Director /Senior Director Finance Operations, EMEA

About the Role

This senior finance leadership position owns finance operations and controllership across a complex EMEA footprint. Based in one of the EMEA hubs, the role oversees country finance teams across Europe, including business controls, while strengthening governance, operational discipline, and strategic execution.

The position is also expected to help modernize the finance operating model by driving standardization, automation, and the use of AI-enabled solutions. The work spans multiple countries and functions, with a focus on consistency, compliance, and measurable improvement.

Company Culture

The organization emphasizes diversity, innovation, care, global collaboration, winning spirit, and high performance. Team members are supported with tools, information, and training to help them grow their capabilities and careers while contributing to important healthcare challenges.

Location

Primary location is Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The role may also be based in other EMEA hubs, including Madrid, Paris, London, Milan, and Warsaw.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee accounting, statutory reporting, and close governance across the EMEA region from start to finish.
• Ensure financial reporting is accurate, timely, and compliant with US GAAP, while maintaining a strong control environment.
• Lead responses to audits, investigations, and other high-risk finance matters.
• Make sure all local external reporting obligations in each country are met.
• Maintain alignment with company finance and accounting policies.
• Drive major finance transformation programs covering people, processes, and systems.
• Improve process harmonization, simplification, and standardization across the region.
• Identify, implement, and scale automation and AI use cases within finance operations.
• Embed AI into core finance workflows and ensure the changes deliver measurable results.
• Oversee performance of global business services, shared services, and outsourced providers.
• Manage transitions and support evolution of the operating model.
• Define the balance of responsibilities between retained teams and shared service teams.
• Lead and motivate regional teams across multiple countries.
• Build finance capability across the organization and support transformation efforts.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to senior business and finance leaders.

Experience Required

• Demonstrated success delivering AI-led finance transformation, including end-to-end execution of AI or automation initiatives with measurable outcomes.
• Proven background in large-scale finance transformation programs such as ERP implementations, automation, shared services, process harmonization, and organizational change.
• Experience working with global business services or shared services operating models.
• Track record of leading large, international finance teams in matrixed environments, including closing, reporting, and controls, with the ability to influence across regions and functions.
• Ability to improve accuracy, compliance, and process efficiency while reducing risk and raising reporting quality.
• Strong command of accounting standards, audit management, internal controls, and compliance in complex multi-country settings.
• Experience working with international shared service centers.

What Sets You Apart

• Experience expanding AI solutions across multiple regions or functions.
• Ability to turn finance problems into practical digital solutions.
• Exposure to FP&A, M&A integration, or finance operating model redesign.
• Background in internal or external audit.

Leadership Profile

• Enterprise-oriented mindset with strong influence and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to simplify complex issues without weakening governance standards.
• Strong cross-functional problem-solving ability that brings different teams together.
• High execution focus with clear transformation leadership.
• Collaborative leadership style with emphasis on team development and talent growth.

Success Measures

• Accurate and punctual financial close and reporting.
• Stronger controls with fewer audit findings.
• Higher use of automation and AI in finance processes.
• Better service delivery performance.
• Successful transformation and operating model changes.

Additional Information

Requisition ID: 631053. Additional locations are not applicable beyond the EMEA hubs listed above.

About the Employer

The company is a global medical technology leader with more than 45 years of experience. Its products and therapies support the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological, and urological conditions, with a mission to improve patient outcomes and reduce healthcare costs.