At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and provide insights across key business functions at SEPHORA UK.
- Company: Join SEPHORA UK, a leader in beauty and inclusivity, part of the LVMH family.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, competitive pay, generous discounts, and a paid day off on your birthday.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping the future of prestige beauty with impactful financial insights.
- Qualifications: Degree in Finance or related field, strong analytical skills, and experience in finance roles.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 80000 £ per year.
At SEPHORA UK, beauty isn’t just what we sell - it’s who we are. It’s the freedom to express yourself, the thrill of discovering something new, and the power of belonging to a community that celebrates every identity. From our beginnings in France to becoming part of the LVMH family, we’ve always pushed boundaries through creativity, innovation, and inclusivity. Today, as we continue our exciting expansion across the UK, we’re looking for passionate, driven individuals to help shape the future of prestige beauty in one of the world’s most dynamic retail markets. If you thrive in a fast‑paced environment and love bringing ideas to life through impactful campaigns, this is your moment.
This is an exciting opportunity to join SEPHORA UK as an OPEX Controller, playing a key role in driving visibility and control across our operating costs and supporting key business functions. In this role, you’ll combine strong analytical expertise with a commercial mindset – supporting financial performance across Supply Chain, IT and HR, while helping leaders make informed, data‑driven decisions. You’ll act as a trusted partner to multiple business areas, translating complex financials into clear insights that drive performance, efficiency and smarter investment decisions.
What you’ll be doing …
- Support business performance by turning financial data into clear, actionable insights across key cost areas including Supply Chain, IT and corporate functions.
- Deliver accurate and timely OPEX reporting, ensuring strong visibility and control across costs under your scope.
- Analyse performance vs. forecast and prior year, identifying risks, opportunities and key cost drivers.
- Partner closely with accounting and finance teams to deliver high‑quality financials aligned with Group standards and deadlines.
- Play a key role in monthly performance reviews, supporting senior stakeholders with clear, insight‑led analysis.
- Support end‑to‑end forecasting cycles, ensuring strong alignment and accuracy across budgets, estimates and long‑term plans.
- Act as a key point of contact for HQ on cross‑charges and Supply Chain financials, ensuring clarity and alignment.
- Collaborate with business leaders to build financial scenarios that support operational and strategic decision‑making.
- Co‑lead financial input into Supply Chain projects, supporting business cases and Group‑level submissions.
- Translate financial reporting into simple, meaningful insights for a wide range of stakeholders.
- Build strong relationships across Supply Chain, IT and HR, becoming a trusted and credible finance partner.
- Continuously improve financial processes and ways of working to drive efficiency and better decision support.
What you’ll bring …
- You’ll be a commercially minded finance professional with strong analytical skills and a collaborative approach, comfortable working across multiple functions.
- A degree in Finance, Economics or Accounting, with ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent desirable.
- Proven experience in an analytical or FP&A role, ideally within retail, e‑commerce or a multi‑functional environment.
- Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial data and models.
- The ability to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights for non‑finance stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage priorities and work at pace.
- A collaborative and credible approach, with confidence working with stakeholders at different levels.
- A proactive, solutions‑focused mindset with strong attention to detail and a drive for continuous improvement.
Beautiful Benefits at SEPHORA UK
- Private Healthcare, Life Assurance and Private Pension from day one.
- Competitive pay that grows with you, including annual salary reviews.
- A generous employee discount across the world’s best beauty brands.
- A paid day off on your birthday.
- Access to a wellbeing and perks platform.
- LVMH Heart Fund support.
- Generous holiday allowance, with the option to buy more.
SEPHORA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace for all. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, or other employment practices. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating and fostering an inclusive environment for all employees.
OPEX Controller in London employer: LVMH Group
At SEPHORA UK, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to express their creativity and drive innovation in the beauty industry. As an OPEX Controller, you will benefit from competitive pay, comprehensive healthcare, and generous holiday allowances, all while collaborating with passionate professionals in a dynamic retail environment. Join us in shaping the future of prestige beauty and enjoy unique perks like a paid day off on your birthday and access to a wellbeing platform.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land OPEX Controller in London
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like LVMH Group. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace OPEX Controller in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to LVMH Group.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on LVMH Group's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at LVMH Group
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with LVMH Group.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at LVMH Group will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former LVMH Group employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
