International Accounting and Reporting Director
Alcon · Fribourg
At Alcon, we're passionate about enhancing sight and helping people see brilliantly. With more than 25,000 associates, we innovate fearlessly, champion progress, and act swiftly to impact global eye health. We foster an inclusive culture, recognizing your contributions and offering opportunities to grow your career like never before. Together, we make a difference in the lives of our patients and customers. Are you ready to join us?
The International Accounting and Reporting Director is a pivotal senior finance leadership role responsible for driving the strategic direction and strengthening governance of accounting and financial reporting across International markets. This role provides enterprise-wide oversight of IFRS and Alcon policy application, leading complex accounting decisions and ensuring consistency, transparency, and control at scale. Acting as a trusted advisor to senior regional and global stakeholders, the Director shapes key business decisions and drives financial integrity. With strong visibility to executive leadership, this position plays a critical role in advancing reporting excellence, driving digital transformation, and building organizational capability. It is a key successor role within the International Finance leadership pipeline, with significant ownership and influence over high-impact financial outcomes.
Leadership Expectations:
Lead the evolution of FRA function into an International organization, scaling the team and operating model to support the growth of the region.
Own and elevate stakeholder experience, delivering high-quality, reliable accounting outcomes and balance sheet reviews.
Act as the single point of accountability (for Global Technical Accounting, International FRA Head, Consolidations and Reporting function) for key accounting and reporting decisions and risk management across regions.
Champion digital transformation, advancing automation and innovation in accounting and reporting.
Strengthen controller capability, partnering with regions to build a high-performing, future-ready finance talent bench.
In this role, a typical day will include:
International Accounting & Reporting
Lead quarterly International Balance Sheet reviews with the CFO and Head of FRA, driving alignment on key risks, judgments, and actions.
Own key International Accounting processes and drive harmonization of accounting practices across regions.
Conduct deep-dive reviews of critical balance sheet and income statement areas, identifying opportunities to enhance consistency, transparency, and control.
Align regional processes to support growth, ensuring effective coordination with Regional teams, Global functions, Consolidations and Reporting, and cross-functional stakeholders.
Risk, Controls & Governance
Lead and coordinate resolution of complex and unusual accounting topics, partnering with C&R and Global Technical Accounting to ensure alignment.
Shape regional revenue recognition positions and drive alignment with Global Technical Accounting.
Establish a robust risk identification and governance framework, ensuring timely escalation, resolution, and mitigation of key accounting risks across markets.
Key partner to the Internal Controls function to strengthen controls across International markets.
Champion Digital Transformation
Key member of governance body within FRA International to implement responsible usage of automation and artificial intelligence capabilities. Embed a culture of innovation, continuously evaluating emerging tools and technologies to modernize the FRA function.
Identify and prioritize opportunities to automate processes and leverage AI in core accounting and reporting activities.
Lead implementation of digital initiatives by partnering with internal teams and external consultants, ensuring measurable efficiency and quality gains.
People & Organizational Leadership
Partner with regional FRA/Finance leaders to build a high-performing controller community, focusing on quality, accountability, and business partnership.
Demonstrate influence (with or without authority) by design and delivering targeted initiatives such as IFRS training, technical workshops, and knowledge-sharing forums to enhance capability and engagement.
Travel Expectations:
Travel on a need basis. Current estimate: 30% travel in Year 1 with an expectation of reduced travel in the future.
Key Success Factors:
Shape and influence critical accounting judgments, ensuring strong alignment with Global functions and Consolidations & Reporting (C&R).
Drive consistent and robust accounting positions across the region, with particular focus on revenue recognition and key FSLIs.
Lead the effective and responsible adoption of digital initiatives, driving scalable improvements while actively contributing to cross-functional transformation efforts.
Own and lead International Balance Sheet governance, facilitating high-quality discussions with senior stakeholders to proactively identify risks and drive actions.
WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO ALCON:
Education:
Chartered Accountant or CPA is a must.
Languages:
Fluent English + other languages (mandarin or Japanese) a plus
Experience:
Deep accounting expertise and business judgment, with 15+ years of experience across accounting, finance, internal controls, or advisory roles, and strong command of IFRS and complex accounting frameworks.
Proven ability to shape and influence senior stakeholders, driving focused discussions with Finance leadership and enabling meaningful policy, structural business changes within the organization.
Strong technical foundation with global perspective, including experience in Big 4 audit and/or Technical Accounting, and operating effectively within complex, multinational matrix environments.
Track record of building high-performing teams, with demonstrated success in talent development, organizational leadership, and leading through transformation and change.
Digital and systems acumen, with proficiency in SAP and other ERP platforms, and the ability to leverage technology to enhance efficiency, control, and insight.
Exceptional communication and leadership presence, enabling effective collaboration, clear articulation of complex topics, and influence at all levels of the organization.
HOW YOU CAN THRIVE AT ALCON:
● Manage your own workload and schedule while hitting your set targets
● Collaborate with teammates to share best practices and learnings as work evolves
● See your career like never before with focused growth and development opportunities
Alcon Careers
See your impact at alcon.com/careers
ATTENTION: Current Alcon Employee/Contingent Worker
If you are currently an active employee/contingent worker at Alcon, please click the appropriate link below to apply on the Internal Career site.