Business Controller MEA
Title:
Business Controller MEACompany:
Ipsen Pharma (SAS)About Ipsen:
Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.
Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!
For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/ and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram.
Job Description:
The MEA Finance Controller supports the financial performance, compliance, and operational effectiveness of the Middle East and Africa organization (GCC and MEA Partner Market scope). Reporting to the MEA Finance Director, the role provides financial analysis, planning, reporting, and control activities to support sound business decision-making while ensuring adherence to Ipsen policies and local regulatory requirements.
The position acts as a key finance partner to budget holders and cross-functional teams, contributing to budgeting, forecasting, management reporting, accounting oversight, internal controls, tax-related activities, and financial governance. The MEA Finance Business Controller is expected to combine analytical capabilities with strong operational execution, ensuring the accuracy of financial data, effective cost management, and compliance across the region.
Business Partner Controlling and Performance Management
- Act as a trusted finance business partner to Commercial, Medical, Market Access and Support Functions across the MEA region, supporting strategic and operational decision-making.
- Manage the preparation and consolidation of Budgets, Forecasts and Long-Range Plans, ensuring alignment with business priorities.
- Drive monthly performance reviews by analyzing financial results, identifying business drivers, risks and opportunities, and recommending corrective actions.
- Deliver insightful management reporting and dashboards that support informed decision-making at regional and global levels.
- Challenge business assumptions, investment proposals and spending decisions to maximize value creation and resource allocation.
- Develop financial models, scenario analyses and business cases to support strategic initiatives and investment decisions.
- Monitor operating expenses and investments, ensuring efficient resource allocation and alignment with approved budgets.
- Define, monitor and communicate key financial and operational KPIs to improve business performance.
Purchase Orders, Budget Control & Operational Finance
- Follow up on open purchase orders and outstanding commitments to ensure accurate expense recognition.
- Support procurement and business teams in maintaining compliance with procurement and finance processes.
- Ensure commitments, accruals, and actual expenditures are properly reflected in financial reporting.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of finance and operational processes.
Accounting Oversight & Financial Integrity
- Review accruals, provisions, and other key accounting entries impacting financial results.
- Support month-end and year-end closing activities to ensure timely and accurate reporting, to ensure timely completeness by the Shared Service Center.
Partner Accounts & Reconciliation Management
- Review and monitor partner accounts, distributor accounts, and key third-party financial transactions.
- Perform analytical reviews and reconciliations to identify discrepancies, unusual transactions, and potential financial risks.
- Partner with stakeholders to resolve outstanding balances and ensure financial records are accurate and complete.
Internal Control & Compliance
- Coordinate and maintain the Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ) process and other internal control activities within the MEA region.
- Ensure compliance with Ipsen financial policies, delegation of authority requirements, and internal control standards.
Process Improvement & Systems
- Drive improvements in reporting, forecasting, and financial processes.
- Support automation and simplification initiatives to improve finance efficiency and data quality.
- Participate in regional and global finance projects as required.
Tax & Regulatory Support
- Support regional tax compliance activities, if any, in coordination with external advisors, local finance teams, and global tax functions.
- Assist with corporate tax, VAT, withholding tax, and other statutory filings as applicable.
- Ensure financial transactions and supporting documentation comply with local fiscal requirements.
- Support tax audits and requests from regulatory authorities.
Knowledge & Experience
Knowledge:
- Finance controlling or FP&A - have already participated in budgeting, forecasting, and month-end performance management processes.
- Business partnering - Ability to manage multiple markets and stakeholders across a geographically diverse region
- Strong understanding of financial reporting, internal controls, and governance requirements.
- Good skills in accounting (balance-sheet approach)
- Analytical and problem-solving skills
- Experience working with ERP systems and reporting tools (IBM TM1, Excel)
Experience:
- Working experience in controlling or as a financial business partner
- Pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, or life sciences industry experience is a plus
- Exposure to emerging markets across Middle East and Africa is a plus
Education:
- Degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or related discipline