Senior Business Planning Analyst, Development

Job Description Summary

The Senior Business Planning Analyst, Development, based in Barcelona, is a pivotal position responsible for driving financial excellence and decision-making within our Development line functions. As our trusted partner for a given operating unit, covering 2-3 countries within the EMEA cluster, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams spanning Study & Site Operations, Patient Safety, and Regulatory Affairs to optimize resource allocation, enhance operational efficiencies, and ensure robust financial controls.
You will report directly to the Head of Finance, EMEA Cluster, Development and you will be a stable member of the SSO Leadership Team of your operating unit while supporting the local Country Finance Committee when needed. Join us in this impactful position as we work together to drive financial excellence and contribute to the overall success of our organization and drug development.
Location: Barcelona, Spain #LI-Hybrid

Job Description

Your responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Act as the Proactive Finance Partner for Development Line function heads on all financial matters; serve as the First Point of Contact for Head SSO of your operating unit regarding all trial-related financial activities.

• Ensure high-quality input for regional and global forecasting. Drive BPA processes, including budget planning cycles, HC control, and structure cost management for your countries and line functions. Recommend and propose corrective measures to management.

• Collaborate with senior management, trial managers, and support functions to optimize resources and budgets. Challenge and investigate spending, ensure corrective actions, and drive productivity and change initiatives with business and functional leaders.

• Responsible for month-end and year-end Financial Closure in line with IFRS and local GAAP: review and analyze costs variances and headcount reports, coordinate expense provision bookings, drive balance sheet reconciliation and monthly intercompany reimbursement and refund processes. Automate and standardize accounting and reporting processes whenever possible.

• Ensure NFCM Compliance and control risks (e.g., Tax). Oversee all financial and administrative activities for Development Studies, ensuring full compliance with internal and external regulations and guidelines.

• Support Harmonization and Optimization of trial finance processes considering Development business needs. Support and manage offshoring/centralization of administrative processes.

• Participate in local, regional and global finance projects. Foster best-practice sharing and actively contribute to the EMEA finance community. Participate in the implementation of SAP S/4HANA for Development and integrated investigator Payment solutions.

• Align with local finance teams for efficient systems, processes, and audits.

• Serve as the country matter expert for medical financial topics in R&D incentives and accounting treatment of contracts.

• Ensure accurate reporting of financial data related to Development to internal and external parties (e.g., EFPIA reporting).

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential for the role:

• 5+ years of work experience in a financial environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical industry

• Degree in Finance, Accounting, or a related field (MBA preferred), or relevant finance certifications

• Strong financial and functional controlling know-how with a high level of attention to detail

• Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities to interact within a matrix organization

• Significant project experience including harmonization and centralisation of processes

• Understanding the complexity of the pharmaceutical industry in general and the matrix of Novartis

• Fluent in English (both written and spoken)

Desirable for the role:

• Experience within a multinational organisation

• Experience in automation and digitalisation within financial processes

Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion:

We are committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Accessibility and accommodation: 

Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to all individuals. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in any order to receive more detailed information about essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message. 

Skills Desired

Ability To Influence Key Stakeholders, AI Driven, Compliance And Controls, Critical Thinking, Data Cleansing / Normalization, Data Visualization, Employee Engagement, Financial And Management, Giving And Receiving Feedback, Insight Generation, Interpersonal Savvy, Managing Ambiguity, Market Understanding, Planning & Analysis, Process Optimization, Rapid Problem Solving, Reporting, Understanding Value Drivers