Director Financial Controls & Compliance US

Summary

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

About The Role

The Director Financial Controls & Compliance (FC&C) US will plan, execute, and ensure delivery of high‑quality compliance, controls testing, and risk advisory that meet Novartis Financial Controls Manual (NFCM) methodology standards, SOX 404 requirements, and strategies. This position leads the US FC&C team in assessing business and information technology risks and evaluating 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 and delivering onboarding and coaching to new team members. Provide technical support, feedback, and leadership to the team. Assess team capacity, give feedback to management, enable talent development, and encourage cross‑functional training and knowledge sharing.
• Master key company policies that FC&C provides assurance on, including implementation guidelines and procedures. Comprehensively understand NFCM, customize policies and requirements to meet overall SOX 404 and US needs.
• Own and oversee the end‑to‑end US SOX 404 and financial controls lifecycle, including annual scoping, risk assessment, prioritization, and coordination across multiple initiatives and competing timelines.
• Apply effective project management to assignments, integrations, divestitures, 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. Investigate, analyze, and test solutions or measures for improvement. Prepare memos and reviews, and collaborate with management on impact and exposure assessments for control deficiencies and financial reporting risks. Escalate issues to senior management and governance bodies as needed.
• Build key‑contact relationships with senior local and global management, FC&C organization, Finance, and functional areas to develop an effective compliance strategy for US units. Partner with external auditors (KPMG) and group stakeholders (GPO, Global FC&C, Internal Audit).
• Provide thought leadership in assigned subject matter expertise, maintaining efficient, effective, and up‑to‑date compliance approaches and continuous monitoring principles.
• Collaborate with experts to adopt innovative approaches, including data analytics and automation (e.g., Alteryx, Celonis), to enhance risk identification, control monitoring, and efficiency.
• Liaise with key stakeholders in selected divisions and functions to understand the business and keep informed about changes in business and financial risks.
• Highlight significant, recurring, or emerging risks to local and global management 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. Must operate effectively in complex, fast‑paced, and evolving environments.
• Demonstrated knowledge of PCAOB standards, with the ability to exercise judgment and challenge conclusions in complex situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence and motivate others across different geographies, cultures, and hierarchies while managing competing stakeholder priorities.
• Proven people leadership, organization, and prioritization skills, including structuring work, allocating resources, making trade‑offs, and reprioritizing in response to emerging risks and business needs.

Desirable Requirements

• Degree in Finance or Accounting preferred. Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or CA/CPA/CIA/ACCA certification a plus.
• Multi‑national and/or multi‑dimensional organization experience preferred. Experience in the pharmaceutical or manufacturing industry is a plus.
• Strong IT audit and controls knowledge, including experience evaluating SOC 1 reports, automated and IT‑dependent controls, and system‑driven financial reporting risks within a SOX 404 environment. SAP experience a plus.
• Strong technical accounting background with experience interpreting and applying accounting guidance in a SOX 404 and internal controls environment, including complex or non‑routine transactions.

Benefits & Rewards

The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 per year. The final salary offered is determined based on factors such as relevant skills and experience. Upon joining, Novartis will review the salary periodically. Your compensation will include a performance‑based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility for annual equity awards. US‑based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and various other benefits. Employees are eligible for a generous time‑off package, including vacation, personal days, holidays, and other leaves.

Why Novartis

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EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility & Reasonable Accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process or to perform the essential functions of the position, please send an e‑mail to or call and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

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