Director, Financial Planning & Analysis, R&D
Cambridge, MA
G&A – Finance /
Full-Time /
On-site
Scholar Rock is a biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and delivers life-changing therapies for people with serious diseases that have high unmet need. As a global leader in the biology of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily of cell proteins and named for the visual resemblance of a scholar rock to protein structures, the clinical-stage company is focused on advancing innovative treatments where protein growth factors are fundamental. Over the past decade, the company has created a pipeline with the potential to advance the standard of care for neuromuscular disease, cardiometabolic disorders, cancer, and other conditions where growth factor-targeted drugs can play a transformational role.
Scholar Rock is the only company to show clinical proof of concept for a muscle-targeted treatment in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). This commitment to unlocking fundamentally different therapeutic approaches is powered by broad application of a proprietary platform, which has developed novel monoclonal antibodies to modulate protein growth factors with extraordinary selectivity. By harnessing cutting-edge science in disease spaces that are historically under-addressed through traditional therapies, Scholar Rock works every day to create new possibilities for patients. Learn more about the company’s approach at ScholarRock.com and follow @ScholarRock and on LinkedIn.
Summary of Position:
Reporting to the Sr. Director, FP&A, the Director of FP&A R&D will have responsibility for supporting R&D and pipeline programs at Scholar Rock. The successful candidate will have a proven track record with planning and executing against financial objectives in collaboration with internal functional stakeholders. They will also be a strategic partner in framing, evaluating, and driving decision making to maximize value creation. It will involve clear communication, organization and a great sense of teamwork. This position represents a great opportunity to help build a critical cross-functional capability at a growing and evolving, multi-product candidate biotechnology company.
Position Responsibilities:
- Serve as the primary finance partner for R&D leadership, Program Management, Clinical Development, Research and Regulatory
- Support for all FP&A activities including budgeting/forecasting, long-range planning, scenario modeling and financial analysis for strategic initiatives
- Coordinate with accounting on month-end and quarterly close tasks, procure-to-pay processes, preparation of quarterly schedules, and support of external reporting and related audit inquiries
- Develop timely analysis of monthly budget-to-actuals including variance analyses, generation and reporting of results
- Strive for continuous improvement of FP&A processes, with the goal of improving efficiency while maintaining flexibility to adapt to future business needs
- Develop and deliver training initiatives and provide support for change management activities to ensure adoption of new FP&A tools, systems and mindsets across the organization
- Support ad-hoc strategic initiatives as capabilities are demonstrated and opportunities arise; potential initiatives include but are not limited to: business development analyses, partner support, portfolio prioritization, and financing strategies
Candidate Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree with 8+ years of progressive finance experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment
- Advanced degree in science and/or business preferred
- Prior experience supporting R&D functions and/or programs in a cross-functional environment
- Excellent presentation skills to deliver information effectively across all levels of the organization
- Strong partnering and communication skills with the ability to distill financial information into a concise and actionable message
- Proficiency with Excel in order to conduct complex analysis that will support key decisions
- Knowledge of fundamental accounting principles
- Understanding of the drug development process, from early research through product launch
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage multiple projects at one time
- Experience with Adaptive Insights and/or SAP considered an asset
Scholar Rock is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.