Director, Controlling at Fresenius Kabi in Lake Zurich, IL

Director, Controlling
Location: Lake Zurich, IL
Job Summary
The Director of Controlling provides strategic leadership and enterprise oversight for revenue accounting, gross-to-net (GTN), and internal controls across the U.S. business, with accountability for the accurate recognition and reporting of more than $3 billion in net sales (approximately $6 billion in gross sales). Reporting to the Vice President of Controlling, this role serves as the organization's subject matter expert on revenue recognition and ensures compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS 15) while maintaining the integrity of financial reporting and strengthening the company's control environment.

This position partners closely with Commercial, Finance, Operations, Contracting, IT, Logistics, and other business leaders to evaluate complex commercial arrangements, including pricing strategies, sales incentives, lease agreements, software licensing, and multi-element contracts, ensuring accounting treatment aligns with regulatory requirements and business objectives. The Director identifies financial and operational risks, drives process optimization, and leads cross-functional initiatives to improve end-to-end business processes, technology enablement, and financial governance.

The Director also provides enterprise leadership for the North America Internal Controls Framework, overseeing governance across all major financial processes, including Order-to-Cash, Procure-to-Pay, Record-to-Report, Payroll, Treasury, and related functions. This role is accountable for the design, implementation, monitoring, and continuous improvement of the U.S. internal control environment, ensuring compliance with corporate requirements, effective remediation of control deficiencies, and executive-level reporting to the CFO and senior leadership.

Additionally, this leader establishes governance for revenue accounting policies, standard operating procedures, compliance training, and control frameworks while fostering strong cross-functional partnerships that promote operational excellence, financial integrity, and regulatory compliance. The Director leads and develops a high-performing team, including Manager and Senior Accountants, building organizational capability and driving a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

*This position requires working onsite in Lake Zurich 3 days per week; remaining days may be worked remotely.
*This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship either now or in the future.

• Salary Range: $208,000-$217,000
• Position is eligible to participate in an annual bonus plan with a target of 16% of the base salary.
• Position is eligible to participate in our medium-term incentive plan.
• Final pay determinations will depend on various factors, including, but not limited to experience level, education, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Our benefits and programs are comprehensive and thoughtfully crafted to ensure our colleagues live healthy lives and have support when it matters most. Benefits offered include a 401(k) plan with company contributions, paid vacation, holiday and personal days, employee assistance program, and health benefits to include medical, prescription drug, dental and vision coverage.
Responsibilities
Revenue Recognition Compliance (IFRS 15) and Gross to Net Accounting
Lead, develop and build a high-performing Revenue Accounting team by building organizational capabilities, advanced succession planning, and strengthening cross-functional business acumen while driving enterprise initiatives that strengthen financial governance, enhance operational efficiency, and advance overall organizational effectiveness.
Provide strategic leadership over Gross-to-Net by advancing forecasting methodologies, accrual governance, pricing analytics , process design, systems capabilities, controls, and data governance to improve accuracy, efficiency, transparency, and financial performance.
Chair the Revenue and Gross-to-Net Governance Council, providing executive leadership and decision-making for cross-functional governance, risk mitigation, issue resolution, and policy alignment.
Champion best practices in revenue accounting, Gross-to-Net, internal controls, and financial governance through organizational education, leadership development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Build and sustain strategic partnerships with Commercial, Finance, Legal, Operations, Logistics, IT, and Corporate leadership to influence business initiatives, contracting strategies, governance, and organizational change.
Establish, strengthen, and continuously advance the governance framework, policies, standard operating procedures, and internal controls supporting revenue recognition and Gross-to-Net accounting while ensuring sustained regulatory compliance.
Present revenue accounting results, key estimates, financial risks, and significant business trends to executive leadership, including the CFO, providing strategic recommendations to support business decisions.
Provide executive oversight for internal and external audits related to revenue recognition and Gross-to-Net accounting, ensuring timely resolution of findings and sustainable corrective actions.
Internal Controls and Governance
Provide strategic leadership over internal controls and compliance by fostering a culture of accountability across the organization while overseeing the design and execution of the U.S. control monitoring and testing strategy to ensure effective issue identification, remediation, and continuous improvement.
Champion a culture of internal controls, compliance, and risk management by influencing business leaders and promoting accountability across the organization.
Provide executive oversight for the design and execution of the U.S. internal control monitoring and testing strategy, ensuring effective risk identification, remediation, and continuous improvement.
Provide strategic leadership for SAP Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) initiatives while partnering with Corporate and regional stakeholders to strengthen governance capabilities and technology-enabled controls.
Build organizational capability within the Internal Controls function by developing talent, leveraging industry best practices, and advancing technical expertise in governance, risk, and compliance.
Lead enterprise initiatives and strategic projects that support organizational priorities and strengthen financial governance.
Responsible for any local policies and SOPs for Revenue Recognition
Responsibilities related to Internal Control
Evaluate present state internal controls over revenue recognition and gross to net and develop and implement new controls in operations and finance to sustain long term goals.
Oversee the implementation, compliance, and future enhancement of the ICS (Internal Control System) Framework for the U.S. legal entities, covering all major business processes.
Promote the importance of adoption and continued maintenance of ICS controls with Fresenius Kabi U.S. business partners.
Design and implement a testing approach for U.S. ICS controls
Support Internal Controls Manager with SAP Governance Risk and Compliance (GRC) change management initiatives and offer counsel and guidance on related topics in the NAM region.
Up-skill Internal Controls team capabilities through established SAP GRC industry connections.
Ensure the proper segregation of duties and approval rights are maintained for the U.S. legal entities.
Partner with Fresenius-Kabi Corporate ICS team to implement SAP GRC process controls.
Establish and govern the policies, procedures, and control framework supporting revenue recognition and internal controls.
Job Requirements
Bachelor’s degree in accounting, with at least 10 years of finance/accounting manager level experience. Master’s degree in management or finance preferred.
CPA required. Thorough understanding of GAAP and IFRS accounting standards related to GTN Accounting and Revenue Recognition
Strategic, forward-looking thinker with an ability to come in and out of details, willing to roll up their sleeves, while still maintaining a big picture view
Ideal candidate has experience in public accounting with mid- to large-cap, multi-national public companies followed by a management role in same
5 years’ experience in the Life Sciences industry managing GTN reserves, systems, and tools is preferred.
Track record of leading through change and transformation, re-engineering processes, leveraging systems and supporting teams through change management initiatives
Proven ability to develop, mentor and grow immediate staff and cross-department staff as necessary, including up-skilling teams to meet and exceed expectations
Leads with a vision to continuously improve on and challenge inefficient processes. Innovative, highly resourceful, and self-motivated, influencing staff and peers alike
Strong data analytic skills, including the ability to pull and validate data from various sources and create effective models to support the company’s accounting position, variance to actuals
Highly effective interactions with all levels of management as well as with outside auditors, consultants and independent third parties.
Excellent verbal and written communication and listening skills, building a culture of inclusivity and exercising patience in interacting with all audiences
Extensive business partnering skills with the ability to work efficiently and effectively in a complex matrix environment and collaborate for the best business decisions.
Experience with SAP or other major ERP systems
Well versed with complexities and compliance requirements of Gross to Net (GTN) accounting, forecasting and analytics in the Life Sciences industry, including chargebacks, customer rebates, pharmacy (PBM) fees, co-pays, patient data, prescription formularies, and others
Experienced in both acute and non-acute care channels for traditional therapies, specialty pharma and biosimilars a plus
The Company’s primary business language is English. The successful candidate must be able to effectively speak, read, write, and understand English to perform the essential functions of the position, including independently understanding policies, procedures, training materials, and workplace communications written in English due to our heavily regulated work environment.
Additional Information
We offer an excellent salary and benefits package including medical, dental and vision coverage, as well as life insurance, disability, 401K with company contribution, and wellness program.
Please note that joining our team does not create a guaranteed or permanent employment arrangement. All employment is at‑will, meaning both the employee and Fresenius Kabi have the right to end the employment relationship at any time, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
Fresenius Kabi is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, citizenship, immigration status, disabilities, or protected veteran status.
Additional Locations: Illinois