Operation Finance controller, Leisure Cruises (w/m/x) / Orient Express Sailing Yachts

About Orient Express

Artisan of travel since 1883, Orient Express sublimates the art of travel with its luxury trains, hotels, and sailing yachts. The brand has just launched its first hotel, Orient Express La Minerva, in Rome – which will be followed by Orient Express Venezia at Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in 2026. The experience continues with the recent launch of La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, followed by Orient Express Corinthian in 2026, the first of two Orient Express Sailing Yachts, and finally, the return of L’Orient Express train to railways. Since 2022, Orient Express is part of Accor Group’s leading collection of luxury brands with a century-old legacy in the hotels and fine- dining sectors. In 2024, Accor and LVMH entered into a strategic partnership to accelerate the development of Orient Express. Follow the journey at @orientexpress on Instagram or visit the website at www.orient-express.com. 

About Orient Express Sailing Yachts

140 years after the launch of its first luxury trains, the Orient Express legend continues with the launch of the world's largest sailing ships, the Orient Express Corinthian. A revolution in maritime history, and a fabulous project that pushes back the limits of what is possible. The result of a unique French partnership between Accor, the world leader in hospitality, and Chantiers de l'Atlantique, the world's leading cruise ship builder. This extraordinary sailing ship of the future, with its spectacular interiors, will set sail in 2026.

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Performance, and based in Orient Espress Sailing Yachts’ headquarter in Paris, the Operation finance controller will contribute on: 

• Working closely with onboard finance officers and HQ teams to monitor and challenge cruise-by-cruise performance across all revenue streams and cost categories for both vessels, ensuring accurate reporting and actionable insights
• Actively contribute to the drafting, implementation and updates of operational reporting (in the PMS), and ensuring the proper communication of figures from the PMS to the corporate ERP
• Strong involvement in the annual budget process, the variance analysis between actuals and budget, and the preparation of regular reforecasts throughout the year, relying on interactions with operational teams
• Participating in monthly closings, including posting accruals, and reviewing commissions
• Analyzing, anticipating, and regularly communicating on the vessel’s financial situation
• Drafting, updating and ensuring proper application of operational finance procedures between the vessels and the HQ (reporting, accounting principles, etc.)
• Drafting, updating and ensuring proper application of onboard operational control / internal audit procedures: inventory audit, cash registers, safes audits, complimentary items, deductions
• Actively contribute to ensuring compliance with internal control rules at HQ
• Collaboration with cross-functional teams to support financial initiatives and projects, and ensure a transversal function between the vessels and the HQ
• Supporting operational departments by providing various financial analyses
• Involvement, and active participation in achieving the GOP and the financial targets of the vessels
• Monitoring paymasters and various debtors in connection with departments, including follow-ups
• Monitoring agency commissions, OTAs, and other distribution-related commissions
• Monitoring cash flow projections, in direct collaboration with the accounting team

Typical Background and knowledge:

• Master’s degree in Hospitality, with a strong focus on Finance, or Master’s degree in Finance
• Past experience as a hotel controller on site (3 to 4 years)
• Proficient in Excel and financial modeling
• Knowledge of accounting
• Proficient in French and English (spoken and written).

Competencies:

• Autonomous, rigorous, and well-organized
• Curious, dynamic, and comfortable with analysis
• Able to fully commit and have a real impact on the vessel’s operations
• Ability to work efficiently as part of a team
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Adaptability and responsiveness
• Strong sense of confidentiality and discretion
• Energy, speed, and efficiency