Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)

The Head of FP&A is a senior, hands-on finance leader in a private equity–backed pharmaceutical/biotech environment, responsible for leading enterprise-wide budgeting, forecasting, and ad-hoc financial analysis and delivers insightful financial reporting (including MD&A) to key stakeholders. Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Head of FP&A is expected functioning as a self-sufficient leader who knows what’s needed and how to deliver it with a focus on outcomes and solutions. The Head of FP&A will partner across all areas of the business, and will routinely interface with the company’s private equity investors, to ensure disciplined financial execution, transparency, and accountability. This is a high impact position that will be critical to aligning strategy, operational plans, and capital allocation in a period of growth, transformation, and value creation. It’s an ideal opportunity for a high-performing finance executive who is ready to step up to broader strategic responsibilities in a fast-paced, results-driven setting.

Responsibilities

• Financial Leadership & Strategic Planning (PE-Backed Environment): Own and lead company-wide budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning processes within a PE-backed biotech company context. Partner with executive leadership to deliver high-quality financial reporting, analysis, and forward-looking insights that meet investor expectations. Support strategic initiatives, cash management, and scenario planning aligned with value-creation goals on the timelines expected.
• Clinical Development Finance & Project Tracking: Build and manage detailed clinical trial budgets, forecasts, and cash flow models across multiple programs and phases. Track R&D and clinical spend against enrollment plans, milestones, and timelines; proactively identify variances, risks, and trade-offs to keep programs on track. Establish strong financial governance for CROs, vendors, and trial-level spend within a disciplined, investor driven operating model. Provide scenario modeling and ROI analysis to inform portfolio prioritization, go/no go decisions, and capital allocation for pipeline projects.
• Business Reporting & Analytics: Lead robust monthly and quarterly performance reporting. Deliver clear, concise variance analyses and driver-based explanations for results across all functional areas. Design and implement standardized dashboards and BI reports that provide transparency to senior leadership and PE investors, enabling data-driven decisions and timely course corrections.
• Investment, Capital Allocation & Value Creation: Develop and maintain complex financial models to evaluate potential investments, new programs, partnerships, and M&A opportunities. Support due diligence and integration efforts by providing insightful financial analysis and forecasting. Ensure disciplined capital allocation in line with private equity return expectations and long-term value creation priorities. Continuously analyze opportunities for cost optimization and strategic investment to drive enterprise value.
• Process Improvement, Systems & Infrastructure: Design and continuously improve finance processes, controls, and systems to support a scaling organization under investor scrutiny. Drive automation and integration of tools (ERP, FP&A platforms, BI systems) to achieve real-time visibility and efficiency in reporting. Strengthen data integrity and infrastructure to improve decision-making. Implement best practices that streamline workflows and maintain compliance, positioning the finance function to support rapid growth.
• Leadership & Ownership: Operate with full ownership and accountability in a lean, high-expectation environment. Serve as a trusted finance advisor to the CEO, CFO, and other executives, contributing strategic financial insight in leadership discussions. Build strong cross-functional partnerships across the organization – from the R&D and clinical operations to our contract manufacturing, commercial, and functional departments – establishing credibility through expertise, responsiveness, and results. Set and uphold high standards for accuracy, timeliness, and transparency in all financial deliverables. Drive a culture of ownership, solutions, and continuous improvement, where the finance team is seen as proactive problem-solvers focused on enabling growth and operational excellence.

Requirements

• Education & Credentials: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business or related field required; MBA, CFA, or other advanced credentials required.
• Experience: 12+ years of progressive finance experience, including significant leadership responsibility in FP&A or similar functions. Hands-on experience in a private equity–backed biotechnology or pharmaceutical organization is required. Experience supporting clinical development programs, including project-based budgeting and spend tracking preferred.
• Technical Skills: Exceptional financial modeling and analytical skills, with a proven ability to turn complex data into actionable insights. Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, and executive-level financial reporting (including board and investor reporting). Advanced proficiency with financial systems and software (e.g., NetSuite, enterprise planning tools, Excel/Power BI) and the ability to drive system improvements.
• Business Acumen: Demonstrated success operating in fast-paced, investor-driven environments with high accountability. Experience collaborating directly with C-suite leaders and private equity sponsors, with the savvy to present and defend financial plans and results. Knowledge of biotech/pharma R&D lifecycles and the financial implications of clinical development is strongly preferred.

Personal Attributes

• Ownership & Self-Sufficiency: A self-directed leader who runs the finance function independently and confidently. Takes accountability for outcomes and consistently “owns” the results.
• Results & Solutions Orientation: Unwavering focus on output quality and deadline attainment. Known for delivering high-quality work on time, every time. Proactively finds solutions to complex challenges and navigates obstacles with creativity and determination.
• Clinical & Financial Fluency: Able to speak the language of both science and finance – connects clinical trial progress and operational metrics to financial performance and capital needs. Comfortable diving into the details of clinical operations to understand and influence outcomes in financial terms.
• Grit & Resilience: Remains steady and effective in the face of ambiguity, evolving priorities, and aggressive growth targets. Demonstrates perseverance and a positive approach when tackling tough problems or setbacks.
• Judgment & Pace: Makes sound, data-informed decisions quickly to keep pace with the business. Balances strategic thinking with tactical execution, knowing when to dive deep and when to delegate. Exhibits excellent judgment under pressure, maintaining a sharp focus on both risk management and opportunities for growth.

Benefits

This role offers a unique chance to make an outsized impact in a growth-stage, PE-backed company. If you have the vision, drive, and expertise and are interested in shaping the financial strategy and business outcomes at the highest level, this is the role!

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Opportunities for professional development and career growth.
• Collaborative and innovative work environment.

Disclaimer:

The included statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.