Sr Director, FP&A (R&D)

Overview

The organization is seeking a Senior Director of R&D FP&A to build decision support capabilities that enable efficient operations and effective capital allocation across R&D and Operations. This role will also contribute to the development of financial and corporate strategy, with a focus on Research & Development and Operations (R&D and Ops). Finance will serve as the lead for R&D and Operations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Building the annual budget and short-range forecasts for R&D and Operations
• Supporting the long-range plan (LRP) as it relates to programs
• Producing monthly and quarterly close analysis and reporting

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong cross-functional business partnerships to budget/forecast and track activities by embedding finance into decision-making.
• Lead annual budget and quarterly forecasting processes for R&D & Operations in partnership with Program Team Leads (PTLs).
• Develop and deliver monthly internal financial management reporting packages, including variance analysis of actuals to budget; investigate major discrepancies and articulate key business drivers.
• Drive strategic planning for the R&D and Operations portion of the annual long-range plan (LRP) exercise to support investment decisions across a portfolio of internal programs and opportunities.
• Provide proactive financial direction to key stakeholders, supported by robust financial analysis and clear delivery of insights.
• Support clinical trial accruals, including review of Contract Research Organization (CRO) reports, patient costs, and site payments.
• Review clinical and supply chain contracts and amendments to analyze and determine financial impacts.
• Support ad hoc analyses and special projects with timely and accurate financial insights.
• Drive process improvements and efficiencies in financial planning, financial analysis, and production of reporting packages.
• Hire, coach, and mentor direct reports and adjacent team members, promoting high engagement, high performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Present financial analysis and strategic insights to the Executive Team to support decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting
• 12+ years of progressive financial planning and analysis experience, including significant time within publicly traded life sciences companies
• Hands-on experience with clinical trial forecasting, modeling, and the R&D forecast and accruals process, including late-stage (Phase 3) programs
• In-house experience owning budget and forecasting processes and partnering directly with the business
• Track record of collaboration, stakeholder relationship management, and influencing key decision-makers, including confidence to challenge and advise VP- and C-level leaders

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA or MBA
• 15+ years of FP&A experience
• Pharmaceutical industry experience with late stage clinical trial experience strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of GAAP
• Experience with Adaptive Insights / Adaptive Planning (Workday) or a comparable planning tool (e.g., Anaplan, Hyperion), and with NetSuite
• Experience scaling finance processes within a rapidly growing biotech company
• Global or international exposure

Compensation & Benefits

• Expected base pay range: $226,500 - $317,100 plus bonus, stock equity, and comprehensive benefits.
• Individual pay will be determined by job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.
• Benefits include health, dental and vision insurance.
• Paid time off includes vacation, holidays, and personal days.

Location

• Irvine office (hybrid work environment; remote work is an option)
• Some travel may be required—up to 25%

Additional Information

• This position reports directly to the VP, Finance.
• Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.