Chief Financial Officer

Job Description

Job Description

Our client is a cutting-edge synthetic biology company at the intersection of gene editing, LNP/mRNA delivery systems, and AI-driven drug discovery. Financially strong and operating across India and the USA, they are advancing a transformative pipeline targeting oncology, rare genetic diseases, and precision medicine. As they enter a pivotal growth phase — encompassing U.S. expansion, platform licensing, and Series A/B fundraising — they are seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to architect their financial future.

ROLE OVERVIEW

The CFO / Finance Director will be a core member of the executive leadership team — owning the full financial function and serving as the primary bridge between our client and the global investor community. This is a deeply strategic role requiring proven biotech capital markets experience, a verifiable track record of closing large-scale fundraising transactions, and active relationships within leading life sciences investment funds. The successful candidate will combine financial rigour with commercial acumen, guiding the company through institutional funding rounds, managing regulatory compliance, and building the financial infrastructure to support accelerated pipeline development.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Financial Strategy & Planning

• Define and execute a multi-year financial strategy aligned with pipeline milestones and commercial objectives.
• Lead annual budgeting, long-range financial planning, and scenario modelling for board and investor decision-making.
• Oversee management accounts, financial reporting, and KPI frameworks across U.S. and India operations.
• Establish robust financial controls, audit readiness, and governance frameworks appropriate for a clinical-stage biotech.

B. Fundraising & Capital Formation

• Own and lead all capital-raising activities — venture equity rounds (Series A/B+), non-dilutive grants, strategic partnerships, and debt instruments. Proven deal experience is mandatory:
• Develop the investor narrative, financial models, and data room collateral for each fundraising cycle.
• Manage end-to-end deal execution — from investor engagement and term sheet negotiation through due diligence to closing.
• Design optimal capital structure strategies balancing dilution, cash runway, and programme milestone alignment.
• Engage and manage investment banks, placement agents, and financial advisors to support transaction execution.

C. Investor Relations & Fund Partnerships

• Target network: Build and maintain active, strategic relationships with leading biotech and healthcare investment funds, including OrbiMed, RA Capital Management, Flagship Pioneering, Foresite Capital, Sofinnova Partners, RTW Investments, and equivalent Tier 1 funds.
• Serve as the primary financial spokesperson to institutional investors, family offices, and sovereign wealth funds.
• Prepare and deliver investor presentations, data room materials, quarterly portfolio updates, and board packs.
• Proactively develop the company's investor pipeline well ahead of formal fundraising processes.

D. Due Diligence & Transaction Management

• Lead financial, legal, and operational due diligence for equity rounds, licensing transactions, and strategic partnerships.
• Partner with investment banks and external counsel to manage complex deal structures, timelines, and documentation.
• Ensure all financial records, compliance data, and data room materials are audit-ready at all times.

E. Compliance, Tax & Regulatory Finance

• Ensure compliance with U.S. and Indian financial regulations, GAAP/IFRS standards, and all statutory reporting requirements.
• Oversee cross-border tax strategy, transfer pricing, and intercompany financial structures.
• Manage cap table, equity plan administration, and securities compliance in conjunction with legal counsel.

F. Executive Leadership & Business Partnering

• Act as a trusted strategic partner to the CEO, CSO, and Board — translating scientific milestones into investor-facing financial value.
• Build and lead the internal finance team as the company scales through clinical development stages.
• Support BD and licensing negotiations with financial analysis, valuation modelling, and deal structuring input.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience: 15+ years of progressive finance leadership, with a minimum of 5 years in a senior finance role in biotech, biopharma, or life sciences.
• Mandatory — Deal Track Record: Demonstrated, verifiable track record of leading or co-leading large-scale fundraising transactions ($50M+) in the life sciences sector.
• Investor Network: Deep, active relationships with Tier 1 biotech investment funds (OrbiMed, RA Capital, Flagship Pioneering, Foresite, or equivalent).
• Investment Banking: Extensive experience collaborating with investment banks (Goldman Sachs, J.P. Morgan, SVB Securities, Jefferies, Cowen, Leerink, etc.) through equity and M&A processes.
• CPA, CFA, CA, or MBA from a leading institution preferred.
• Deep expertise in biotech financial modelling, DCF/rNPV valuation, clinical-stage capital structures, and milestone financing.
• Strong command of U.S. GAAP, SEC/PCAOB standards, and cross-border regulatory compliance.
• Exceptional executive communication — ability to translate complex scientific and financial data into compelling investor narratives.

PREFERRED ATTRIBUTES

• Prior CFO, VP Finance, or equivalent experience at a clinical-stage or pre-IPO biotech company.
• Familiarity with gene editing, synthetic biology, mRNA/LNP platforms, or AI-enabled drug discovery is a strong advantage.
• IPO readiness, SPAC, or Nasdaq/NYSE listing experience.
• Relationships with India-based sovereign wealth funds, family offices, or international development finance institutions are a plus.
• Comfort operating across time zones and geographies (USA, UK, India, Southeast Asia).

WHAT THEY OFFER

• Compensation: Highly competitive base salary + performance bonus, benchmarked to U.S. senior biotech executive standards.
• Equity: Meaningful equity participation — stock options or phantom equity with milestone-linked vesting aligned to fundraising and pipeline events.
• Impact: Rare opportunity to define the financial architecture of a pioneering CRISPR/synthetic biology company from inception.
• Investor Access: Direct, high-visibility engagement with global Tier 1 biotech funds, investment banks, and sovereign investors.
• Culture: Science-first, founder-minded environment within a values-driven conglomerate with 50+ years of industrial leadership.