Global IDT & WHT System Assurance and Performance Lead

This role will be a Subject Matter Expert and Global Tax SuperUser for Indirect Tax and Withholding Tax related topics. This role will also need to ensures tax configuration in ERP systems, IDT relevant documentation, tax compliance and reporting tasks are maintained and in place. This role drives continuous improvement, through performance KPIs and leads training projects to provide highly effective and efficient end-to-end IDT processes to the No-vartis divisions.

This role will support the Novartis Group of entities including in-country business functions, NOCCs and third party service hubs.

Key responsibilities:

• Operational oversight to provide services at expected levels with a clear customer focus including handling the exceptions. Actively partners and collaborates with key stakeholders including local FRA, NOCCs, Global Tax COEs and Global Tax
• Supports Service Managers to drive productivity and continuous improvement, process changes and leading practices to have an efficient and effective tax process. Act as a Global System Super User in relation to Indirect Tax and Withholding Tax configuration and actively initiates and participates in ERP configuration and/or improvements to sustain a highly effective and efficient process
• Realizes cost reduction opportunities including areas to standardize processes to optimize investments made in global ERP/SAP systems and financial services. Manage and support the training of Indirect Tax and Withholding Tax performance management initiatives. Manage service demand for area of responsibility
• Ensure all processes, policies and procedures in respect of Global IDT and WHT NFCM controls are clearly defined, implemented and performance timely and fully documented, in line with Novartis standards and consistent with best practices as well as aligned with the Global Blueprint
• Support compliance with Novartis Accounting Manual (NAM), Novartis Financial Controls Manual (NFCM) and regulatory requirements and implementation in internal guidelines. Support application of agreed Novartis control procedures and actively support to deliver SOX certification. Promote a strong control environment and follow up on issues and implement correcting measures
• Supporting in the build of an effective ticketing process for bottom up change requests if IDT and WHT master data changes. Maintenance of tax condition and tax determination tables within both the Global Vertex Tax engine and S4 Hana for countries live on LDC engine ensuring tax determination is performed accurately in both the sales and procurement transaction
• Ensuring proper maintenance where require of the Global Tax Procedures as deputy to the Global Vertex Project Lead. Maintaining where required the respective master data tables for DRC including tax table mapping and approval workflows. Supporting regional superusers where applicable in building the Regional Scenario for the Tax Compliance module of S4Hana
• Supporting where applicable the roll out of the respective tools in connection with the LDC timelines; however, this is not the primary role of this position. Proactively challenge the Status Quo and drive continuous improvement, making fact-based recommendations
• Take the lead on building a global dashboard for indirect tax and withholding tax processes; incorporate other Tax related processes as considered necessary. Operationalize performance management across the Global, Regional and Local operational teams, including annual KPIs to drive success. Actively support Indirect Tax Global Process working style being inclusive, proactive, respectful, and results driven in alignment with Novartis Values and Behaviours
• Act as a role model to enable service lines to deliver a high-performing organization and drive improvements/standard solutions while cultivating a customer service focused culture.

Essential Requirements:

• University level degree in Business Administration/ Economics/Finance or Chartered Accountant / MBA desirable
• Indirect Tax specialized qualifications
• Financial experience, with in-depth functional expertise
• Experience of managing projects driving performance (e.g. ERP implementation)

Desirable Requirements:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a multi-national, matrix organization
• Lean/ Six Sigma Certified preferred.
• Previous experience in managing Indirect Tax
• Understanding of tax systems

Skills Desired

Compliance And Controls, Critical Thinking, E2E Process View, Financial Accounting, Financial And Management Reporting, Giving And Receiving Feedback, Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A), Rapid Problem Solving, Tax, Treasury