Our client is a successful Biotech company who went public in 2016 and to date built a high caliber, multi-disciplinary team of nearly 100 employees spread across the US, Switzerland and the UK.

The company is uniquely positioned with its breakthrough technology. It has made strong progress in advancing its foundational IP portfolio mainly in the U.S. and Europe and are confident to be able to reinforce their leadership on the IP side. Given numerous potential therapeutic applications the client is establishing strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies that are interested in using the technology to develop treatments for serious diseases.

About the Position

This role offers an interesting career development perspective for a flexible, hands-on candidate who enjoys working in a self-controlled environment, is ready to roll up his sleeves and thrives in a dynamic Start Up environment. The Director of Finance is the most senior finance professional in the Switzerland parent organisation and will be responsible for financial and business development support encompassing strategic and tax planning, budgeting and forecasting.

The Director of Finance coordinates all finance functions for Switzerland, including accounting, financial reporting and analysis activities as well as ensuring management of controls and processes. He ensures that financial statements are accurate, complete and in accordance with country requirements. The Director of Finance will also act as a very close business partner to the US and UK teams and will be based in the Zurich Area.

Key Responsibilities

• Responsible for analysis and assessment of business development deals from a strategic and financial basis
• Coordinates all tax filings and oversees tax planning strategies for Switzerland
• Prepares statements of monthly financial data in compliance with local statutory requirements including income statement and balance sheets. Provides analysis of financial results compared to monthly plans
• Responsible for Switzerland payroll and filing all relevant local and social security documents
• Responsible for coordinating all internal and external statutory and legal reporting and filings required for a public company including equity compensation
• Responds to special financial requests and analysis, and communicates potential problem areas. Conduct financial reviews/analysis as requested
• Liaises with the Vice President of Finance and the Head of Business Development and Strategy in establishing annual budgets and periodic forecasts for Switzerland and global operations
• Responsible for the month-end accounting close for the Switzerland parent, including processing of journal entries in the current MasterFinanz software package and preparation of Balance Sheet Reconciliations
• Accountable for establishing and maintaining an environment of proper procedures and policies to support strong internal control framework in adherence to Sarbanes Oxley
• Lead the European ERP software implementation in collaboration with US Finance and Accounting team
• Prepare all relevant documentation and coordinate annual and periodic external audits

Key Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of experience in financial analysis related to tax planning, financial planning and international business development
• Strong analytical and interpretive skills, ability to deliver financial data in a user friendly and relevant manner
• Ability to logically plan, organize and complete work assignments in individual and team settings
• Strong preference for experience implementing ERP systems and Business Intelligence reporting software
• Strong preference for experience working in a public environment
• English Proficiency

Key Competencies

• Flexibility, thrives in a dynamic Start Up environment
• Ability to work in a self-controlled environment
• Distinct hands-on approach and a positive can do attitude
• Strong interpersonal and intercultural skills and the ability to communicate well across functions