Senior Manager, R&D Finance

Job description

**This position is listed on behalf of a partner company, who manages all applications and next steps. Our partner is looking for a Senior Manager, R&D Finance based in the United States.** We are seeking a strategic and analytical finance professional to support financial planning, portfolio evaluation, and investment decision-making within a global research and development environment. In this role, you will lead critical financial processes, including forecasting, budgeting, monthly close, consolidation, and executive reporting, ensuring leadership has the insights needed to make informed decisions. You will partner closely with Research and Development, Commercial, Finance, and executive stakeholders to evaluate pipeline investments and assess the financial implications of key development milestones. By combining advanced financial modeling with an understanding of scientific and clinical development processes, you will help optimize resource allocation and support long-term business priorities. You will also drive continuous improvement through reporting automation, modern financial technologies, and enhanced analytical tools. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to strategic financial decisions in a dynamic life sciences environment focused on advancing innovative treatments and improving patient outcomes. ### Accountabilities - Lead quarterly forecasting, monthly financial reporting, and consolidation processes for global Research and Development activities, ensuring accurate financial roll-ups, timely submissions, and clear variance explanations. - Coordinate financial inputs from multiple functions and development programs to provide a consolidated view of R&D spending, commitments, and projected financial performance. - Prepare executive-ready financial reporting packages, budget-versus-actual analyses, variance commentary, and risk and opportunity assessments to support leadership reviews and strategic decisions. - Support global R&D budgeting, financial planning, and long-range planning activities, aligning financial projections with business priorities and development objectives. - Conduct sophisticated financial analyses and pipeline valuations to assess investment opportunities, evaluate development programs, and inform portfolio prioritization. - Develop financial models, scenario analyses, and risk-adjusted valuation frameworks to support decisions regarding pipeline investments, project transitions, and resource allocation. - Collaborate with R&D, Commercial, Finance, and other cross-functional stakeholders to deliver actionable financial insights and support governance forums and investment reviews. - Translate complex scientific, operational, and financial information into clear recommendations that enable executive leadership to assess trade-offs and make informed decisions. - Maintain and enhance financial models, reporting dashboards, tracking templates, and analytical tools to improve transparency and visibility into R&D expenditures and portfolio performance. - Identify and implement process improvements through reporting automation, standardized workflows, and modern financial technologies, including AI-enabled tools where appropriate. - Ensure the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of financial data and reporting outputs while strengthening controls and improving the efficiency of core FP&A processes. - Manage multiple financial planning and analytical priorities with strong accountability, sound business judgment, and a continuous-improvement mindset. ## Requirements - Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Life Sciences, or a related field. - At least seven years of overall professional experience, including six or more years of progressively responsible financial planning and analysis (FP&A) or finance experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, or the life sciences industry. - Significant experience supporting global R&D organizations, with a strong understanding of research, clinical development, and pharmaceutical development processes. - Demonstrated expertise in managing R&D or clinical development budgets, monthly financial close activities, global financial consolidation, and executive reporting. - Strong experience leading or supporting core FP&A processes, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, financial modeling, and long-range financial planning. - Proven expertise in pipeline valuation, portfolio analytics, scenario modeling, and risk-adjusted financial decision-making to support investment prioritization and development strategy. - Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize complex scientific, operational, and financial data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership. - Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with a demonstrated ability to build trusted partnerships across R&D, Commercial, Finance, and other business functions. - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint, including the ability to develop sophisticated financial models and communicate findings effectively through executive presentations. - Hands-on experience with enterprise financial planning and analytics tools, such as SAP, TM1, Anaplan, Hyperion, Power BI, or Tableau. - Demonstrated experience using automation or AI-enabled tools to improve financial processes, reporting efficiency, and analytical capabilities. Programming skills and experience implementing AI-driven automation are preferred. - Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities, deliver accurate outputs within deadlines, and maintain a high standard of financial rigor. - Sound business judgment, initiative, adaptability, attention to detail, and a commitment to continuous learning and process improvement. - Ability to work effectively in a global, cross-functional environment, communicating complex financial concepts clearly and influencing decisions without relying solely on formal authority. - An MBA, Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, or another relevant advanced qualification is preferred but not required. - No travel is required for this position. ## Benefits - **Competitive annual base salary:** Ranging from $133,000 to $178,000, depending on relevant experience, qualifications, skills, and work location. - **Performance-based compensation:** Eligibility for an annual bonus or applicable incentive compensation plan, subject to the relevant program terms. - **Equity opportunities:** Eligibility for discretionary stock awards and voluntary participation in an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. - **Comprehensive healthcare coverage:** Medical, dental, and vision insurance options. - **Retirement savings:** Access to a 401(k) retirement savings plan. - **Flexible savings options:** Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) and Health Savings Accounts (HSA), subject to plan eligibility. - **Financial protection:** Life insurance benefits. - **Paid time off:** Paid leave to support personal commitments, rest, and work-life balance. - **Wellness programs:** Resources and initiatives designed to support employee well-being. - **Remote work flexibility:** U.S.-based remote position with no travel requirements. - **Strategic business exposure:** Opportunities to work closely with senior finance leaders and cross-functional stakeholders on financial planning, portfolio valuation, and investment decisions. - **Professional development:** The opportunity to strengthen expertise in R&D finance, financial automation, advanced analytics, and strategic portfolio management within the life sciences sector. - **Purpose-driven impact:** Contribute to financial decisions that support research and development investments and the advancement of innovative treatments.