Head of Finance & Administration / Directeur Administratif & Financier

Pioneer in iron-based therapies, CSL Vifor is a global leader in iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia therapies, with a history dating back to 1872, when pharmacist Caspar Friedrich Hausmann opened a pharmacy in St. Gallen, Switzerland. Since then, we have proven our ability to identify and serve therapeutic areas and patients with significant unmet medical need.

Building on our heritage and expertise in iron deficiency therapy, and together with our joint company Vifor Fresenius Medical Care Renal Pharma, today we have a strong and rapidly growing presence in nephrology, and we are committed to launching the next generation of therapies to truly address the full spectrum of kidney disease

We are seeking a confident and credible Head of Finance and Administration to deliver high-quality strategic and operational success.

This role is pivotal within our leadership team, requiring strong financial and business acumen to translate the needs of our business into actionable plans.

Role and responsibilities:

• Financial Management & Control: Oversee all aspects of financial management, providing accurate and timely data to support business growth. Offer sound commercial advice to stakeholders.
• Leadership: Manage and lead the finance division, acting as a trusted advisor to the General Manager and the Leadership Team (LT). Shape CSL Vifor France’s mission, values, and strategic plan.
• Collaboration: Work closely with the France Leadership Team and HQ to drive business growth. Report to the Head of Finance – Europe, with a dotted line to the General Manager, France
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of competitive business strategies. Ensure the achievement of financial goals and targets.
• Financial Reporting: Ensure the consistent delivery of accurate and timely financial reports. Manage cash flow, financial plans, and budgets.
• Team Development: Lead the Finance team to achieve their full potential through effective performance management, coaching, and direction.

Leadership

• Play a leading role in the CSL Vifor France Leadership Team, contributing to business strategy development.
• Ensure optimal productivity and profitability through effective management.
• Keep the General Manager informed of day-to-day operations and achievement of goals.
• Build strong relationships with Leadership Team members, alerting them to critical business issues.
• Contribute towards the broader development of the business and respond to new and changing requirements as the working environment evolves.

Financial Management

• Oversee financial control and management, identifying areas for improvement.

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, and reporting.
• Manage cash flow and intercompany transactions.
• Prepare annual financial accounts and liaise with auditors.
• Organise boards of directors and general meetings in compliance with legal obligations
• Controlling the company's legal commitments (insurance, subcontracting, etc.) by centralising and validating all contracts drawn up
• Ensuring compliance with legislation, monitoring legal and contractual developments
• Validate tax choices with experts (Tax specialist, Auditors, Chartered Accountant)
• Work with direct reports (4 FTE’s) and the Leadership Team to prepare and manage departmental budgets.

Commercial Strategy

• Understand the pharmaceutical market situation in France, devising and supporting strategies to ensure the optimal outcome for the business,
• Ensure sound commercial obligations consistent with strategy.
• Develop business information and financial systems fit for current and future purposes.
• Support development of optimal product pricing to balance profit with patient and payer needs.

Background education and experience

• Higher graduate level in Finance / Taxes / Accounting
• 10+ years of experience in a similar role, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry
• In-depth knowledge of financial functions, processes, and policies.
• Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to operate in a fast-paced, challenging environment.
• Strong can-do mindset in implementing digital solutions/transformation
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to educate colleagues and explain financial information to non-financial managers, and create and deliver effective, relevant reports and presentations.
• Experience managing finance teams and building financial processes.
• Familiarity with supply chain, logistics or pharmaceuticals industry preferred.
• Experience of working in a matrix structure
• Fluent in French and English
• Ability to coach and mentor team members, and work alongside to develop processes, controls and systems.

CSL Vifor aims to become the global leader in iron deficiency and nephrology.

The company is a partner of choice for pharmaceuticals and innovative patient-focused solutions across iron, dialysis, nephrology and rare conditions. CSL Vifor strives to help patients around the world with severe, chronic and rare diseases lead better, healthier lives. It specializes in strategic global partnering, in-licensing and developing, manufacturing and marketing pharmaceutical products for precision patient care.

For more information, please visit viforpharma.com

As a global organization with employees in 35+ countries, CSL embraces diversity and inclusion. Learn more about Diversity & Inclusion at CSL.