Group Finance Internal Control Director

Title:

Group Finance Internal Control Director

Company:

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 Group Finance Internal Control Director will be responsible for shaping, leading, and continuously strengthening the Finance Internal Control framework worldwide— ensuring a robust and consistent control environment, reliable financial reporting, and a strong culture of compliance across all entities.

In this role, the Group Finance Internal Control Director will oversee the design and execution of key control programs, guide the Finance community with clear insights on control effectiveness, and act as a trusted partner to other 2nd line functions and 3rd line. She / He will empower the finance community through training, communication, and develop a network of internal control champions, fostering alignment and continuous improvement.

She / He will also contribute to broader Finance transformation initiatives, leading and promoting the creation and update of Group accounting procedures and ensuring that internal control principles are embedded in finance processes, accounting systems, and organizational changes.

WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

Lead and develop the Finance Internal Control framework and its execution

• Define, own, and steer the Group Finance Internal Control strategy and multi‑year roadmap, ensuring clear governance, accountability, and alignment with Finance leadership priorities.
• Oversee the Finance Internal Control Framework, including charters, policies, methodologies, and responsibilities for all stakeholders across the Finance community.
• Provide regular updates to Senior Finance Leaders and the Audit Committee, ensuring transparency on key findings, remediation actions, risk areas, and forward priorities.
• Represent Finance Internal Control within Group-level committees and cross-functional initiatives, advocating for strong finance internal control principles
• Ensure overall coherence, continuous improvement, and long‑term maturity of the Finance internal control environment
• Stay updated on the latest industry regulations and best practices for internal control

Accountable for maintaining a reliable Control Environment & Oversee Continuous Monitoring

• Design, implement, and enhance monitoring programs including annual Self‑Assessment Questionnaire - SAQ, access reviews, fraud monitoring program, control spot checks and thematic reviews
• Ensure effective periodic evaluation of internal controls across global processes, leveraging KPIs, dashboards, and risk indicators
• Support affiliates and finance teams by providing expertise on remediation plans, SAQ improvements, audit recommendation follow-up, and mitigation of control or process risks
• Contribute to the development and update of policies, procedures, and operational documentation, ensuring clarity, compliance, and alignment with the Internal Control Framework
• Collaborate closely with other 2nd line and 3rd line functions (e.g. Risk Management, Business Ethics & Compliance, Internal Audit) to ensure alignment and policies completeness
• Challenge the affiliates and finance community on the robustness of their control environment and controls design, ensuring that risks are appropriately identified, assessed, and mitigated through effective and documented controls
• Coordinate with external auditors during audit processes
   

Promote a Strong Finance Internal Control Culture Across the Organization

• Strengthen the culture of compliance and accountability by embedding internal control expectations into operational routines and leadership behaviours
• Lead communication and awareness initiatives, translating complex control requirements into practical guidance for finance teams
• Develop and deliver training programs to enhance internal control capabilities among process and control owners across Finance teams
• Facilitate cross‑entity knowledge sharing by disseminating best practices, fostering a collaborative finance community, and promoting continuous improvement
• Establish, lead, and animate an Internal Control Champions Network, composed of controllers, accountants, and local internal control representatives from various countries.
• Develop this community as an extension of the Group’s Internal Control function, ensuring they act as ambassadors of internal control within their respective entities, contributing to efficient deployment of methodologies and tools.

Support Accounting Guidance updates & Transformation Projects

• Lead the creation, update, and governance of Group accounting procedures, ensuring consistency, clarity, and full alignment with internal control requirements and financial reporting standards
• Partner with GBPO (R2R, P2P, O2C), Consolidation and Accounting Shared services in standardization, simplification, and harmonization initiatives concerning accounting guidance and processes
• Support the animation of a strong Accounting Excellence community, ensuring accounting guidance is effectively communicated, understood, and embedded in processes across affiliates
• Provide accounting guidance to countries, divisions, and global teams, ensuring day-to-day questions are resolved and guidance is effectively embedded across affiliates
• Provide Finance internal control leadership in strategic Finance and cross-functional transformation programs as for example during system implementations, organizational changes (e.g. acquisitions), or end‑to‑end process redesigns to ensure controls remain robust, efficient, and adapted to emerging risks

Lead and Develop the Finance Internal Control Team

• Provide day‑to‑day leadership to the Finance Internal Control team, ensuring smooth operations, clear priorities, and effective execution of action plans
• Develop and grow team capabilities, including performance management (objectives, feedback, reviews), coaching, and tailored development plans to build expertise
• Foster a collaborative, high‑performing team culture, encouraging knowledge sharing, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Set clear roles, expectations, and ways of working, ensuring alignment with Finance leadership and effective coordination with internal stakeholders.

Knowledge & Experience (essential):

• Master’s degree (Bac +5) or equivalent in Finance, Accounting, Audit, or related field.
• 8–10+ years of professional experience in Finance, Audit, Internal Control, or related governance functions.
• Previous experience in external audit or internal audit is required, ideally gained in a leading international environment.
• Strong accounting knowledge (IFRS and/or local GAAP).
• Broad exposure to key finance processes (R2R, P2P, O2C, closing activities, etc.).
• Proven project management experience, including driving cross‑functional initiatives

Knowledge & Experience (preferred):

• Recognized professional certification in Accounting is a strong plus.
• Experience working in multinational or matrix organizations is a plus.

Languages :

• Fluent English (written and oral) is essential for this global role.

French proficiency is highly recommended

Nous nous engageons à créer un lieu de travail où chacun se sent écouté, valorisé et soutenu, où nous incarnons « The Real Us*». La valeur que nous accordons aux différentes perspectives et expériences motive notre engagement en faveur de l'inclusion et de l'égalité des chances. Lorsque nous intégrons des modes de pensée diversifiés, nous prenons des décisions plus réfléchies et découvrons des solutions plus innovantes. Ensemble, nous nous efforçons de mieux comprendre les communautés que nous servons. Cela signifie que nous voulons également vous aider à donner le meilleur de vous-même lorsque vous postulez à un poste chez nous. Si vous avez besoin d'aménagements ou d'aide pendant le processus de candidature, veuillez en informer l'équipe de recrutement. Ces informations seront traitées avec soin et n'auront aucune incidence sur le résultat de votre candidature. *Soyons nous-même