Finance Director - GIHE

Finance Director - GIHE

Permanent contract at 100%/ Glion, Switzerland

Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE), in the top 3 for Hospitality & Leisure Management by the QS World University Ranking, is a brand of the Sommet Education Group. Founded in 1962, GIHE is a private Swiss institution offering Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in hospitality, luxury and event management to an international student body across three campuses in Glion and Bulle, Switzerland, and London, UK.

You share our values: Development, Distinctiveness, Joint commitment, Openness and Sense of service.

Your profile:

Education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree from an academically rigorous institution in economics, finance, accounting or mathematics
• At least 7 years of accounting or finance experience
• At least 3 years having worked in a finance planning and analysis position and/or in a finance operation position with managerial experience in an international environment with 1 branch approach, open to different cultures and mentalities
• Knowledge of Education sector is a plus

Knowledge and skills:

• Fluent in English and French; Excel and PowerPoint proficiency is a must
• Strong technical financial skills and knowledge of IFRS standards; good financial and economic analytical skills required
• Ability to communicate effectively (written and verbal skills), evaluate and deploy people accurately, manage work processes, and understand the business; excellent communication and public speaking skills required
• Ability to build and maintain good relationships at all level and achieve results in a multicultural team
• Excellent organizational skills
• High energy level, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic

As Finance Director of GIHE, your main missions will be:

Financial Planning and Analysis and Institutional Support:

• Work together with the Institution’s leadership team on the elaboration and execution of the financial development plan for GIHE worldwide; support the institution’s organic growth plans, (new campus expansions, capital expenditures, real estate transactions) as well as new acquisitions or joint ventures
• Maintain and update the enrolment (student numbers tracking) / revenue model; follow-up and report New and Returning student enrolment forecasts and actuals
• Work with centralized accounting team in Spain to ensure that monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting of the institution’s financial statements are made in compliance with local fiscal, statutory and IFRS regulations
• Understand the actuals and complete monthly variances vs Budget and prior year; regularly meet with department heads to follow-up and determine changes to expense forecast and produce variance analysis
• Report forecast P&L information (forecast + budget) into the reporting system; complete financial analyses related to capital expenditure requests and coordinate the capital expenditure approval process for Glion
• Produce and present monthly business review package to CEO and CFO of Sommet group; provide financial support for the forecast, budget and long-range plan processes
  
• Complete the financial information for the forecasts, budgets, and long range plan
• Support the price approval and program profitability process along with Glion Marketing
• Implementation, maintenance and documentation of a comprehensive system of internal controls that ensures the institution’s assets are protected and financial results and transactions are correctly accounted for
• Prepares and presents the financial section of the presentation to quarterly boards of the institution; prepares specific reporting requested under accreditation instances

Student accounting (billing & collection):

• Supervise the student accounting office to assure efficient billing, scholarships, collection and refund processes
• Report on scholarships and discounts to senior team at Glion and provide recommendations
• Manage the best possible relationship with parents and sponsors on any financial related aspects, including claim processes
• Work closely with the Student service support teams to gather accurate information on services used by individual students
• Respond to requests on student financial status and control access to information according to the School’s policies
• Supervise the preparation of reports and statistics (aging, collection status, etc.) to provide to CFO and COO/CEO
• Co-ordinate and supervise new fees registration in the Billing system to enable the team and Registrar/Student Services to issue pro-forma invoices
• Maintain and develop the Student Information System (SIS) functionality
• Plan and follow-up the budget and payroll for the department

Other information: the position is based in Glion, travels to the Bulle campus will be required and to other locations according to business needs