Controlling Operations, M&S Senior Financial Analyst (Opex)

About the job

Our Team:

The role is part of the Finance Operations & Transformation organization, a high performing team centered on Finance transformation with the objective to become a best-in-class Finance organization, by delivering efficient and lean processes, improved tools to support better decision making and strengthening on focus and expertise. This will enable Finance Business Partners to focus on finance performance and resource allocation supported by Global Centers of Excellence and Regional Finance Operations teams to deliver Opex and Industrial Affairs activities.

As a Controlling Operations, M&S Senior Financial Analyst (Opex), you will drive consistency and standardization for the Opex management (perso costs, projects costs) across the geography and functions in collaboration with other Controllers. This person will develop partnerships with the Finance Business Partners, other Controllers as well as with the Budget Owners to drive results and control forecasts and budgets.  You will create a positive and supporting atmosphere for the team and neighboring functions as we work together to strengthen the finance partnership with the business.

This role is part of the Opex Center of Excellence (COE) within the Controlling Operations and Transformation team.  This person will help to identify and implement new ways of working as we transform the way Sanofi controls Opex. 

Main responsibilities:

• Track headcount monthly and compared to budgeted and forecasted vacancy rates, including trend analysis for key drivers of change

• Manage accurate and timely month-end and quarter-end closing activities in collaboration with other OPEX COE members (accruals, journal entries, HC tracking…)

• Educate client groups on all aspects of financial policies and processes to ensure compliance   

• Ensure compliance with all internal control requirements   

• Ensure compliance with pertinent SOX controls  

• Ad hoc projects as required   

• Support all key finance initiatives and SMART Spend  

• Develop transversal expertise and calculate impacts in regards of salary costs and fringe benefits

• Manage country overall personnel costs assumptions

• Track all assumptions built into budget and forecasts

• Develop a standard dashboard and/or scorecard of Opex and headcount results   

• Work effectively across multiple ERP systems, iShift, Oracle, etc., and reporting tools, Boost, etc., 

• Design and implement new ways of working with ContOps GBU Controllers & Finance Business Partners across GBUs, as well as Transversal Opex Team to provide cohesive and seamless support to Business Leaders 

• Continuously challenge legacy ways of working and status quo, identify gaps and recommend new ways of working – focus on best practices  

• Improve the business partner experience to focus on value creation

• Promote efficiencies and improved ways of working across designated region and ensure best practice sharing  

About you

Experience:

• 8+ years in service delivery and management in finance controlling environment

Soft skills:

• Effective change management required to manage transition to the future Core model

• Ability to think strategically: global picture understanding combined with operational execution follow up and management. Risk & Internal controls advanced.

• Demonstrated results building partnerships with multi-levels across businesses required.  

• Must have the ability to influence and shape business decisions.  

• Ability to lead and manage a team with at least 8 team members, and stakeholders through influence including demonstrated facilitator skills 

• Strong organization skills: ability to track and manage a high volume of projects at a detailed level 

• Ability to develop a rapport and credibility with key stakeholders 

• Ability to work effectively across international work streams 

• Demonstrated organization savvy and self- awareness  

• Adaptable and able to work in complex matrix environment

Technical skills:

• Demonstrated experience modeling ethical behavior in challenging situations required 

• Excellent written and oral communication skills 

• Strong analytical capabilities with attention to detail and strategic thinking 

• Proven experience working across multiple internal stakeholders 

• Technology savvy, business orientation, and agile learning abilities required 

• Capable of working in multiple systems and tools 

• Solid grasp of evolving Sanofi technology platforms, processes, and controls including SAGA

Education:

• Bachelor’s/master’s degree in accounting or finance is required

Preferred:

• MBA and/or CPA

• Pharmaceutical and public accounting experience

• Commercial Finance and Gross to Net

• TM1 and SAP experience