Director Financial Controls & Compliance

Job Description Summary

Job Description

Job Description:

The Director Financial Controls & Compliance (FC&C) US - will plan, execute, and ensure delivery of high-quality compliance, controls testing, risk advisory that meet Novartis Financial Controls Manual (NFCM) methodology standards, SOX 404 requirements and strategies. This position will lead US FC&C team in activities including assessment of business/information technology risks and evaluation of related internal controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead a multi-location Financial Compliance team of 12 FC&C professionals, taking responsibility for the overall US FC&C scope, including delivering on-boarding and coaching to new team members, coaching, leading, providing technical support and feedback. Rate potential and capacity of team members and provide feedback to FC&C management. Enable and lead talent development, encourage cross-functional training and knowledge sharing.
• Mastering key company policies that Financial Controls & Compliance provides assurance on, including their implementing guidelines and procedures. This includes a comprehensive understanding of NFCM, customization of policies and requirements to meet overall SOX 404 requirements as well as US specifics and needs.
• Own and oversee the endtoend US SOX 404 and financial controls lifecycle, including annual scoping, risk assessment, prioritization of activities, and coordination across multiple initiatives and competing timelines.
• Apply effective project management to various assignments, integrations or divestures, systems and process implementations, to improve the technical and operational effectiveness of the FC&C team.
• Leverage automation, bots, AI, and major system transformations (e.g., global ERP implementations) to enhance and modernize the controls environment, while overseeing control design, risk mitigation, and compliance with SOX 404 and NFCM requirements.
• Identify root causes of control issues and reporting errors and investigate, analyze and test possible solutions or measures for improvement. Prepare memos and reviews and agree issues with responsible management. Oversee and challenge impact and exposure assessments for control deficiencies and financial reporting risks, including evaluation of severity, financial statement impact, and ensure timely escalation to senior management and governance bodies.
• Develop key-contact relationships with senior local and global management, FC&C organization, Finance and/or functional area(s) of responsibility to develop overall effective compliance strategy for US units. Will also build effective business partnering and advisory relationships with external auditors (KPMG) as well as Group stakeholders (GPO, Global FC&C, Internal Audit etc.)
• Provide thought leadership in assigned areas of subject matter expertise, maintaining efficient, effective and up to date compliance approach and continuous monitoring principles.
• Implement a collaborative approach with other experts to adopt innovative approaches, including data analytics and automation (e.g., Alteryx, Celonis), to enhance risk identification, control monitoring, and efficiency.
• Liaise with defined key stakeholders in selected divisions/business units and functions to understand the business and stay informed about changes in business and financial risks.
• Highlight risks to local and global management, including significant, recurring and emerging issues where appropriate, for reporting to the Global NFCM Governance Board Committee.
• Provide technical accounting leadership and oversight on complex accounting matters impacting controls, ensuring appropriate interpretation and application of accounting guidance, SOX 404, and internal control requirements in partnership with Finance, Accounting, and external auditors.

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required
• 12 years of SOX 404 (15 preferred), accounting, compliance, audit experience required, with 5+ years of Financial Controls & Compliance experience, including the ability to operate effectively in complex, fastpaced, and evolving environments
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of PCAOB standards, with the ability to exercise judgment and challenge conclusions in complex situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence / motivate others under different geographies / cultural and hierarchy setting while managing competing stakeholder priorities
• Proven people leadership, organizational, and prioritization skills, including the ability to structure work, allocate resources effectively, make tradeoffs,…