Associate Director - Controller, Pension and Investments, U.S. Plans

Role Summary

The Associate Director - Controller is responsible for leading the fiduciary, controllership, and regulatory compliance management of the ~$32 billion of benefit plan assets. This role serves as the primary controller for all benefit plan trusts and owns the financial operations, regulatory reporting, audit coordination, and compliance activities. The position requires financial and regulatory analysis, ERISA compliance expertise, coordination with internal and external partners, and ensuring maintenance of robust controls and documentation.

Reports to the Senior Director - Investments & OCIO Oversight.

• Manage relationships with EY, Plante Moran, Northern Trust, and other key service providers, including all contracts
• Oversee quality, timeliness, fee arrangements, and relationship strategy with key vendors
• Facilitate negotiations, benchmarking, and RFPs as needed
• Drive process improvements and leverage relationships to ensure best practices, in particular on-going integration with GSAM processes to drive efficiencies
• Review and approve daily transactions including vendor payments, plan expenses, retiree payroll funding, and Company 401(k) monthly match coordination with trustees and external partners
• Review and approve account reconciliations, journal entries, and journal voucher logs
• Manage operations support for information requests from internal and external partners
• Manage payment of PBGC premiums and related annual filings in coordination with Aon and HR
• Ensure maintenance of all required regulatory documents and fiduciary records
• Lead VEBA I Trust company contribution and reimbursement process and balance sheet forecasting for Corporate Financial Reporting
• Coordinate retiree health plan reimbursement to the company
• Identify opportunities for operational improvements, outsourcing, and cost reductions across the plans
• Manage compilation of benefit plan financial statements through outsourced accounting firm
• Manage completion of benefit plan audits for U.S. and Puerto Rico Retirement Plans, U.S. and Puerto Rico Savings Plans, Lilly Employee Welfare Plan, and Lilly Retiree Health Plan
• Oversee Form 11-K SEC filing for U.S. and Puerto Rico Savings Plans
• Lead completion of Department of Labor Form 5500 filings and IRS Form 8955-SSA filings, ensuring timely completion by statutory due dates
• Monitor new accounting pronouncements and regulations for impact on benefit plan disclosures and filings
• Coordinate responses to Department of Labor audits as needed
• Lead review and preparation of audit procedures for Alternative Investments driven by CAM assessments
• Coordinate tax-related filings and compliance with third-party tax provider and trustee/custodian
• Support SOx related activities for PBI in coordination with Payroll, HR, and Corporate Financial Reporting
• Support disclosures in the Company's 10-K Retirement Benefits footnote and year-end asset leveling process
• Manage responses to Corporate Audit Services' and EY's audit requests; create reporting for annual corporate year-end audit
• Support key financial control and reporting processes including SOx compliance and external audits
• Lead annual collection and review of affiliate pension data for compliance with Lilly Financial Policy 2L
• Lead compliance and operational aspects for Savings Plan Master Trust
• Review monthly disbursement reconciliation between custodian and administrator
• Analyze and recommend annual accrual settings and prepare required disclosures
• Prepare annual fiduciary review process for benefit plan oversight committee
• Coordinate gathering and organizing cost and performance data for benchmarking analysis
• Provide annual historical cost analysis for the trusts and present to management and oversight committee

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or MBA/MS with Finance/Accounting focus
• Minimum 5-7 years of collective experience in accounting or finance
• Legal authorization to work in the United States; visa sponsorship not anticipated
• CPA strongly preferred
• Strong corporate finance/accounting analytical skills and inquisitive mindset
• Direct controllership experience in a previous role
• Deep understanding of GAAP standards, ERISA regulations, and benefit plan compliance
• Strong project management skills to develop detailed plans, direct internal resources, manage costs/risks, and communicate plans
• Process owner/problem solver with experience driving productivity and sustainable practices
• Flexibility and teamwork orientation to adapt to changing priorities
• Strong communication, relationship, and teamwork skills
• Learning agility to interpret new accounting and regulatory pronouncements
• Third-party relationship management, due diligence, negotiation, and contracting experience
• Knowledge of benefit plans, trustee/custodian management, fiduciary/regulatory/tax issues
• Familiarity with actuarial concepts and fiduciary governance
• Actuarial or investment certifications (CFA, CAIA, or EA) are a plus
• Proficiency in Excel, Microsoft Office, and SAP
• Experience…