Head Finance Development

Location: Milano, Italy #LI-Hybride

About the Role:

Novartis is an international renowned pharmaceutical company, specializing in the research, development and marketing of innovative medicines. As part of our growing activity, we are looking for a Head Finance Development in Milano.

Join us in transforming groundbreaking science into life-changing medicines!

Our cross-functional drug Development team in Italy is conducting 200+ trials with over 1,200 active patients. Join our dynamic and passionate team, playing a crucial role in optimizing resource allocation within our Portfolio delivery while regularly contributing to other strategic initiatives. Together, we have the power to make a transformative difference in the lives of patients.

The Head Finance Development Italy is a pivotal position responsible for driving financial excellence and decision-making within our Development line functions based in Italy. As our trusted partner, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams spanning Study & Site Operations, Patient Safety, and Regulatory Affairs to optimize resource allocation, enhance operational efficiencies, and ensure robust financial controls.

In addition, you will functionally manage a diverse team of Finance Specialists, overseeing financial processes related to Clinical Trials and ensuring compliance with internal and external regulations. Your expertise will also play a crucial role in overseeing investigator payments within our Study & Site Operations organization, ensuring accurate financial reporting, and participating in regular Business and Finance Reviews of the SSO Organization.

Your responsibilities will be but are not limited to:

• Act as the Proactive Finance Partner for Development Line function heads on all financial matters.
• Serve as the First Point of Contact for Head SSO Italy regarding all trial-related financial activities, including oversight of TCF management, site payments, and other contracts with external vendors.
• Functional Team Management: Manage and develop a diverse Finance Specialists team, overseeing trial budgets, trial accounting, and customer-facing responsibilities. This includes functional management of 3 to 4 Finance Specialists and overseeing the service performance of 2 CoE team members.
• Financial Performance Management: Ensure high-quality input for regional and global forecasting. Drive BPA processes, including budget planning cycles, HC control, and structure cost management. Recommend and propose corrective measures to management.
• Resource Optimization: Collaborate with senior management, trial managers, and support functions to optimize resources and budgets. Challenge and investigate spending, ensure corrective actions, and drive productivity and change initiatives with business and functional leaders.
• Responsible for month-end and year-end Financial Closure in line with IFRS and local GAAP.
• Ensure NFCM Compliance and control risks (e.g., Tax). Oversee all financial and administrative activities for Development Studies, ensuring full compliance with internal and external regulations and guidelines.
• Drive Harmonization and Optimization of trial finance processes considering Development business needs. Support and manage offshoring/centralization of administrative processes.
• Participate in local, regional and global finance projects. Foster best-practice sharing as a top-tier country in Europe and actively contribute to the EMEA finance community.
• Local Alignment: Align with local finance teams for efficient systems, processes, and audits. Participate in the Country Finance Committee and partner with local medical affairs for decision support on investigator payments.
• Financial Experience: At least 7+ years of work experience in a financial environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry.
• Educational Background: University degree in Finance / Accounting or equivalent.
• Leadership: First leadership experience enabling to focus on coaching, leading, aligning, motivating, and developing a team.
• Controlling and Analytical Experience: Strong financial and functional controlling know-how with a high level of attention to detail.
• Business Understanding: Understanding the complexity of the pharmaceutical industry in general and the matrix of Novartis.
• Fluent in English. Italian skills or quick learning ability are a significant plus.

Benefits and rewards:

Read our handbook to learn about all the ways we’ll help you thrive personally and professionally:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation:

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in any order to receive more detailed information about essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to inclusion.italy@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Why Novartis: Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? Learn more.

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Functional Area: Audit & Finance

Job Type: Full time

Employment Type: Regular

Shift Work: No

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.