Luxury Beauty
Director of Administration & Finance
A globally recognised luxury business is seeking a Director of Administration & Finance to lead the financial and administrative functions of its Paris operations — acting as guardian of financial health and a trusted strategic partner to executive leadership.
The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO, this is a senior, high-visibility role at the heart of a growing international business. You will own budgeting, reporting, compliance, and cash management while overseeing day-to-day administration — ensuring that creative and commercial ambitions rest on rigorous, well-controlled financial foundations. This is an opportunity to shape financial strategy and processes as the organisation scales, with direct influence over investment decisions, pricing, and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Build and manage the annual budget and rolling forecasts, working with department heads to align spending with business objectives
- Monitor cash flow, working capital, and treasury on a daily and weekly basis; anticipate financing needs and manage banking relationships and credit lines
- Produce monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements alongside clear dashboards and KPIs for the executive team
- Analyse variances between budget and actuals, identify the drivers, and recommend corrective actions
- Supervise and develop the accounting team, ensuring accurate day-to-day bookkeeping across accounts payable, receivable, and the general ledger
- Own the month-end and year-end closing process in line with French GAAP (Plan Comptable Général)
- Manage costing and margin analysis for bespoke projects, supporting accurate quoting and profitability tracking
- Coordinate reporting to the group and support consolidation with international entities where required
- Oversee general administrative operations including contracts, supplier agreements, insurance, and facilities
- Partner with HR on payroll preparation, social declarations, and employee administration
- Ensure full compliance with French tax obligations (VAT/TVA, corporate tax, social charges) and manage timely filings
- Coordinate statutory audits and act as the primary liaison with the statutory auditor and tax authorities
- Design and enforce internal controls to safeguard company assets, prevent fraud, and mitigate financial risk
- Advise the CEO and leadership team on financial performance, investment decisions, pricing strategy, and profitability
- Lead, mentor, and develop a small finance and administration team
Requirements
- Master's degree in Finance, Accounting, Management, or Business (e.g. DSCG, Master CCA, or business-school equivalent)
- 7+ years of progressive experience in finance and administration, including a first management or DAF-level role
- Background in manufacturing, industrial, or luxury-goods environments is strongly preferred
- Strong command of French accounting, tax, and social/legal frameworks; knowledge of international or consolidated reporting is a plus
- Proficiency with ERP and financial systems, and advanced Excel
- Fluent in both English and French (written and spoken) — essential in an international environment
- Rigorous, hands-on, and discreet, with excellent analytical skills and the leadership to develop a small team
- Experience coordinating external tax and legal advisors; exposure to group or holding structures and intercompany flows is a strong advantage
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