Senior Business Controller - French Speaker

The Senior Business Controller leads financial oversight, operational planning, and performance management across business lines. Working closely with leadership and cross-functional teams, this role drives budgeting, rolling forecasts, project profitability, and internal controls using SAP S/4HANA to optimize margins and support strategic decision-making. Key Responsibilities 1. Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting • Lead annual budgeting and financial planning in alignment with strategic objectives. • Develop department and business line budgets in close collaboration with operational managers. • Maintain monthly rolling forecasts to proactively identify budget variances, risks, and performance drivers. 2. Month-End Closing, Performance Analysis & Reporting • Drive month-end financial closing processes, ensuring data integrity and timely reporting. • Analyze actual vs. budget/forecast/prior-year performance, delivering actionable insights to executive leadership. • Produce monthly Group, Management, and Departmental financial reporting packages and executive dashboards. • Partner with commercial teams on contract renewals, pricing structures, and financial negotiations. • Identify cost-saving initiatives and drive operational improvement plans to resolution. 3. Financial Governance, Controls & Digital Transformation • Design, implement, and maintain robust internal control frameworks to safeguard company assets. • Conduct internal control assessments to ensure strict compliance with corporate policies and financial regulations. • Support financial, quality, and internal audits, serving as a primary point of contact. • Lead process optimization and leverage SAP S/4HANA to automate financial reporting and control workflows. 4. Project & Contract Financial Management • Track and optimize project and client contract profitability against target margins. • Collaborate monthly with Project Managers to validate reforecasted revenue, gross margins, and cost variances. • Monitor project cost drivers, flag potential budget overruns, and execute corrective action plans. Qualifications & Skills Professional Experience & Technical Skills • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related fields. • Experience: 6–8 years of progressive experience in business controlling, FP&A, or corporate finance. • ERP Knowledge: Hands-on experience with SAP S/4HANA (FI/CO modules) required. • Financial Expertise: Deep knowledge of financial principles, risk management, internal controls, and project accounting. • Advanced Analytics: Advanced MS Excel skills (financial modeling, data automation) and proficiency across the MS Office Suite. Key Competencies & Soft Skills • Strong analytical, quantitative, and problem-solving mindset. • Clear executive communication and presentation skills. • High attention to detail with an emphasis on accuracy and reporting integrity. • Proven ability to manage deadlines and thrive under pressure in a fast-paced environment. • Strong cross-functional collaboration and change-adaptability.