Finance and Admissions Manager

Who we are

Founded in Paris in 1895, Le Cordon Bleu is considered today the largest network of culinary and hospitality schools in the world with more than 35 schools in 20 countries and 16,000 students of over 90 nationalities are trained every year.

Le Cordon Bleu combines innovation and creativity with tradition through its certificates, diplomas and bachelors and master degrees, including an online degree in gastronomic tourism.

Over the last century Le Cordon Bleu has seen revolutionizing change as we have evolved from a Parisian cooking school to an international network of culinary arts and hospitality institutes. 

Our philosophy of achieving excellence through constant practice and refinement remains the same, even as we grow to meet the needs of the contemporary culinary and hospitality industries. 

While our focus at Le Cordon Bleu is education, we have taken special interest in the public realm as well. 

We offer many fine restaurants as well as numerous bakeries and coffee shops under the Le Cordon Bleu trademark. In addition, we have expanded our activities to include various educational media such as culinary publications, instructional videos, TV series, cooking equipment and such more. 

Our privileged partnership and articulation agreements with various governments, universities, and culinary associations have allowed us to promote French Art de Vivre worldwide

1.Reporting and working relationship

Reporting to the LCB Program Director and work closely with the LCB Network Global Support Unit (GSU).

2.Main Role and responsibilities

We are looking for an experienced Finance and Admission Manager to oversee the financial and admissions operations of our institution. This dual-role position involves managing the financial planning and budgeting processes, as well as handling admissions strategies to ensure compliance of records. The ideal candidate has a background in finance and experience in admissions, with strong analytical skills, a customer-oriented mindset, and the ability to drive initiatives that align with institutional goals.

3.Tasks

Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Develop, manage and analyze financial performance to support decision-making.
• Develop strategies for managing financial risk and enhancing returns.
• Prepare and review financial statements, reports, and budget forecasts.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for local and global stakeholders.
• Ensure effective management of cash flow, investments and financial risk management.
• Maintain compliance with applicable financial regulations and reporting standards.

Budget Management:

• Oversee the preparation and monitoring of annual budgets.
• Analyze variances between budgeted and actual financial performance.
• Implement financial controls and processes to manage budget adherence.
• Support and advise departmental leaders on financial matters and budgeting.

Business Control:

• Identify areas for cost-reduction and efficiencies opportunities (local/regional) with a particular attention on collaboration between entities within the region.
• Design, implement, control, and improve business operations;
• implement a granular level of reporting across the business to extract the key insights for effective decision making.
• Foster maximum performance and dedication while tracking progress, and establishing corrective measures as needed
• Spur company growth, maintain key operational procedures, create new processes and ensure day to day operational excellence.
• Translate strategy into actionable goals for performance and growth helping to implement organization-wide goal setting, performance management, and annual operating planning.

Admission Management:

• Develop and implement effective admissions strategies to meet enrollment goals, focusing on student acquisition, retention, and engagement.
• Oversee the entire admissions process, from application review to enrollment, ensuring a smooth, transparent, and efficient experience for applicants.
• Analyze admissions data to track trends, identify opportunities, and provide regular reports on enrollment and applicant demographics.

Compliance and Control:

• Ensure adherence to financial regulations and company policies.
• Implement and maintain internal controls to ensure financial integrity.
• Ensure compliance with accounting principles, standards, and regulations.
• Coordinate the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors in alignment with the Le Cordon Bleu Network guidelines.
• Manage submission of regulatory requirements as required.
• Identify and address financial risks and opportunities and Provide recommendations.
• Ensure alignment to the Le Cordon Bleu Network SOP, Global Reporting Requirements and Matters requiring prior approval.

Human Resources:

• Supervise human resources management and the implementation of the HR cycle within the institute.
• Responsible for payroll and service provider management, the human resources management platform and
• all its ancillary activities in support of various managers.
• Ensure compliance with human resources policies and regulations.

Strategic Leadership & Planning:

• Serve as a key member of the leadership team, contributing to organizational strategy and decision-making.
• Participate in executive meetings and strategic planning sessions.
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support organizational goals and initiatives.
• Collaborate with senior management to develop financial strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Maintain and strengthen relationships with business partners and agents.

Operational Excellence:

• Identify and implement operational improvements to optimize processes and allocate resources efficiently.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) related to admissions, IT and operational activities.
• Collaborate with academic departments and support teams to align operational processes with the mission and objectives of the institute.
• Responsibility for the safety of goods and people within the institute and compliance classification.
• Promote best practices in resource use.

5.Personal Skills and Soft skills

• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in financial management software (Business Central, Tagetik) and MS Office, especially Excel.
• Knowledge of CRM systems and admissions platforms.
• Financial Acumen: Strong understanding of financial principles, budgeting, and accounting standards.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret financial and admissions data to make data-driven decisions and recommendations.
• Organizational Skills: Exceptional time management, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively with prospective students, families, and internal teams.

Preferred Qualities

• Experience in process improvement and implementing new admissions or financial processes.
• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.
• A customer-oriented approach to handling admissions inquiries and financial aid discussions.

6.Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business Administration, or a related field; an advanced degree (MBA, Master’s in Finance) is a plus.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years in financial management, with experience in an educational institution or related field preferred.
• Prior experience in admissions or student services is highly advantageous.
• Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma principles