Controller - Temporary Position
Abbott Laboratories · Milan
Position Summary
We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Interim Country Controller to support our Italy & Greece operations on a fixed-term basis. Reporting to the Region South Controller EP, this role is responsible for ensuring continuity of financial leadership across both markets, providing strong financial stewardship, business partnering, and governance during a key phase for the organization.
The successful candidate will lead all core controlling activities, oversee planning and reporting cycles, ensure compliance with corporate policies and local statutory requirements, and provide insightful financial analysis to support strategic and operational decision-making. Acting as a trusted advisor to both finance and commercial stakeholders, the Interim Country Controller will play a critical role in driving business performance, maintaining a robust control environment, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function.
The role requires a proactive and commercially minded finance professional who can effectively balance operational excellence with strategic thinking, influence senior stakeholders, and lead a high-performing finance team in a dynamic and matrixed international environment.
Position: Interim Country Controller Italy & Greece (Fixed-Term Contract)
Location: Milan, Italy
Reporting to: Region South Controller EP
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a trusted finance business partner, providing financial insight and constructive challenge to support operational and commercial decision-making.
- Deliver in-depth financial analysis and develop complex forecasts, reports, and recommendations to enable informed and timely management decisions.
- Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes, ensuring alignment with business objectives and strategic priorities.
- Ensure the accuracy, integrity, and reconciliation of balance sheet accounts, driving timely resolution of outstanding issues.
- Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes in accordance with accounting policies and reporting requirements.
- Review and analyze financial performance, including P&L, balance sheet, and key business metrics, identifying risks, opportunities, and trends.
- Perform detailed variance analyses against budget, forecast, and prior-year results, providing actionable insights to management.
- Prepare and present financial performance reviews, management reports, and executive presentations for the leadership team.
- Maintain a robust internal control framework and ensure compliance with corporate policies, accounting standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance processes, systems, controls, and reporting activities.
- Lead and coordinate priority finance projects, ensuring effective execution and alignment with business needs.
- Manage relationships with shared services, auditors, and regional finance teams to ensure efficient and compliant financial operations.
- Plan, prioritize, and allocate workload across the team to ensure resources are utilized effectively and key deadlines are consistently met.
- Provide direct people management, coaching, and development support to the FP&A Analyst, fostering a culture of high performance and continuous growth.
Education & Competencies
- Proven ability to influence decision-making at management level and drive change across finance and commercial functions.
- Strong business partnering capabilities, with the ability to challenge and support stakeholders in a constructive manner.
- Advanced analytical skills and proven experience in managing large data sets and leveraging data-driven insights.
- Strong knowledge of Excel and experience with financial planning and reporting systems such as Hyperion, Dodeca, or similar platforms.
- Solid accounting, compliance, and internal control expertise, ideally gained within a Big 4 environment, Internal Audit, or a comparable finance leadership role.
- Demonstrated experience leading business transformation and process improvement initiatives.
- Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into clear business insights.
- Native or equivalent proficiency in Italian and fluency in written and spoken English.
- Collaborative mindset with the ability to operate effectively within a matrix organization and across diverse stakeholder groups.
- Previous people management experience with a focus on coaching, development, and team engagement.
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