Financial Controller | Innovative BioTech Business | London

Harmonic are excited to be working with an innovative BioTech business developing new disease treatments. Our client is searching for an ambitious financial controller to join their expanding team. In a sector that has raised a record £3bn in the first three quarters of 2021, there is no better time to join this exciting seed company and contribute to its on-going growth.

The Client:

Our client is an award-winning venture-capital backed biotech company. Having recently received a substantial amount of private equity funding, our client is looking to continue their rate of growth, with a financial controller being imperative to their daily finance management.

The company offers flexible working and 20 paid days holiday (excluding bank holidays) in line with their values towards maintaining a healthy work-life balance, although the ideal candidate would work in office at least 3 days/week. In line with their start-up culture, our client strives to maintain a fun, friendly atmosphere, far from the traditionally corporate cultures dominating the sector.

Working closely with the CFO, the successful candidate will be responsible for line managing the finance department and the driving force behind the company's accounting process. This is an ideal time to join the company as you will have significant interaction with senior stakeholders and influential in the companies expansion internationally.

The role:

Reporting directly to the Founders, the Financial Controller role offers a unique opportunity to combine your technical financial knowledge with active involvement in the commercial development of the business. Whilst your primary focus will ensure that the business's operations are running as optimally as possible, you will play a key part in planning the company's future so this role be ideal for a creative individual who can take a commercial view.

You will take primary responsibility for producing accurate company reports and financial reports for C-suite leadership throughout the latter stages of their product development. Therefore, the ideal candidate will be an expert in regulations regarding tax and financial law. You must also have strong communication skills to communicate financial insights and reports in a jargon-free, simple manner. You will directly manage 3 individuals, themselves managing their own teams and departments so proven leadership is essential.

Core duties will include:

• Production of monthly management accounts.
• Responsible for budgeting and forecasting.
• Financial planning and analysis (including margin analysis and creation of KPI dashboards)
• Working with external accountants to ensure accurate and timely tax return filings and compliance with regulatory bodies.
• Support the founders with managing capital via delivery of cash flow forecasts.
• Responsible for delivering Accounts Receivable/Payable reports in a high transaction environment (supported by AP & AR teams).
• Oversee the delivery of payroll (supported by external partners).
• Line manager duties to 3 senior members of finance team and overseeing their respective teams.

Essential Experience:

• At least 3 years industry experience as Financial Controller or Finance Manager.
• Evidence of strong commercial accounting/FP&A experience, preferably within the BioTech/MedTech/HealthTech industries, though client is open to other industries.
• Proven leadership experience with at least 6 months of managing at least one junior colleague.
• Deep knowledge of financial legal and tax systems.
• Proven aptitude in providing commercially focused analytics.
• A genuine passion for the biotech industry and the development of RNA therapies.

Non-Essential Experience:

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Experience using Xero
• Experience of financial controller role from a BioTech/MedTech/HealthTech firm.
• Undergraduate degree at 2:1 or above, preferably in maths/finance/life sciences.
• Experience in a rapidly scaling start-up/scale-up business.

Company Culture & Ethos:

The business prides itself on its fun, welcoming culture, centred around their mission to save lives and cure illnesses not just treat them. Based in the heart of a vibrant London high street, the company has an active social scene designed to show their appreciation to their employees. Additionally, a hybrid working model is permanently implemented to encourage work-life balance, though preferably the Financial Controller will work in the office some days of the week.

Salary: up to £70,000 and share options (other benefits negotiable)

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