Finance & Business Operations Lead

We’re seeking an experienced and highly analytical Finance & Business Operations leader to play a key strategic and operational role within our growing team. This role sits at the intersection of financial planning, operational execution, and strategic partnership, serving as the connective tissue between our scientific, operational, and corporate functions. You’ll own FP&A, lead core business operations, and manage critical partnerships across finance, HR, legal, and IP. This is a rare opportunity to help shape the foundation of a fast-growing biotech, translating plans into financial insight, building scalable processes, and ensuring the company operates with clarity, discipline, and foresight.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead annual and quarterly budgeting cycles; drive development, consolidation, and alignment across teams.
• Report on Budget vs. Actuals, perform variance analyses, and provide insights for leadership and the board.
• Build and maintain long-range forecasts and cash runway models for strategic planning.
• Partner cross-functionally with R&D and functional leaders to translate scientific goals into financial projections.
• Prepare finance materials for Board meetings and investor updates.
• Serve as the primary contact for external partners, overseeing equity administration (Carta), payroll and HR systems (Rippling), corporate credit cards and invoices (Ramp) and 401(k)/benefits.
• Ensure accuracy, compliance, and scalability across all finance and HR processes.
• Oversee 409A valuations and financial models supporting fundraising and strategic planning.
• Manage cap table accuracy, option pool planning, and coordination with legal and counsel.
• Liaise with corporate counsel to ensure smooth legal operations and governance documentation.
• Partner with IP counsel to manage filings, budgets, and deadlines.
• Partner with HR on offer letters, compensation benchmarking, and committee preparations.
• Align HR systems, Carta equity data, and finance documentation for total rewards accuracy.
• Review and approve invoices and T&E submissions for accuracy and policy compliance.
• Manage corporate credit cards, bill pay and invoices (Ramp)
• Oversee purchasing workflows (lab consumables, vendors, etc.) to ensure spend control and transparency.

Required Skills & Qualifications

• 7–10+ years of experience in FP&A, strategic finance, or business operations; biotech or life sciences background preferred.
• Proven success leading budgeting, forecasting, and financial modeling processes.
• Ability to balance strategic planning with hands‑on execution.
• Experience partnering across R&D, Legal, HR, and external finance teams.
• Strong analytical skills, judgment, and discretion with sensitive information.
• Ability to thrive in an early‑stage, fast‑paced, and evolving environment.

At Pattern Bio, we design biological circuits at the intersection of synthetic biology and AI for cell‑specific targeting of cancer tissue. By integrating data‑driven design into every step—from DNA constructs to AAV‑based delivery systems—we are building precise, rationally engineered, curative therapies. Our cohesive and driven team in South San Francisco is dedicated to curing cancer and saving lives.