R&D Associate Director Finance & Controlling

Location: Basel (Switzerland)

Today, Lonza is a global leader in life sciences operating across five continents. While we work in science, there’s no magic formula to how we do it. Our greatest scientific solution is talented people working together, devising ideas that help businesses to help people. In exchange, we let our people own their careers. Their ideas, big and small, genuinely improve the world. And that’s the kind of work we want to be part of!

You will be responsible for ensuring the financial integrity and strategic alignment of R&D investments across all divisions. This role exists to create a standardized approach to evaluating the Net Present Value (NPV) of R&D projects driving consistency and accuracy in financial assessments. By providing a centralized framework, you will help to streamline processes, reduce duplication, and uncover commonalities between divisions, ultimately contributing to cost optimization and efficient resource allocation.

You work closely with R&D team, divisional leaders and the corporate finance team to ensure that R&D investments align with both divisional and company goals. This role includes offering expert financial analysis of the portfolio and supporting the development of arguments for new initiatives. You will play a key role in driving cost efficiency while maintaining a deep focus on value creation through specialized and consistent financial insights! Are you ready for this great opportunity?

What you’ll get:

We want everyone who works at Lonza to take pride in their role, take ownership of their responsibilities and drive their career forward. If you achieve these goals, you will be rewarded for your contribution. Along with competitive salaries, you’ll find a wide range of lifestyle, family and leisure benefits available. Depending on your location, these benefits could include family allowances, childcare support, discounts for local businesses and attractions, travel allowances and subsidized meals.

Relocation assistance is available for eligible candidates and their families, if needed.

What you’ll do

• Standardize NPV & risk assessment Methodology: Implement and maintain a uniform Net Present Value (NPV) assessment methodology for R&D projects across all divisions, ensuring consistency in financial evaluations.

• Support R&D Decision-Making: Provide expert financial analysis and insight to support informed decision-making on R&D investments, aligning with both divisional and corporate strategic goals.

• Cost Optimization Initiatives: Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify and support cost optimization initiatives, driving efficiencies in R&D processes and spending.

• Case Development: Assist in building comprehensive arguments for new projects and opportunities, including financial analysis, risk assessment, and strategic alignment. Monitor and Report R&D Performance: Build and maintain financial models to track the performance of R&D investments, delivering regular reports and insights to senior management and divisional heads.

• Champion Cross-Division Collaboration: Identify commonalities and opportunities for collaboration across divisions, using shared resources and knowledge to enhance value creation. Ensure Strategic Alignment: Evaluate R&D investments within the broader context of divisional and company goals, ensuring that resource allocation supports long-term strategic priorities.

• Improve Financial Processes: Lead efforts to streamline financial processes related to R&D, reducing administrative burden and enhancing the efficiency of reporting and analysis.

• Expert Advisory Role: Act as the key financial advisor to R&D leadership, providing specialized insights and recommendations for optimizing project portfolios and capital allocation.

What we’re looking for

• Bachelor to Master degree or equivalent experience in Accounting / Finance / Economics

• Proven Experience in Financial Modeling: Strong expertise in developing and applying financial models, including NPV, ROI, and other project evaluation tools.

• Experience in financial modeling for R&D or similar environments is essential.

• Demonstrated experience in a financial controlling or project evaluation role, preferably within R&D, innovation, or a related sector, with the ability to manage complex financial assessments.

• Ability to interpret complex data sets, provide in-depth analysis, and deliver actionable insights to support decision-making at both divisional and corporate levels. Self-starter, you take initiative, drive projects forward and anticipate challenges or opportunities.

• Strong problem-solving capabilities, ability to manage uncertainties and provide solutions in a dynamic, fast-paced R&D environment. Ability to advise and influence senior management and R&D leadership teams on financial decisions and strategic priorities.

• Fluency in English

Inclusion is one of Lonza’s four core values, alongside integrity, innovation and initiative. We understand the value of our differences and the benefits they bring to our company, community and culture. We also recognize the value of every person’s contribution, regardless of characteristics, preferences and beliefs – including race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and religion.

Every day, Lonza’s products and services have a positive impact on millions of people. For us, this is not only a great privilege, but also a great responsibility. How we achieve our business results is just as important as the achievements themselves. At Lonza, we respect and protect our people and our environment. Any success we achieve is no success at all if not achieved ethically.

People come to Lonza for the challenge and creativity of solving complex problems and developing new ideas in life sciences. In return, we offer the satisfaction that comes with improving lives all around the world. The satisfaction that comes with making a meaningful difference.