Finance Lead

Job Title:  Finance Lead / Head of Finance, France

Location: France

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Finance Lead / Head of Finance to lead the finance function of our French entity and act as a key member of the local management team. The role will have overall responsibility for financial reporting, statutory compliance, tax, treasury, internal controls, business partnering and finance operations within France.

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, the role will work closely with Group Finance, local operational leadership, external auditors, tax advisors and regulatory authorities. The successful candidate will ensure robust financial governance, accurate reporting and compliance with both local statutory requirements and Group policies, while supporting the continued growth and development of the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role requiring strong technical accounting expertise, operational finance experience and the ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced international environment. The role will serve as the primary finance representative for the French business and a key link between local operations and the Group Finance function.

Financial Reporting and Control

• Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual financial close processes for the French entity.
• Ensure accurate and timely preparation of management accounts and reporting packages.
• Deliver reporting in accordance with Group accounting policies and IFRS requirements.
• Review balance sheet reconciliations and ensure all key financial controls operate effectively.
• Perform detailed review and analysis of financial results, identifying risks, opportunities and key performance drivers.
• Support the preparation of annual budgets, forecasts and long-range financial plans.
• Ensure the integrity and accuracy of all financial records and reporting outputs.

Statutory Accounting and Compliance

• Own the preparation and filing of annual statutory financial statements under French GAAP.
• Ensure compliance with all local accounting, regulatory and corporate filing requirements.
• Coordinate annual statutory audits and serve as the primary contact for external auditors.
• Manage relationships with local advisors, auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Monitor changes in accounting, reporting and regulatory requirements and assess their impact on the business.
• Ensure compliance with Group policies and governance standards.

Tax and Regulatory Management

• Oversee all direct and indirect tax compliance activities.
• Manage corporate income tax, VAT and other local tax filings.
• Coordinate with Group Tax and external advisors on tax planning and compliance matters.
• Support transfer pricing compliance and intercompany documentation requirements.
• Manage tax audits and regulatory enquiries as required.

Treasury and Working Capital Management

• Prepare and maintain cash flow forecasts and liquidity reporting.
• Manage local banking relationships and treasury activities.
• Monitor working capital performance and implement improvement initiatives.
• Ensure effective controls over payments, banking platforms and cash management processes.
• Support Group Treasury with financing, cash management and lender reporting requirements where applicable.

Business Partnering and Operational Support

• Act as a trusted finance business partner to local management and operational teams.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Support investment appraisals, capital expenditure reviews and business case development.
• Assist in evaluating strategic opportunities, risks and financial performance improvement initiatives.
• Drive a culture of financial accountability across the business.

Group Reporting and Intercompany Management

• Act as the primary liaison between the French entity and Group Finance.
• Ensure timely and accurate submission of Group reporting requirements.
• Manage intercompany accounting, reconciliations and settlement processes.
• Support consolidation activities and external reporting requirements.
• Assist with Group audit, financing and due diligence activities as required.

Governance, Risk and Internal Controls

• Maintain a robust financial control framework and ensure appropriate segregation of duties.
• Identify and manage financial, operational and compliance risks.
• Drive continuous improvement in finance processes, controls and systems.
• Support internal audit reviews and remediation activities.
• Ensure compliance with delegated authority policies and approval frameworks.

Leadership and Ways of Working

• Lead and develop the local finance team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Operations, Commercial, Tax, Treasury and Group Finance teams.
• Promote best practice financial management and governance standards.
• Support finance transformation and process improvement initiatives.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Essential Requirements

• Professionally qualified accountant.
• Significant experience in a Finance Controller, Head of Finance or senior financial management role.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS and French statutory accounting requirements.
• Experience managing statutory audits and regulatory compliance obligations.
• Strong understanding of tax compliance, including VAT and corporate income tax.
• Experience within a multinational organisation.
• Strong financial reporting, analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Fluent in both French and English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within data centres, digital infrastructure, real estate, technology or other asset-intensive sectors.
• Experience supporting major capital expenditure programmes and project accounting.
• Experience with ERP implementations or finance transformation initiatives.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical accounting and financial control expertise.
• Commercially minded with the ability to support operational decision-making.
• Excellent leadership and people management capabilities.
• Strong organisational and project management skills.
• High attention to detail and commitment to financial accuracy.
• Ability to influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-paced international environment.

What We Offer:

• Opportunity to influence financial performance and strategic decision-making.
• Exposure to major operational, financing and growth initiatives.
• Close collaboration with Group Finance and senior leadership.
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience and qualifications.