VP Finance

Job Description

Using your knowledge and experience you will provide financial leadership and strategic guidance, while establishing and building a future-proof, first-class finance function. All applicants for this exciting role will need to be a fully qualified accountant (with experience in a similar level role), used to working to tight deadlines in a fast-paced biotech/pharmaceutical industry.

Duties & Responsibilities

As VP of Finance (reporting to the Chief Executive Officer) you will: take responsibility and ownership of the finance function of the Company, maintaining strong financial controls and compliance; Understand the business strategy and work closely with the senior management team to support the preparation of budgets and cash-flow forecasts.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparation of monthly management accounts and commentary on financial performance on a monthly basis
• Monthly, quarterly, and annual accounting close procedures and VAT returns
• Responsible for the accounting operations for the Company (and subsidiaries) including payroll, tax matters for employees (resident and non-UK resident), accounts payable, general ledger, financial reconciliations, banking, share option schemes, and cash management.
• With the R&D Management team: contribute to business planning, forecasting and budgeting processes based on anticipated R&D work, and prepare the budgets and cashflow forecasts
• Working with the CEO on strategic activities, including longer term forecasting and budgets, the commercial structure of the company (new subsidiaries etc)
• Manage the annual compensation reviews and benefits programmes
• Assist with the preparation of due diligence information
• Planning and management of the annual audit process
• Project accounting to support corporate relationships and R&D tax credit claims
• Overall responsibility for the HR function and other various business and administrative matters including IT, property, insurances, risk management and treasury management
• Review of all legal contracts, liaison with external lawyers on commercial matters
• Board interaction including preparation and presentation of materials for G&A
• Overall responsibility for procurement including credit checking and discount negotiations.

Candidates must have the following skills, education and experience:

• Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA or equivalent) with knowledge and experience of IFRS
• Significant relevant finance and accounting experience including previous experience leading an accounting team
• Sound working knowledge of technical accounting, including prior experience of financial close activities
• Excellent interpersonal skills and professional skills
• Experience working in the biotech/pharmaceutical industry
• Knowledge and experience in handling financial systems
• Strong IT skills, particularly Excel
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• High levels of ethics and integrity
• Proactive with recommending process & systems improvements
• High level of professionalism with internal and external stakeholders
• Experience of venture capital / private equity backed businesses would be an advantage.

The ideal candidate is a collaborative team player with excellent organizational skills, strong business acumen, and proven managerial skills. They will be detail-oriented, with both the ambition and willingness to roll up their sleeves and dive into the details.