Company description With a history that dates back over 80 years, Starcom is a global communications planning and media leader. We are an agency still grounded in our founding principle that understanding people is at centre of all we do. Each day, we apply this belief to harness the transformative power of data and technology to inspire individuals and move businesses forward. With more than 7,000 employees worldwide, Starcom partners with the world's leading marketers and new establishment brands, including Bank of America, Best Buy, Coca-Cola, Kellogg Company, KraftHeinz, Novartis, P&G, Samsung, Visa and more. Starcom is part of Publicis Media within Publicis Groupe, one of the world’s leading communications groups. Overview The Media Finance Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring seamless financial processes across media planning, buying, billing, and vendor management. This role acts as a bridge between the media, finance, procurement, and client servicing teams to ensure accurate media spend tracking, timely invoicing, and budget compliance. The role demands strong attention to detail, financial acumen, and a deep understanding of media workflows. Responsibilities Financial Operations & Reporting Monitor and manage the end-to-end media billing cycle – from plan approvals to invoice generation and payment processing. Reconcile vendor bills against media plans and insertion orders (IOs). Generate regular financial reports detailing spends, budget utilization, and outstanding amounts. Vendor & Media Partner Management Liaise with media vendors and internal buying teams to ensure timely receipt of invoices and proof of execution. Resolve vendor discrepancies and negotiate billing timelines where necessary. Maintain and update media rate cards and contracts. Client Finance Coordination Coordinate with client finance teams for billing approvals, documentation, and collections. Track receivables, client credit notes, and media audit requirements. Ensure accuracy in cost estimates, PO (Purchase Order) management, and revenue recognition. Compliance & Controls Ensure adherence to internal audit, legal, and statutory compliance for media transactions. Support periodic financial audits, both internal and client-side. Manage tax implications (GST, TDS, etc.) related to media spends. Budget Planning & Forecasting Assist media and strategy teams with budgeting and forecasting media spends. Support profitability analysis across accounts or media campaigns. Qualifications 5–8 years of experience in media finance, agency operations, or commercial roles in advertising/media. Strong understanding of media planning & buying workflows (digital, TV, print, OOH, etc.). Familiarity with media finance tools/platforms (e.g., SAP, Prisma, BCC, DDS). Advanced Excel skills and working knowledge of ERP/finance systems. Excellent communication and coordination skills. Bachelor’s/Master’s in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related discipline. Prior experience in a media agency or marketing procurement team preferred. Knowledge of Indian taxation related to advertising (GST, TDS, etc) Additional information Eye for detail and accuracy Strong organizational and time-management skills Proactive and solution-oriented mindset Ability to work cross-functionally with creative, media, and finance teams