Country Controller – Switzerland & Austria (CHAT)

Bristol Myers Squibb EU Policy; Chester; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

On-site parking

26 days holiday + holidays

Family healthcare

Pension scheme

Bonus plan participation

Hybrid work

Job summary

Bristol Myers Squibb in Chester, UK, seeks a Country Controller for Switzerland & Austria (CHAT). You will lead end-to-end financial close and governance across two markets, partnering with regional and global teams to drive compliant, value-adding decisions.

Based in Chester with travel to Switzerland and Austria, you will engage with boards and regulators, shape local strategy, and mentor finance professionals within a multinational setting.

Qualifications

• 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 (advantageous)
• Strong knowledge of accounting principles, financial reporting standards and regulatory compliance
• Fluency in English (essential); German language skills are preferred
• Proficiency in SAP, Blackline and Workiva is a bonus
• Leadership presence to engage confidently with boards, regulators and global finance teams
• Customer-first mindset and high standards for self and others

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close process across your markets
• Be the compliance authority – internal controls, statutory financials, transfer pricing documentation
• Drive strategic conversations on investments and risks, shaping local business strategy
• Represent BMS at board level and with regulators and external authorities
• Connect local operations to the global finance structure and cross-functional teams

Skills

Financial leadership

English fluent

German helpful

Board engagement

Regulatory compliance

SAP

Blackline

Workiva

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 inspire 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.

Bristol Myers Squibb | European Capability Centre

• 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

As Country Controller, you'll be the financial cornerstone of BMS's operations across Switzerland and Austria. You'll work closely with Finance Directors and collaborate with global, regional and local finance teams to ensure that every financial decision is grounded, compliant, and strategically sound.

Here’s What Your Leadership Will Look Like In Practice

• 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.

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

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.

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.

If this posting is missing required information required by local law or incorrect, contact BMS at [e-mail] with the Job Title and Requisition number. Do not send application-related inquiries to this email. To check your application status, please login to your Candidate Home Account.

R1606463 : Country Controller – Switzerland & Austria (CHAT)