Financial Services Director - UK Finance Lead (Maternity) in London

Job Type: Fixed Term Contract (Maternity cover starting end of August/ Sept 2026)

Location: Chiswick, London

Reporting Line: Finance & Operations Director

We are Pernod Ricard, a leading company in the global wines and spirits industry with over 18,000 employees globally. We own 16 of the world’s top 100 Spirits Brands and hold one of the most prestigious and comprehensive brand portfolios in the industry with 240 premium brands available in over 160 countries.

This position sits in our Pernod Ricard UK (PRUK), our business responsible for marketing, selling and distributing our products in the UK. Our diverse population of 250+ passionate employees have been creating conviviality since 2001, bringing our premium brands and unforgettable experiences to the UK. As the world’s 2nd largest spirits market, the UK is a key location for our company.

About the role:

We are now seeking a Financial Services Director (1 year Maternity Cover) to report to the Finance & Operations Director. Within this role, you will manage the company’s financial accounting, reporting and working capital, ensuring the company operates with structured but efficient processes complying with Pernod Ricard financial calendar & internal control / risk management rules, International Accounting Standard, as well as UK legislation.

In addition, you will support the company strategic agenda through internal & Group exercise / technology / operating model evolution roadmap, either directly on projects in the Finance / Operations area or indirectly in the wider company roadmap definition & support in other projects.

What's involved?

• Management of core financial processes and systems:
• Accounts payable and receivables, including oversight of outsourced team (QX).
• Credit control and factoring.
• Balance sheet and P&L reporting (statutory and below PRO).
• Day to day management of core systems and related transformation projects to meet changing business requirements.
• Working capital / cashflow management:
• Manage cashflow and deliver cash targets for the Group.
• Drive cashflow improvements and help build a cash culture in the business.
• Management of treasury and banking processes.
• Compliance, governance and internal control:
• Take responsibility for the compliance of PR UK with internal & external jurisdiction: Group internal audit, external financial auditors, tax / HMRC, risk management, quality & security (ISO), assets protection & securisation rules.
• Management of external audit relationship.
• Ensure robust internal controls in place to protect company assets and to mitigate against fraud and other risks and maintain business processes and policies.
• Ensure the existence of clear & documented business processes covering financial, operational & key business processes, including clear & shared DoA rules.
• Delivery of LSF (French Financial Security Law) and SAPIN II (Internal Control) and follow up on remediation plans.
• Leadership and development of team and wider finance function through line management and training.

Your skills and experience:

• Qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with senior leadership experience managing mid-size teams (~5+ people), preferably in W&S industry or Multinational FMCG.
• Strong expertise in financial reporting (particularly Cash and Balance sheet) and compliance to all applicable UK and international standards (accounting / IFRS, internal control requirements & UK law).
• Proven track record in financial control, governance, audit, and risk management frameworks.
• Experience leading a team during major finance transformation projects (ERP system upgrade – preferably SAP).
• Demonstrated ability to lead and keep teams highly motivated through a challenging environment / period of change.
• Highly effective stakeholder management with the ability to become a trusted advisor, influence senior leadership and broader teams in finance and other departments.