Associate Director, Financial Controls & Compliance

Job Description Summary

#LI-Hybrid

This position will be located at the East Hanover NJ site and will not have the ability to be located remotely.

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

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Effectively lead Financial Compliance team taking responsibility for the team members including delivering on-boarding and coaching to new team members providing technical support and feedback. Rate potential and capacity of team members and provide feedback to FC&C management.

• Master key company policies that FC&C provides assurance on including their implementing guidelines and procedures. This includes a comprehensive understanding of NFCM and SOX 404 requirements to ensure compliance with those requirements and US specific needs.

• Apply effective project management to various assignments to deliver work which meets quality standards deadlines and the expectations of stakeholders.

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of financial statement risks and business risks along with the ability to evaluate their implications for the control environment.

• Independently test effectiveness of NFCM controls. In coordination with the control owner ensure a timely reporting of control deficiencies to regional /global team members and agree on any necessary remediation actions.

• Perform control deficiency impact evaluations. Identify root causes of control issues evaluate actual impact and potential impact evaluate mitigating controls investigate analyze and advise on resolution and remediation actions with responsible management. Prepare impact assessment memos evaluating exposure control impacts etc. and aggregation assessments as appropriate.

• Assess and conclude on control impacts for new projects implementations performed by the business (e.g. system upgrades implementation of automated controls interfaces bots and other business/finance transformation projects). Prepare related documentation for conclusions on control impacts. Demonstrate thorough understanding of IT control testing including identifying IT controls (automated controls key reports etc.) and understanding of SOC 1 requirements to perform these assessments.

• Identify potential risks and opportunities for simplification operational improvements and/or efficiencies and lead implementation of solutions. Perform special projects and lead initiatives to improve the technical and operational effectiveness and of the FC&C team.

• Establish and maintain key-contact relationships with local management and/or functional area(s) of responsibility to support the Regional FC&C head in assessing risks across the region and developing overall effective compliance strategy for US units.

• Build effective business partnering and advisory relationships with external auditors as well as Group stakeholders (Global Process Owners Global FC&C Internal Audit etc.). Support with preparation of key deliverables for leadership.

• Effectively manage competing priorities demonstrate effective time and workload management problem-solving skills agility and adaptability strong communication skills. Ability to recalibrate priorities to align with strategic priorities and risk areas.

• Identify opportunities to implement use of digital tools leveraging data analytics and AI to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of processes. Demonstrate agility in adapting to new technologies and approaches driving innovation within the team.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelors degree preferably in Business Finance Accounting or related; Masters degree and/or CA/CPA/CIA certification a plus

• 6 years of accounting compliance audit experience required with 4 years of Financial Controls & Compliance (SOX testing) experience

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence / motivate others under different geographies / cultural and hierarchy setting

Desirable Requirements:

• Multi-national multi-dimensional and/or pharmaceutical industry/manufacturing experience

• Global exposure or experience collaborating across regions is a plus.

• SAP or Shared Services experience

Novartis Compensation and Benefit Summary: The pay range for this position at commencement of employment is expected to be between: $114100.00 and $211900.00/year; however while salary ranges are effective from 1/1/25 through 12/31/25 fluctuations in the job market may necessitate adjustments to pay ranges during this period. Further final pay determinations will depend on various factors including but not limited to geographical location experience level knowledge skills and abilities. The total compensation package for this position may also include other elements including a sign-on bonus restricted stock units and discretionary awards in addition to a full range of medical financial and/or other benefits (including 401(k) eligibility and various paid time off benefits such as vacation sick time and parental leave) dependent on the position offered. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. If hired employee will be in an at-will position and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time including for reasons related to individual performance Company or individual department/team performance and market factors.

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 and 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 a position please send an e-mail to or call 1 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$114100.00 - $211900.00

Skills Desired

Compliance And Controls Critical Thinking E2E Process View Employee Engagement Financial Accounting Financial Management Reporting Giving And Receiving Feedback Interpersonal Savvy Process Optimization Rapid Problem Solving