Director, Korea Country Finance Head

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Location:

Bundang,KOR

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

Role Summary

Lead Korea Controllership as the senior Accounting head and serve as the Korea Finance single point of contact representing Accounting/Controllership, Finance COE, and FP&A. Execute global finance strategy locally,
act as a strategic advisor to other Korea finance functions (Tax, FP&A, COE), and participate as a key member of the Korea Leadership Team. Drive finance modernization and AI adoption to elevate decision support, governance, and operating efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

Country Finance Leadership and Governance

• Set the overall controllership agenda for Korea, ensuring strong financial stewardship, governance, and transparency.
• Act as Korea Finance SPOC to global/corporate stakeholders to align priorities, consolidate messaging, and drive delivery of country finance commitments.
• Establish and maintain a scalable finance operating model across teams to support business growth and changing requirements.
   

Financial Close, Reporting and Statutory Compliance Oversight

• Own Korea’s financial close and reporting outcomes (monthly/quarterly/year-end) with focus on timeliness, accuracy, and quality of insights.
• Provide executive oversight of statutory reporting under K-GAAP and required regulatory disclosures/filings (including FSS where applicable).
• Ensure consistent application of corporate accounting policies while meeting local statutory and regulatory requirements.
• Drive finance modernization and AI adoption to elevate decision support, governance, and operating efficiency.
   

Technical Accounting and Accounting Policy Leadership

• Serve as the escalation point for complex or non-routine accounting matters; direct resolution and documentation of key judgments.
• Lead accounting policy interpretation and governance; sponsor updates for new standards and ensure effective local implementation.
• Provide advisory oversight for significant contracts and strategic transactions to ensure appropriate accounting treatment and compliance.
   

Controls, Risk Management and Compliance (K-SOX/US-SOX)

• Own Korea’s internal control environment and compliance posture, including governance, remediation strategy, and sustainable control design.
• Proactively identify reporting and disclosure risks; drive cross-functional mitigation and decision-making with appropriate governance.
• Sponsor control and process modernization to improve auditability and reduce operational risk.
   

Audit, External Stakeholders and Assurance Management

• Lead the external audit relationship and overall audit strategy for Korea; ensure timely issue resolution and high-quality engagement.
• Oversee readiness and coordination for internal/external audits, including tax/customs audits as applicable.
• Ensure strong documentation standards and evidence quality to maintain controllership credibility with internal and external stakeholders.
   

Strategic Partnering and Decision Advisory Across Korea Finance

• Act as a trusted advisor to Tax, FP&A, and Finance COE leadership by providing controllership perspectives on financial/reporting impacts, risk trade-offs, and governance requirements.
• Enable alignment across finance functions to support enterprise priorities (growth, margin, cash, and risk) in Korea.
   

Global Strategy Execution and Finance Transformation (including AI)

• Translate global finance strategy into Korea execution plans and measurable deliverables across Accounting/COE/FP&A.
• Sponsor finance transformation initiatives (process, systems, automation) to improve speed, quality, and scalability of finance operations.
• Drive Finance AI adoption with appropriate governance (security, accuracy, auditability), targeting improved close efficiency, enhanced analytics, and better management reporting.
   

Leadership Team Contribution and Stakeholder Influence

• Participate in the Korea Leadership Team and contribute to major country decisions (investment, cost, growth, risk).
• Provide clear, data-driven recommendations and communicate complex finance topics to senior stakeholders with confidence and influence.
   

People Leadership

• Lead and develop the Korea controllership organization (6 direct reports including 1 Finance Accounting Manager), setting direction, building capability, and fostering a high-performance culture.
• Build strong cross-functional collaboration across finance and business teams to deliver outcomes through change.
   

Qualifications

• CPA (or equivalent professional accounting qualification) preferred.
• Strong K-GAAP and senior controllership experience; ability to operate in a global reporting environment (US GAAP interface preferred).
• Proven leadership in governance, internal controls (K-SOX/US-SOX), audits, and complex accounting judgment.
• Industry experience preferred: semiconductor, high-tech, manufacturing, and/or services business environments.
• Broad finance exposure preferred across multiple domains such as trade, tax, FP&A, and Finance COE; strong track record as a strategic partner and advisor.
• Demonstrated experience driving AI adoption and leading cross-functional finance transformation projects (process, systems, automation/analytics) with measurable outcomes.
• Executive-level communication and influencing skills; ability to lead effectively in ambiguous situations.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.