Estée Lauder Companies Commercial and Business Development Intern

About Estée Lauder Companies

The Estée Lauder Companies is a global leader in prestige beauty, founded in 1946 by Estée and Joseph Lauder and built on an enduring belief in creativity, high-touch service, and entrepreneurial spirit. As an employer, the Group offers talent the scale of an international house with the energy of distinctive brands across skincare, makeup, fragrance, and hair care. Its culture values innovation, inclusion, learning, and responsible growth, inviting professionals to shape consumer experiences from laboratory to counter, digital platform to boardroom. Employees join a purpose-led organization where heritage, artistry, and scientific excellence meet to define the future of luxury beauty.

The Commercial and Business Development Intern supports EMEA wholesale strategy and performance through retailer analytics, strategic reviews, investment analysis, marketing presentations, and joint business planning. The role is an internship requiring a convention de stage.

Role & Responsibilities

• Develop and communicate actionable weekly and monthly retail performance dashboards for leading European retailers.
• Build and maintain retailer profile scorecards and benchmarking tools, gathering data on retailer sales, market share, category mix, online and brick-and-mortar split, store footprint, and competitor presence.
• Support the preparation of strategic business reviews and leadership meetings, including Top-to-Top meetings, Regional Commercial Leadership meetings, and Brand Steering Committees, providing insights to guide executive decision-making.
• Support the preparation and performance analysis of regional contractual investments, identifying optimization opportunities and return-on-investment drivers to strengthen wholesale partnerships.
• Coordinate annual marketing plan presentations between regional brands and major retail partners in May and June.
• Support the development and follow-up of joint business plans with strategic retailers, including distribution expansion, brand and category priorities, retail media opportunities, and other key commercial or contractual discussions.

Qualifications

• Currently completing a postgraduate degree at a top-three French business school or an equivalent leading international institution (equivalent to Bac+5).
• Previous internship experience is required; an end-of-studies internship is strongly preferred. Prior experience in strategy or finance is highly valued.
• Fluency in English is required; French is strongly recommended but not mandatory.
• Excellent analytical skills, rigor, and demonstrated problem-solving abilities.
• Advanced Excel proficiency is mandatory.
• Strong PowerPoint skills for preparing impactful presentations.
• No previous sales or commercial experience is needed.
• High drive, motivation, and commitment to assigned tasks.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment, with exposure to several markets and product categories.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with multiple stakeholders and manage exposure to senior management.
• Business acumen, curiosity, and a strong drive for impact.
• Ability to take a step back, propose solutions, and make proactive recommendations.
• Knowledge of or interest in the beauty and luxury goods industries is recommended.
• A convention de stage (internship agreement) is mandatory.

Skills

Experience

Previous internship experience is required; an end-of-studies internship is strongly preferred. Prior experience in strategy or finance is highly valued.

Education

Currently completing a postgraduate degree at a top-three French business school or an equivalent leading international institution (equivalent to Bac+5).

Workplace

Culture

The Estée Lauder Companies fosters a collaborative, inclusive workplace where creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, and a passion for prestige beauty are deeply valued. As a global house of distinctive brands, it offers employees an environment that encourages innovation, professional growth, and a shared commitment to excellence and consumer inspiration.

About Cerulean

Cerulean is the definitive career portal for the global luxury industry. We match exceptional professionals with exclusive opportunities at the world's most prestigious brands. From haute couture and fine watchmaking to prestige beauty, hospitality, and boutique retail, Cerulean centralises luxury employment to help you find the career for which you were destined.