Financial Controller

Contract Type: Open-ended
- Location: Lausanne, CH

**About IMD**

Founded by business executives for business executives, the International Institute for Management Development (IMD) is an independent academic institute with campuses in Lausanne and Singapore as well as a Management Development Hub in Shenzhen.
We strive to be the trusted learning partner of choice for ambitious individuals and organizations worldwide. Our executive education and degree programs are consistently ranked among the world’s best by the Financial Times, Bloomberg, Forbes, and others.
Our leading position in the field is grounded in our unique approach to creating real learning, real impact. Through our research, programs, and advisory work we enable business leaders to find new and better solutions.
Our purpose is Challenging what is and inspiring what could be, we develop leaders and organizations that contribute to a more prosperous, sustainable and inclusive world.
- To reinforce our team, we are looking for a_

**Financial Controller**

**The Job's Mission**

Within the Finance & Accounting department, the Controlling team enables top management to make sound, data-driven decisions by delivering robust financial analysis, scenario planning, and business performance reporting. Our mission is to establish a sustainable and efficient partnership with departments across IMD, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, actionable financial insights.

As a Financial Controller, you will act as both a strategic business partner and a digital finance champion. You will support and drive key parts of the budgeting and forecasting cycles under the leadership of the Controlling Manager, strengthen financial controls, and ensure compliance. You will also play a pivotal role in the digital transformation of the finance function, by advancing the use of modern technologies — such as business intelligence platforms (e.g., Power BI), Enterprise Performance Management (EPM) solutions, and AI-powered analytics — to enhance efficiency, insight, and decision-making.

This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the success of one of the world’s most prestigious business schools, working in a dynamic and international environment.

**Key Activities & Accountabilities**

Business Partnering:

- Act as a finance partner to selected departments, providing cost variance analysis, performance insights, and strategic guidance.
- Support in coordinating the budgeting and forecasting processes, providing analysis and challenging assumptions.
- Analyse results versus budget and forecast, highlighting risks, opportunities, and actionable recommendations.
- Oversee governance and tracking of funds, ensuring that donations and restricted funds are used according to donor intentions and institutional policies.

Digital Finance Transformation:

- Drive the adoption of modern finance tools (e.g., Power BI dashboards, EPM solutions, AI-assisted forecasting) to improve planning, analysis, and reporting.
- Identify and implement automation opportunities to streamline controlling processes.
- Promote a culture of data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making across IMD.

Operational Excellence:

- Support the redesign and modernization of finance processes to match organizational growth and international expansion.
- Collaborate with IT and the controlling team to design data infrastructure and reporting pipelines.
- Standardize and automate financial reports, dashboards, and management packs to deliver timely, value-added insights.

System Management and Documentation:

- Document current and new system process flows to ensure transparency and consistency in financial reporting.
- Contribute to the design and continuous improvement of documentation standards, ensuring knowledge is captured and shared effectively.

Ad-hoc Analysis and Support:

- Provide support to the controlling team with ad-hoc analysis as necessary, addressing emerging issues or supporting decision-making as required.

**Education**
- Master’s degree in finance, Economics or similar

**Experience**
- Between 8 to 10 years of experience in a Finance / Accounting function (i.e. Business Controlling / Audit / Sales controller)

**Competencies**
- Solid analytical and numerical skills, with the ability to turn data into meaningful insights.
- Strong foundations in financial controlling, accounting, or audit, with the motivation to further develop in digital finance.
- Interest in and willingness to learn modern finance tools (e.g., EPM systems, Power BI, AI-assisted analytics); prior exposure is an advantage but not mandatory.
- Demonstrated ability to improve or streamline processes; curiosity to explore automation opportunities.
- Comfortable with Excel; knowledge of Power BI or Tableau is a plus.
- Clear and effective communication skills; able to explain financial concepts to non-finance stakeholders.
- Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work independently when needed.
- Conversa