Finance Director

Position: Finance Director As the Finance Director for Lebanon, you will serve as a strategic co-pilot to the Country General Manager and a key member of the local Management Committee (Man. Com). You will be responsible for steering the financial performance of the subsidiary, ensuring robust internal controls, managing cash flow and treasury in a highly volatile economic environment, and partnering with commercial and brand teams to drive sustainable, profitable growth.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Business Partnering & Co-Piloting Act as a strategic advisor to the General Manager and brand heads, translating financial insights into actionable business strategies. Optimize the country’s Profit & Loss (P&L), maximizing return on investment (ROI) on advertising, promotion (A&P), and trade spend. Evaluate commercial policies, pricing strategies, and distributor agreements to safeguard margins in a shifting currency landscape.
2. Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) Lead the local budget construction, trend analyses, and three-year strategic planning cycles. Deliver accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting to Zone and Group headquarters in compliance with IFRS and Group standards. Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) closely, proactively identifying risks and opportunities to steer performance.
3. Treasury, Cash Management & Risk Mitigation (Critical for Lebanon) Oversee local cash-flow forecasting and liquidity management, ensuring operational continuity. Manage complex banking relationships and local currency risks in a volatile monetary environment. Supervise working capital (receivables, inventory, payables) with a strong focus on Credit Management and timely collection policies.
4. Internal Control, Tax & Compliance Ensure absolute compliance with L'Oréal Group’s internal control framework and local Lebanese legal, tax, and accounting regulations. Liaise with external auditors, tax consultants, and local authorities. Identify, monitor, and mitigate operational, financial, and legal risks across all departments.
5. Team Leadership & Talent Development Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance team (Accounting, FP&A, Credit Control). Foster a culture of agility, transparency, and high ethical standards within the finance function and the wider organization. Drive digital transformation within the finance department (automation of reports, modern ERP usage). Required Profile & Qualifications Education: Master’s Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field (CPA, CFA, or CMA is a strong plus). Experience: 10+ years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior financial leadership role, preferably within the FMCG, Beauty, or Retail sectors. Market Knowledge: Proven experience navigating the complex financial, banking, and regulatory landscape of Lebanon. Strong expertise in cash management under economic volatility is highly valued. Languages: Fluent in English and Arabic is mandatory. Proficiency in French is highly desirable given the local and group context. Skills & Systems: Advanced knowledge of ERP systems (SAP preferred) and business intelligence tools. Excellent analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. Leadership Posture: Strong resilience, agility, systemic thinking, and the ability to challenge the status quo constructively while maintaining strong business partnering relationships.