Director Finance North America

Director Finance North America (position based in USA)

Our client is an internationally active, medium‑sized publicly listed Swiss company, headquartered in the German part of Switzerland, which operates in attractive and growing markets. It produces and sells its innovative products worldwide. The Financial management of the North American subsidiaries is key to the success of our client as the North American market accounts for a significant proportion of total turnover.

The position will manage the accounting and finance departments in North America with competence centers and production sites. The role will handle a broad range of accounting/financial reporting, analytical, and managerial duties.

Following a three‑month introduction period at the headquarters in Switzerland, the role will be based in the USA. The plan is for the incumbent to hold the position for approximately 3 to 5 years. This role is particularly suited to ambitious younger professionals who already have sufficient experience in controlling and leadership, and wish to take their career in a new direction through an assignment abroad for a clearly defined period.

• Oversee financial operations and reporting for the North American entities
• Sparring partner and challenger to the local management team as well as sales organization of the region North America
• Ensure governance within North America’s leadership team
• Ensure high‑quality accounting and financial statements in compliance with Group Accounting guidelines
• Conduct financial analysis and reports to Group & Local Management and navigate the North American Organization through a fact‑based decision‑making process and support improvement of financial performance
• Secure/build high‑performance finance & accounting
• Responsibility for all local financial, legal, tax, and sales tax related matters
• Establish budgets and periodically forecasts in accordance with Group guidelines, develop financial planning and projections
• Conduct analysis of financial risks and benefits on business initiatives
• Identify and realize efficiency gains through synergies in administration processes between the organizations in North America

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance or related field (Master’s and CPAs preferred), ideally additional education in Controlling (e.g. Chartered Expert in Financial and Managerial Accounting and Reporting, Advanced Federal Diploma of Higher Education) or Audit
• 5+ years of financial management experience in an international environment, especially responsibility for controlling of operative business units/divisions
• Deep understanding of cost accounting
• Strong business understanding with the ability to link financial guidance with business needs. Understand how the various functions and value streams work together
• Authentic, down‑to‑earth and hands‑on personality
• Entrepreneurship skills to identify business opportunities and initiate actions
• Creative, open‑minded and acts as change agent by challenging status quo and proactively bring outside in perspective
• Communicative and integrative across all hierarchical levels
• Fluent in English