Finance Lead - Global functions (SG&A & R&D)

Finance Lead - Global functions (SG&A & R&D) 

Location: Hyderabad, India

Role Summary

We are seeking a highly skilled and forward-thinking Finance Lead - Global functions (SG&A & R&D) to drive excellence in cost management, transparency, and operational efficiency across the Business Platforms. This role focuses on end-to-end cost controlling, ensuring robust governance, accurate reporting, and insightful analysis to support strategic decision-making. You will lead a team of cost controllers and act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders globally, driving alignment, financial discipline, and data-driven decisions. This is a critical global role with responsibility across multiple sites, requiring strong business partnering and influencing capabilities.

Work Model

Office-First Role
This is an office-first role. Working together in person supports close, real-time collaboration and team alignment, enabling us to deliver our best work. You will work primarily in the office, with the flexibility to work remotely for 20% of your time (one day per week).

What You Will Get

• An agile career and dynamic working culture with global exposure across Business Platforms

• An inclusive and ethical workplace that fosters collaboration, accountability, and innovation

• Opportunities to partner with senior leadership and influence strategic financial decisions

• A strong focus on digital transformation, automation, and advanced analytics in finance

• Competitive compensation programs that recognize high performance

• A variety of benefits dependent on role and location

The full list of our global benefits can be found here: https://www.lonza.com/careers/benefits.

What You Will Do

• Act as the primary finance business partner to Platform Leadership, providing strategic guidance on cost performance, SG&A & R&D Costs insights, and financial planning across global sites

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of cost controllers, driving high-quality outputs, strong governance, and continuous capability building

• Own and lead the end-to-end SG&A & R&D Costs process, ensuring consistency, transparency, and comparability across all Business Platforms

• Translate SG&A & R&D Costs outputs into clear, actionable management insights by analyzing cost drivers, FTE movements, project spend, and performance trends

• Drive global cost controlling governance, ensuring compliance with Group financial policies and strengthening standardized methodologies and reporting frameworks

• Lead financial planning processes including Outlooks, Target setting, and long-term planning, ensuring alignment with business strategy and Group expectations

• Partner closely with FP&A and senior stakeholders to challenge assumptions, assess scenarios, and influence strategic decision-making

• Drive simplification, standardization, and automation of cost controlling processes to improve efficiency, scalability, and data accuracy

• Lead digitalization initiatives by implementing advanced analytics, reporting tools, and AI-driven solutions to enhance insights and reduce manual effort

• Provide ad-hoc strategic analysis and contribute to cost optimization initiatives and transformation programs across the organization

What We Are Looking For

• 7–10 years of experience in cost controlling, cost accounting, FP&A, or finance roles within a complex, international environment

• Strong expertise in cost controlling, overhead management, and financial governance, including SG&A & R&D Costs processes and cost transparency frameworks

• Proven ability to partner with and influence senior global stakeholders, with strong business acumen and excellent communication skills

• Demonstrated leadership experience with a strong track record of managing, mentoring, and developing high-performing teams

• Advanced analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights and recommendations

• Strong experience in financial planning processes including budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning

• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial systems (SAP preferred), along with experience in reporting and analytics tools

• Passion for digitalization, automation, and modern finance technologies, with experience driving process improvements and data-driven culture

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field; CMA, CPA, or equivalent certifications are an advantage

• Highly resilient, adaptable, and detail-oriented, with a strong commitment to accuracy, governance, and continuous improvement

About Lonza

At Lonza, our people are our greatest strength. With 30+ sites across five continents, our globally connected teams work together every day to manufacture the medicines of tomorrow. Our core values of Collaboration, Accountability, Excellence, Passion and Integrity reflect who we are and how we work together. Everyone’s ideas, big or small, have the potential to improve millions of lives, and that’s the kind of work we want you to be part of.

Innovation thrives when people from all backgrounds bring their unique perspectives to the table. At Lonza, we value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. If you’re ready to help turn our customers’ breakthrough ideas into viable therapies, we look forward to welcoming you on board.

Ready to shape the future of life sciences? Apply now.