracking and management• Managed monthly and annual financial reporting, analysis, and metrics• Responsible for all financial operations activities including: - Revenue recognition, Invoicing, AP and AR, Cash management, and bank reconciliations - Assisted in continuous design of internal reporting system

Master Of Business Administration (Mba), Accounting And Business/Management

Accounting