Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Switzerland

(Appointment to this role is subject to internal ING Leadership Appointment Process (LAP) as the position is Identified Staff (IDS), approval by the Swiss Regulator FINMA (Fit & Proper), as well as subject to enhanced screening as the position is Integrity Sensitive Position (ISP).

Hierarchically reports to the CEO & Country Manager Switzerland.

Functionally reports to the EMEA CFO.

The role is based in Geneva.

Leads a finance and tax team (currently, 4 direct reports) to ensure proper accounting (financial and management), the delivery of adequate financial, regulatory and management analysis tools and reporting as well as ensuring an adequate financial control environment.

Partners with senior leaders in the development and rollout of the organization's vision and strategy to improve and safeguard financial performance and the integrity of financial statements.

Develops, refines, and implements insights, recommendations, processes, controls, reports, and tools to ensure finance delivers to the highest standards.

Ensure timely reporting and regular alignment with the Group Finance function. Notably for quarterly reporting, budgeting and reforecasting exercise.

The role is a permanent invitee to the Branch’ Executive and Audit Committees, a member of the local Management Committee(s) and of the local NFRC. The role chairs (in alternance with CRO) the Asset & Liability Management Committee (ALCO).

The CFO Switzerland

• Holds executive responsibility for the Finance, Tax & Procurement domains at the Branch.
• Ensures the integrity and accuracy of the Branch’ accounting and financial reporting.
• Ensures alignment with functional and regional requirements and target operating models.
• Ensures all local/regulatory requirements are effectively met and ensure all information protection, procedures and practices are in place and adhered to.
• Steers delivery of operational and other activities to ensure they are performed in the most effective and efficient and controlled manner.
• Supports local change and participates and contributes to functionally led change, understanding and managing local dependencies, resourcing and risks.
• Maintains relationship with auditors as key counterpart and engage with regulators as required.

Key Responsibilities:

Finance

• Coordinates and directs the financial, planning and budgeting activities of the branch under the direction of the Country Manager and the Regional CFO.
• Advises management on short-term and long-term financial objectives, policies, and actions.
• Provides direction and assistance to Department Heads regarding accounting and budgeting policies and procedures, and efficient control and utilization of financial resources.
• Supervises the local Finance and Accounting department of the Bank.

Tax

• Ensures that the Swiss organization meets its tax obligations, be it in terms of organisation, processes, tooling, reporting, and stemming either from laws and regulations it is subject to and/or ING policies.
• Supervises the Tax officer responsible to perform Customer Tax Integrity Assessments and issue advice as per FEC/KYC policies; to draft and implement tax procedures and policies.

Procurement

• Supervises the local Procurement function which assists Business Leaders in purchasing goods or services under the best conditions (quality/price) possible and ensures that the ING Bank Procurement Policy is adequately implemented.

Control

• Develops internal control policies, guidelines, and procedures for activities such as budget administration, financial accounting and reporting.
• Conducts ongoing monitoring of company accounts and financial transactions to ensure compliance with local legislation and IAS/IFRS.
• Responsible for the SOX environment.

Reporting

• Reviews monthly results and ensures the implementation of monthly variance reporting.
• Analyzes the financial details of past, present, and expected operations in order to identify development opportunities and areas where improvement is needed.
• Develops and maintains financial accounting systems and procedures.
• Develops and maintains local MIS in accordance with the requirements of the local management.
• Evaluates the need for new technology to meet the organization's financial data processing, control, and reporting requirements.
• Prepares financial statements, business activity reports, financial forecasts,

Managing and Developing staff

• Identify, develop and recruit staff talent to ensure effective succession to key roles and senior management positions and build people capabilities needed to deliver.
• Foster a culture focused on long term value creation, risk awareness, compliance with ING’s risk appetite, responsible and ethical behavior in line with “Orange Code” values (honest, prudent, responsible) and behaviors (you take it on and make it happen, you help others to be successful, you are always a step ahead), encouraging openness and accountability within ING and its subsidiaries.
• Monitors and evaluates the performance of Finance Department staff.
• Maintaining and updating of job descriptions in Finance Department.
• Identifying the training requirements and needs of Finance Department’s staff and ensuring these requirements are met.

Expertise/Background

• Finance higher certification (Master) and/or professional certifications such as Chartered Accountant /Accounting Expert (expert comptable).
• Broad background in the banking profession including at least 4 years in senior management roles, ideally within wholesale banking business line.
• Knowledge of Swiss regulatory accounting and tax environments as well as practices is a plus.
• Proficiency/Knowledge of Swiss GAAP is a plus.
• Strong on Financial Accounting (Swiss GAAP and IFRS), Management Accounting and controls.

Leadership

Strategic Thinking

• A strong commitment to ING’s purpose and strategy, and its implementation, able to provide a clear direction for the future that people understand and enables them to move forward.
• Able to identify and assess trends, conceptualize and incorporate complex market issues, make connections, create new insights and define strategies and plans.
• Strong cross organizational view and understanding to connect the dots and better understand and explain numbers.

Leading Change

• Strong on project and transformational leadership.

Driving Results

• Establishes ambitious, clear and focused goals to deliver priorities, takes accountability, pushing to meet or exceed goals.
• Able to drive rigorous execution and operational excellence, resolving issues and being decisive when needed, even under pressure.
• Capable of exercising “independence of mind”.

Leading People & Building capability

• Track record of leading people and developing capabilities.

Stakeholder Management

• The ability to engage with diverse stakeholder groups internally and externally and create strong, enduring partnerships. This capability includes collaboration, influencing and networking.
• Act as a strong partner and advisor to the Swiss Management team.

Other criteria:

• A role model of ING values (honest, prudent, responsible) and behaviours (you take it on and make it happen, you help others to be successful, you are always a step ahead).
• Self-aware, authentic and resilient– continually seeks accurate understanding of and insights into own strengths and weaknesses, emotions and motivations (maintaining composure under pressure), in order to work with others more effectively, to engage others and to drive/improve performance.
• Language skills: French (preferred) or German is a plus (as one of the national languages). English Fluent.