Unit Head Finance Operations

Your Responsibilities

The Finance Division plays a key role in ensuring financial sustainability and operational excellence at ISTA. To further strengthen the Division, a new Unit Finance Operations is being established. This unit will bundle accounting and controlling functions, enhance governance and reporting structures, and drive digitalization and efficiency initiatives. We are looking for an experienced and forward-thinking finance professional to assume leadership of this newly created unit.

• Lead and develop the newly established Finance Operations Unit, currently consisting of the Accounting and Controlling teams (together ~20 colleagues), including direct supervision of two team leaders
• Take operational responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring of dedicated cost centers and oversee approval processes for purchase orders/invoices, bank transfers, and grant reportings
• Manage key interfaces with internal stakeholders (e.g. HR Operations, IT & Digital Transformation, Grant Office and other Units) and external partners (auditors, tax advisors, subsidiaries)
• Strengthen governance, control, and compliance frameworks, ensuring transparent roles and approval structures
• Analysis and summary of quarterly reports and development of controlling processes (ISTA and subsidiaries)
• Initiate and implement efficiency and digitalization projects, including the development of automated reporting and data-driven tools (e.g., Data Warehouse)
• Act as sparring partner to the Head of Finance on strategic finance topics and contribute to the further development of the Finance strategy
• Foster collaboration and professional growth within the unit

Your Profile

• University degree in Finance, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field
• Solid leadership experience, ideally overseeing accounting and controlling functions
• Deep knowledge of and experience in Financial Accounting, Financial Audit and/or Controlling
• Strong understanding of process orientation, internal controls, and governance structures
• Proven experience in managing or coordinating finance-related transformation or digitalization projects
• Experience in public sector, research, or university-related environments is considered an advantage
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and German
• High degree of self-motivation, accountability, and service orientation
• Strategic mindset combined with a pragmatic approach