Manager - Planning and Reporting

India - Karnataka - Bengaluru  - Richmond Road -  Alyssa Building - Level 2 · On-site

About this role

Job Description:

Key Responsibilities

1. Cost Model Ownership & Maintenance

  • Own and maintain the cost model, ensuring:
    • All changes in actuals (e.g., leavers, joiners, promotions, rate changes) are accurately reflected
    • Continuous alignment between actuals, forecast, and cost assumptions
    • Proactively identify whether leavers are being replaced and any associated cost savings/ risks.
    • Visibility of open roles (new vs replacements vs uncommitted costs), leavers (confirmed and unconfirmed), job requisitions and hiring status
  • Drive a process-led approach to cost model updates via structured inputs (e.g., WD reports)
  • Present first view of consolidated CXM cost model to FP&A senior manager and Commercial Finance to discuss further margin risks and opportunities. Refine cost model after the review.
  • Headcount – visibility of actuals onshore, nearshore and offshore.

2. Actuals vs Forecast Analysis

  • Support month-end processes including:
    • Actualisation of staff and non-staff costs in 1 sheet (for CXM level)
    • Forecast updates (SL and central costs)
  • Collaborate closely with RTR teams to:
    • Improve efficiency
    • Enhance insight quality
  • Lead detailed analysis of actuals vs forecast variances on costs
  • Identify and explain key drivers:
    • Headcount movements
    • Rate changes / promotions
    • Other business decisions
  • Partner with offshore and nearshore teams to validate assumptions and variances.
  • Translate insights into clear financial implications for the business

3. Offshore & Nearshore Business Partnering

Act as the finance bridge across geographies:

  • Work closely with offshore lead, nearshore lead and Operations to validate:
    • HC forecast (leavers, joiners, promotions)
    • Any changes in tiers
  • Improve visibility of HC movements to wider CXM FP&A and Commercial Finance teams
  • Drive better forecasting discipline and accuracy
  • Provide challenge and support on:
    • Rates
    • Promotions
    • Workforce planning decisions

4. Reporting, Insights & Narrative

  • Own and manage key reporting including:
    • Cost model updates (WD report + HR + Operations)
    • PAR and the narrative email that send to ELT
  • Produce clear, concise leadership-ready narratives for:
    • ELT and senior stakeholders
    • Monthly and quarterly reviews
  • “Connect the dots” across data sources to tell a coherent financial story

5. Reporting & MI

  • Support planning cycles:
    • MFF/ RF packs
    • Monthly/ Quarterly MI packs
  • Contribute to presentation materials and key slides

Location:

Bangalore

Brand:

Bcoe

Time Type:

Full time

Contract Type:

Permanent

Company at a glance

Merkle, a dentsu company, powers the experience economy. For more than 35 years, the company has put people at the heart of its approach to digital business transformation. As the only integrated experience consultancy in the world with a heritage in data science and business performance, Merkle delivers holistic, end-to-end experiences that drive growth, engagement, and loyalty. Merkle’s expertise has earned recognition as a “Leader” by top industry analyst firms, in categories such as digital transformation and commerce, experience design, engineering and technology integration, digital marketing, data science, CRM and loyalty, and customer data management. With more than 16,000 employees, Merkle operates in 30+ countries throughout the Americas, EMEA, and APAC.

Founded1988
Team Size10,001+ employees
WorkspaceOn-site
IndustryBusiness Consulting and Services
Location
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Websitemerkle.com
LinkedInLinkedIn

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