Chief Financial Officer

Company Overview :

A Bay Area biotechnology company developing next-generation optogenetic therapies for vision restoration is seeking a seasoned CFO with an eye on the future and experience including IPO-readiness and BD transactions.

This well-financed biotech has a leadership team with a proven track record of bringing life-changing therapies to market.

They are passionate about the technology and the broader role they play, addressing the unmet needs for patients with blindness and other degenerative retinal diseases.

Role Overview :

The CFO will be a strategic partner to the business, not just a financial overseer. They will work directly with the CEO, collaborating on strategic company-wide goals, and have the ability to act as a CBO, taking on multiple responsibilities across the business.

Supporting the CEO in investor meetings, board management, and external business development initiatives.

Responsibilities Include :

Financial Leadership :

Ability to support the CEO in fundraising activities, including parallel tracking M&A and IPO preparation and execution.

Manage the processes for financial forecasting, budgeting, and oversee the preparation of all financial reporting.

Manage the Accounting Department and steward efficient month-end closing activities, including general ledger maintenance, balance sheet, income statement, and reconciliations.

Identify opportunities for improvement, cost reduction, and systems enhancement appropriate to support a publicly traded company.

Provide insightful and trusted counsel to the CEO, management team, and investors on both financial and broad-based business issues related to the company’s overall performance.

Manage external relationships with tax preparers and maintain compliance with all tax regulations and public company audit standards.

Strategic Leadership :

Integrate well into the existing C-suite team and management culture, providing strategic insights and foresight in financial planning, as it relates to operations, clinical development plans, and potential expansion strategy.

Provide analysis of complex situations, including preparation of formal presentations to the company's CEO and Board of Directors.

Business Development Leadership :

Provide strategic guidance and execution of corporate partnerships, transactions, and business development activities.

Lead out-licensing and in-licensing initiatives to identify and nurture potential partners. Contribute to partnership discussion processes including direct ownership and oversight of due diligence, drafting and negotiating term sheets, working closely with the legal team on negotiating collaboration agreements, and collecting feedback from various internal stakeholders.

Qualifications and Requirements :

10+ years of senior financial leadership experience in the biotech industry; experience in cell / gene therapy is highly preferred but not necessary.

2+ years in the role of CFO or VP of Finance for a publicly traded company.

Strong scientific / technical understanding enabling rich integration and relationship with R&D efforts.

IPO preparation and execution experience is required.

Strategic thinking with an entrepreneurial "hunger"

Local presence in the Bay Area / 3 days a week in the office

Must have solid experience executing a long-range capital acquisition strategy in the biopharma industry

Must have managed the financials and capital structures of a biotech company

Experience working in or with an SEC-registered company is preferred

Extensive experience working with auditors and preparing 10-Q and 10-K disclosure filings is preferred

Strong background in finance and strategy (Investment Banking, Consulting, Corporate Development, VC / PE or FP&A is preferred

Solid understanding of GAAP

Bachelor's Degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or related is required

CFA, CPA, MBA, or a related postgraduate business degree is preferred