Administrative and Financial Director (M/F)

About the job

Join our international institution

The Lycée Français de Zurich (LFIZ), a French school abroad partner, member of the AEFE network, offers quality and caring education, both innovative and effective, which encourages and supports multilingualism and multiculturalism. Our programmes are recognised both by the French National Education and by the Department of Public Instruction of the Canton of Zurich (Bildungsdirektion). Half of our pupils benefit from fully bilingual French-German education in primary school, continued in secondary school by a "German" international section and soon a "British" international section.

Our institution has been experiencing strong growth for several years; it currently educates 1,150 pupils and employs approximately 186 people.

To support our development and as part of a reorganisation of our services, we are looking for a: Administrative and Financial Director (M/F) on a permanent contract. The position is to be filled from 1 February 2027.

Positioning and Governance

A full member of the management team and the main contact for the Headteacher on all non-pedagogical management, you perform your duties under the direct authority of the Head of the institution (the Headteacher), within the strategic orientations defined by the Management Committee (a body composed of elected parents). You are a member of the Executive Committee (CODIR) and actively participate in all strategic matters of the school.

Your missions

As guarantor of the proper administrative, logistical, accounting, HR and financial management of the institution, you manage and coordinate the departments under your responsibility (technical, administrative, legal, human resources, accounting/financial and IT) to optimise their efficiency and management processes.

Your missions are structured around four main areas:

• Development strategy and financial management: You actively contribute to the institution's development strategy by building economic and financial scenarios to support its growth, investments (extension and real estate projects) and the evolution of its offer, while ensuring its financial sustainability in the medium and long term. You prepare the budget and ensure strict monitoring of its execution as well as rigorous planning and monitoring of cash flow.
• Control, review and risk management: You supervise and review the general and analytical accounting maintained by the accounting department, manage subsidy requests, optimise management processes and strengthen internal control. You ensure the supervision and compliance control of the procurement processes for goods and services, and optimise tenders for our infrastructures (maintenance, repairs, upkeep) as well as our insurance coverages with the support of a broker.
• Payroll and Human Resources supervision: Overall responsibility for the institution's payroll process, administrative management of personnel files and supervision of strategic HR files (recruitment, training, evaluations and remuneration policy), in liaison with the finance/HR department.
• Team support: Close to operational staff and attentive to their field issues, you play a role of advice, support, coordination and securing their activity while ensuring team engagement and skills development.

A source of proposals, you actively participate in the continuous improvement of the school's management in a participative and collaborative manner, according to the adopted strategic plan. Finally, you represent LFIZ in the institution's bodies and with its administrative, financial partners and local or French official bodies.

Your profile

• Education & Experience: With higher education in finance, accounting, auditing or management control, you have a proven and successful experience of at least 5 years in an equivalent position, including transversal and hierarchical management of multidisciplinary teams in a complex organisational environment. A real knowledge of the functioning of a school and the AEFE network is a great advantage.
• Key skills: As a member of the management team, you contribute to the steering of the institution. You combine a strong financial and managerial culture with a fine understanding of the human, pedagogical and organisational issues specific to a school. You know how to adapt management requirements to the constraints and rhythms specific to a school, especially during periods of high activity. Very autonomous and with a strong work capacity, you know how to prioritise, make decisions within your area of responsibility and report concisely.
• Interpersonal skills: You understand that a school is built inclusively and participatively. You have excellent stress management and a real ability to arbitrate, negotiate, handle complex situations and unite teams around common projects and support change. You demonstrate absolute rigour and total discretion.
• Technical skills & Languages: Proven expertise in financial modelling and cash flow forecasting. Complete mastery of payroll processing and in-depth knowledge of Swiss social institutions and insurance (AHV, BVG, UVG, accident) are strongly required. Good legal knowledge of the Swiss framework is a plus. Bilingual in French and English, proficiency in German (minimum B2 level) is a major asset for communication with Zurich authorities.

Please apply online via our website and attach your CV and cover letter in French as well as your diplomas, work certificates and any documents useful for the proper processing of the application.