Position Overview:
Our client, a growing, privately held biotechnology company, is seeking an experienced and hands-on Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to lead its financial operations and support its continued growth.
This is a highly operational leadership role requiring an individual who can oversee the company's day-to-day financial functions while building the infrastructure, processes, and controls necessary to support a growing organization. The CFO will have direct oversight of Accounting, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash management, and financial systems.
The ideal candidate will bring a strong foundation in accounting and finance, direct experience within the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry, and a proven ability to improve financial processes and drive operational efficiencies. This individual must be comfortable working both strategically and tactically, partnering closely with executive leadership while remaining actively involved in the company's financial operations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Oversee all financial operations, including Accounting, FP&A, financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury, and cash flow management.
- Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual financial close processes, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting in accordance with GAAP.
- Drive the company's budgeting and forecasting processes, developing comprehensive financial plans, analyzing performance against projections, and identifying opportunities to improve profitability and operational efficiency.
- Establish and strengthen financial processes, policies, and internal controls to improve reporting accuracy, operational efficiency, and financial accountability across the organization.
- Oversee financial reporting and analysis, providing executive leadership with meaningful insights into financial performance, key business drivers, risks, and opportunities.
- Manage cash flow, liquidity, and working capital, ensuring the company maintains appropriate financial resources to support ongoing operations and future growth initiatives.
- Lead and develop the Accounting and FP&A teams, providing hands-on leadership, mentorship, and guidance while establishing clear expectations and accountability.
- Evaluate and optimize financial systems and technology, identifying opportunities to automate processes, improve data integrity, streamline workflows, and enhance reporting capabilities.
- Partner closely with the CEO and executive leadership team to translate business objectives into financial and operational plans that support the company's strategic priorities.
- Support mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic transactions, including financial due diligence, transaction analysis, post-acquisition integration, and the alignment of financial systems, processes, and reporting.
- Oversee financial compliance, audit readiness, and external reporting requirements, serving as the primary point of contact for external auditors, tax advisors, and other financial partners.
- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure financial and operational performance, identify trends, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Build scalable financial infrastructure capable of supporting continued business expansion, increasing operational complexity, and evolving organizational needs.
- Collaborate cross-functionally with department leaders to improve financial visibility, manage costs, allocate resources effectively, and ensure alignment between financial objectives and business operations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field required. MBA or other advanced degree preferred.
- CPA strongly preferred, with a solid foundation in accounting principles, financial reporting, and internal controls.
- 15+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience, including significant leadership experience as a CFO, VP of Finance, Corporate Controller, or similar senior financial executive.
- Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or life sciences industry experience required, with a strong understanding of the financial and operational complexities of these industries.
- Proven experience leading financial operations, including accounting, financial close, FP&A, budgeting, forecasting, financial reporting, and cash management.
- Strong technical accounting background, with a comprehensive understanding of US GAAP, financial controls, audit processes, and regulatory compliance.
- Demonstrated success building, improving, and scaling financial processes, systems, and infrastructure within a growing or evolving organization.
- Experience in privately held, private equity-backed, venture capital-backed, or other high-growth companies preferred.
- Experience supporting M&A transactions, including due diligence, financial integration, and post-acquisition process improvements, is a plus.
- Strong financial systems and ERP experience, including a track record of implementing, optimizing, or upgrading accounting and financial reporting platforms.
- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing finance and accounting teams, with a hands-on management style and strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex financial information into actionable business insights.
- Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment, balancing high-level financial leadership with direct involvement in day-to-day operations.
