Director, FP&A - R&D

Job Title: Director, FP&A - R&D

Interview Process: Video and in-person

Job Location: Boston

Hybrid - 3 days a week in office/ 2 days remote

Industry/Company Size: Global, $11 Billion in revenue, publicly held biotech company

Must Haves:

Experience as a finance business partner supporting R&D at the Director level

Larger company experience either present or past

Biotech/pharma industry experience

Pluses:

Supervisory experience (will manage a team of two, a Senior Manager and Analyst)

As the Director of FP&A - R&D Portfolio, you will report to the VP of R&D Finance, managing a team of two located onsite at our Boston, MA office. This is a new role in which you will help shape the portfolio analysis organization, processes and outcomes to drive value to our business. A key player in financial planning and analysis within our function, you will be responsible for:

• Leading the long range and annual budgeting and forecasting processes for the R&D portfolio, helping to optimize resource allocation to ensure sustainable growth
• Partnering with cross-functional teams to evaluate investment opportunities, and manage business and regulatory risks to ensure company’s investments align with strategic priorities and deliver maximum value
• Providing valuable business and portfolio insights to the R&D Executive Committee (RDC) and C-Suite leaders based on your analytical skills
• Embracing key attributes in technological innovation, governance and processes to enhance operational efficiency

This role is for you if you possess strong decision support analytical skills, project management expertise, team management skills, and demonstrated ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and deliver successful product and project outcomes.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

As Director of FP&A - R&D Portfolio, your key contributions will be the following:

Strategic Financial Planning and Analysis:

• Lead the short- and long-term financial performance management process for the R&D portfolio (including target setting, budget vs actual analytics, monthly operating reviews, reforecasts, forecast accuracy).
• Design, optimize and implement financial models to evaluate project investments, track performance, and prioritize initiatives within the R&D portfolio.
• Collaborate with R&D Finance, CMC/Manufacturing Finance and Program Management teams to maintain accurate and up-to-date R&D budgets, forecasts, and timelines.

Portfolio Management and Insights:

• Conduct portfolio-level financial reviews to identify risks, opportunities, and resource allocation priorities and opportunities.
• Conduct analysis to yield data-driven insights across the R&D portfolio to inform senior-level and cross-functional decision-making.
• Provide comprehensive functional scenario analysis and ROI assessments to guide investment decisions.
• Partner with the VP of R&D Finance to evaluate trade-offs and ensure alignment of the portfolio with strategic goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and Decision Support:

• Prepare and deliver regular financial updates, including budget vs. actuals, trend analyses, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for the RDC and for the CFO Organization.
• Create executive-level presentations to communicate R&D portfolio performance, strategic business insights, and financial recommendations.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to R&D Finance and CMC/Manufacturing Finance teams, providing actionable insights and data-driven decision support in the context of the portfolio.

Process Improvement and Automation:

• Lead and/or support the enhancement of FP&A tools (including go-live of our ERP and associated follow-on predictive analytics capabilities), processes, and systems or tools to guide R&D financial planning and portfolio tracking.
• Identify and implement best practices to drive efficiency, transparency, and accuracy in financial operations.

Team Leadership:

• Build and mentor a high-performing FP&A Portfolio team, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to strengthen integration between FP&A, R&D, and other relevant departments.

Basic Requirements:

• MBA or similar advanced degree.
• 10 years of experience in FP&A, portfolio management, or related roles preferably within the biotech, pharma, or life sciences industry.
• Strong understanding of R&D processes, portfolio management, and project evaluation methodologies.
• Expertise in financial modeling, portfolio analysis and strategic planning.
• Proven ability to manage complex budgets, forecasts, and analyses in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels and a proven ability to present complex financial insights to senior stakeholders.
• Demonstrated success in leading process improvement and automation initiatives.
• Expertise with Excel and PowerPoint; Working knowledge of Hyperion or similar enterprise planning tools.