International Accounting and Reporting Director

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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

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