Finance Director

OUR MANIFESTO

At Sephora, we stand together, and we stand for something more. For empowerment, for exploration, for the opportunity to impact people’s lives through the unlimited power of beauty. We embrace uniqueness, unleash creativity, and pursue progress every day. Sparked by energy and excitement, our passion is contagious. We are united by a common goal - to reimagine the future of beauty.

Reimagine your future, with Sephora.

OUR VALUE PROPOSITION:

We have a powerful culture that fuses aspirations, uniqueness, authenticity and valued by each and every Sephora member:

These are the values:

Beauty & Beyond:

We reimagine beauty by inspiring our customers, empowering people and helping them become the best versions of themselves.

Creativity Unleashed:

We encourage exploration, innovation and having fun.

Endless Evolution:

At Sephora you are empowered to choose your own path and accelerate your growth.

Boldly Authentic:

We celebrate diversity and embrace your unique and winning spirit.

Position Purpose:

• Under the responsibility of the CFO, the Finance Director oversees all financial aspects of Sephora Middle East, including Financial Planning & Analysis, Treasury activities and Accounting & Reporting.
• At the heart of the business, the Finance Director is pivotal to financial health and growth of the region. Strong support to the CFO, he partners with all internal and external stakeholders to lead budgeting process, optimize financial performance, provide key insights, and improve financial controls & processes.
• In a highly dynamic retail environment, this regional role covers 6 countries (UAE, KSA, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman) and 7 legal entities. The Financial Director leads a team of 14 staff, of which 3 direct reports.

Key Accountabilities:

FINANCIAL PLANNING & ANALYSIS

• Manage and coordinate forecasting process for the region, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the underlying assumptions.
• Play a key role in associating business stakeholders, challenging options and identifying risks and opportunities.
• Ensure deadlines are met and prepare the necessary presentations.
• Monitor achievements versus forecast and provide monthly dashboards with insightful analysis.
• Support decision-making on key projects (retail expansion, IT, etc) and prepare Capital Expenditure Request accordingly.
• Ensure close follow-up on all Opex/Capex lines partnering with relevant budget owners.
• Drive profitability improvement and develop ROI culture.
• Implement process and system improvements to enhance business efficiency and support growth.
• Develops ad hoc analyses as per business requirements.

TREASURY ACTIVITIES

• Oversee cash flow forecasting (budget, revisions, rolling forecast).
• Monitor closely monthly cash landing and provide clear insights on deviation versus forecast.
• Streamline banking structure and ensure effective cash centralization.
• Drive cash optimization and spread cash culture with key business stakeholders.
• Improve operational efficiencies leveraging current/future tools.
• Build strong relationship with central Treasury team.
• Handle ad hoc projects as per business requirements.

ACCOUNTING & REPORTING

• Lead reliable closing and reporting in a timely manner.
• Closely collaborate with accounting Shared Services Center, promoting open-communication and feedback.
• Ensure integrity of all entities’ balance sheets through detailed monthly reviews, identifying risks and opportunities and defining action plans.
• Work closely with central consolidation team towards reporting accuracy and compliancy with IFRS standards.
• Continuously leverage automation and streamline processes.

AUDIT & TAX MATTERS

• Ensure smooth annual audits for all 7 legal entities and manage relationships with external auditors.
• Responsible for regional tax compliancy working jointly with central Tax team.
• In a fast-changing fiscal environment, anticipate changes for all countries and deal with risks and opportunities.

Skills Experiences & Personality:

• Proven track record of 10 years+ of relevant financial experience with 3 years+ in a leadership role.
• Master’s degree in finance, business or equivalent from accredited university.
• Previous experience in multinational group, ideally in retail environment.
• Strong business acumen and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Hands-on, with demonstrated analytical skills and problem-solving mentality.
• Trustworthy and detailed oriented.
• Eager to lead by example and display a commitment to ethics in all actions.
• Curious and open-minded.
• Promote teamwork, diversity, and inclusion.

Most importantly, She/he needs to live and breathe the Sephora Culture, DNA and Employee Value propositions (EVP) with a passion for people and making a difference. She/he need to have excellent authentic communication and influencing skills and be energized by working in a fast paced, dynamic environment.