Country Controller – Switzerland & Austria (CHAT)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co; Chester; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Healthcare coverage

Pension scheme

Hybrid work 50/50

26 days holiday

Career development

On-site parking

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb in Chester, UK is seeking a Country Controller for Switzerland & Austria (CHAT). You will lead the end-to-end financial close across markets, ensuring strong controls and reporting integrity.

This senior role partners with global finance teams, engages with regulators and boards, and connects regional operations to the company’s world‑class platform. Travel to CH and AT is required.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in financial leadership in a global or multinational environment.
• Professional qualification: CIMA, ACCA, CA, or CPA with Bachelor's (Master's preferred).
• Pharmaceutical or life sciences industry experience preferred.
• English fluency essential; German language skills are advantageous.
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting and regulatory compliance.
• Experience engaging with boards, regulators, and global finance teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end monthly, quarterly, and yearly close across two markets.
• Ensure compliance with statutory financials, transfer pricing, internal controls.
• Drive strategic conversations on investments, risks, and opportunities.
• Represent BMS to Legal Entity Boards and regulators and contact points.
• Coordinate with Tax COE, Statutory/Legal Entity COE and Corporate Treasury.
• Collaborate with global teams to connect markets to the world-class finance platform.

Skills

Financial leadership

Global multinational experience

CIMA/ACCA/CA/CPA

English fluency

German language skills

SAP

Blackline

Workiva

Regulatory compliance

Board engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree

Master's degree preferred

Professional qualification (CIMA/ACCA/CA/CPA)

Tools

SAP

Blackline

Workiva

Job description

At Bristol Myers Squibb, our employees often ask, “Who are you working for?”—a question that fuels collaboration, accountability, and urgency in our work. Our purpose-driven culture inspires us to discover, develop, and deliver innovative medicines to prevail over serious diseases. We offer uniquely interesting and meaningful work, opportunities for growth, and a supportive environment that values inclusion, wellbeing, flexibility, and comprehensive benefits. This is work that transforms the lives of patients, and the careers of those who do it.

Benefits

• Eligible for participation in the company’s annual bonus plan
• Family cover healthcare
• Attractive contributory pension scheme
• Hybrid working, 50% home / 50% office, giving you flexibility and balance
• 26 days holiday, plus bank holidays, plus festive shutdown
• Career and qualifications support, we invest in your growth
• Modern office with a range of on-site benefits, including on-site parking

What if your financial leadership directly helped get life-changing medicines to patients? At Bristol Myers Squibb, that’s not a hypothetical. It’s what our finance leaders do every single day. We’re looking for a Country Controller for Switzerland & Austria (CHAT) — a senior finance professional who’s ready to take ownership of two of Europe’s most sophisticated markets, lead with purpose, and be a genuine strategic partner to the business. This is not a role where you maintain the status quo. This is a role where you shape it.

What you’ll own – and why it matters

• Lead the financial close – You’ll own the end‑to‑end month‑end, quarter‑end, and year‑end close process across your markets. When issues arise, you’ll be the person who resolves them – with the support of global teams behind you.
• Be the compliance authority – From statutory financials to transfer pricing documentation, internal controls to regulatory interactions, you’ll ensure BMS operates with integrity in every market you lead. Final sign‑off sits with you and that accountability means something here.
• Drive strategic conversations – Evaluating investment opportunities, articulating financial risks and opportunities, and contributing to local business strategy. Your expertise will be sought, not just reported.
• Represent BMS at the highest level – Including potential membership on Legal Entity Boards of Directors and serving as the primary point of contact for local regulators and in‑person authority visits.
• Connect local operations to a global mission – Collaborating with BMS’s Tax COE, Statutory and Legal Entity COE, Corporate Treasury and Capability Centres, you’ll be the essential link between your markets and the world‑class global finance structure that supports them.

What this role gives back to you

• International scope from a stable base – You’ll be based at BMS’s Chester, UK office, with travel to Switzerland and Austria as required.
• A world‑class global platform.
• Real regional influence.
• Visibility at executive level – Your work will be seen by regional and global leadership. This is a high‑profile role in two of BMS’s most strategically important European markets.
• Complexity that builds exceptional expertise – Multi‑country statutory requirements, evolving regulatory frameworks, cross‑border tax considerations. If you thrive on intellectual challenge, this role delivers it every day.
• Collaboration without borders – You won’t work in isolation. You’ll be surrounded by talented colleagues across finance functions worldwide, all working towards the same mission.
• Work that connects to something bigger – Behind every financial statement and audit submission is BMS’s ability to develop and deliver transformative medicines. Your work has a direct line to patient outcomes.

Based in Chester. Leading across borders. This role is based at BMS’s Chester, UK office, with travel to Switzerland and Austria as the role requires. Chester is a well‑connected, vibrant location – and the perfect home base for a truly international finance leadership role.

You’ll be a great fit if you have:

• 10+ years of experience, including 5+ years in financial management leadership within a global or multinational environment
• A professional qualification – CIMA, ACCA, CA, or CPA – with a Bachelor's degree minimum (Master's preferred)
• Pharmaceutical or life sciences industry experience (strongly advantageous)
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting standards and regulatory compliance
• Fluency in English (essential) – German language skills are preferred and will significantly strengthen your impact in this role
• Proficiency in SAP, Blackline and Workiva – experience a bonus
• The leadership presence to engage confidently with boards, regulators and global finance teams alike
• A customer‑first mindset, strong analytical instincts, and the drive to hold yourself – and others – to the highest standards

How We Work

• Where you work matters – because collaboration, innovation and patient impact happen in many settings.
• Our roles are structured across four work models: site‑essential, site‑by‑design, field‑based and remote‑by‑design. The model assigned to this role is based on its core responsibilities.
• Learn more at https://careers.bms.com/ways-of-working.

Supporting People with Disabilities

BMS is dedicated to ensuring that people with disabilities can excel through a transparent recruitment process, reasonable workplace accommodations/adjustments and ongoing support in their roles. Applicants can request a reasonable workplace accommodation/adjustment prior to accepting a job offer. If you require reasonable accommodations/adjustments in completing this application, or in any part of the recruitment process, direct your inquiries to [e-mail].

Visit careers.bms.com/eeo-accessibility to access our complete Equal Employment Opportunity statement.

Bristol Myers Squibb is Disability Confident – Employer

A UK Government scheme.

Candidate Rights

BMS will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in your area. For roles based in Los Angeles County only: If you live in or expect to work from Los Angeles County if hired for this position, please visit this page for important additional information: https://careers.bms.com/california-residents/

Data Protection

We will never request payments, financial information, or social security numbers during our application or recruitment process. Learn more about protecting yourself at https://careers.bms.com/fraud-protection. Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.

R1606463 : Country Controller – Switzerland & Austria (CHAT) Data Privacy Link

We’re creating innovative medicines for patients fighting serious diseases. We’re also nurturing our own diverse team with inspiring work and challenging career options. No matter the role, each one of us makes a contribution. And that makes all the difference.