(Sen.) Finance Director (f/d/m)

We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Finance Director to lead the day-to-day finance and accounting operations of a growing, internationally operating biotechnology company headquartered in Germany. The position reports to CFO in USA / Westcoast.
You are the CFO’s counterpart on site in Germany and will take full ownership of the German finance function—from accounting and financial reporting through budgeting, forecasting, cash management, controls, tax and audit coordination - so that the CFO in the US can focus on capital markets, investors and corporate strategy. You are the main point of contact in Munich for management, auditors, tax advisors, banks and authorities and work closely with the CFO across time zones. The successful candidate will combine strong technical accounting capabilities with a proactive, business-oriented approach and the ability to build scalable processes as the Company grows.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all day-to-day finance and accounting operations in Germany, with accountability for the accuracy, completeness and timeliness of financial information.
• Own the monthly, quarterly and annual close, including oversight of the Company's external accounting/tax advisor and DATEV-based accounting processes and provide timely reporting packages.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, working closely with functional leaders (R&D, clinical, CMC, support functions) to establish budgets, assumptions and spending accountability.
• Oversee ongoing forecasting, long-range planning and budget-to-actual analysis (including quarterly accruals for clinical trials and CRO contracts), proactively identifying material variances and emerging financial risks.
• Prepare high-quality financial reporting and deviation analysis for senior management, the Board and shareholders.
• Manage cash flow, liquidity and treasury, including short- and medium-term cash forecasting and bank relationships.
• Oversee accounts payable, procurement and payment approvals, ensuring appropriate financial and budget controls.
• Establish and continuously improve financial policies, processes and internal controls appropriate for a growing biotechnology company.
• Coordinate annual financial statement audits and manage relationships with external auditors, tax advisors and other finance-related service providers.
• Oversee German statutory and tax compliance, including coordination of HGB financial statements, corporate tax, to the extend applicable trade tax and VAT requirements.
• Manage intercompany accounting and financial processes between the German parent and international subsidiaries, including intercompany agreements and transfer pricing documentation together with advisors.
• Drive improvements in finance systems, reporting, automation and processes to create a scalable finance infrastructure capable of supporting future growth and potential public-company readiness.
• Support the introduction of US GAAP or IFRS reporting together with the CFO.
• Act as finance contact for payroll, insurance, banks and corporate housekeeping (shareholder resolutions and commercial register filings, together with legal counsel), and support clarification of the tax and accounting aspects of employee equity programs with advisors.
• Build up and lead a finance team as the Company grows.

• 10+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience, including meaningful responsibility for accounting, financial reporting, budgeting and financial operations.
• Strong knowledge of German GAAP/HGB and German statutory accounting requirements.
• Demonstrated experience personally managing and taking ownership of month-end close, financial statements, budgets and forecasts.
• Strong FP&A capabilities, including budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cash planning and management reporting.
• Experience managing external accountants, tax advisors and auditors while maintaining clear internal ownership and accountability for the finance function.
• Experience with DATEV or comparable German accounting systems.
• Experience working in an international organization, including intercompany accounting and cross-border financial operations.
• Business-fluent German and English, spoken and written, as the role involves regular contact with German authorities, auditors and tax advisors as well as with US colleagues.

Helpful-to-have:

• Experience in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, life sciences or another development-intensive environment, including accounting for clinical trials.
• Experience supporting Boards and institutional or venture investors.
• Broader experience in the implementation of ERP systems; knowledge of US GAAP and public-company readiness. 
• Experience with grants and R&D tax incentives (Forschungszulage).

Above all, we are looking for a proactive finance leader and problem solver, not simply an administrator of existing processes. 
The successful candidate will be comfortable operating at both the strategic and detailed levels—able to prepare a forecast or advise management while also ensuring that the close, reconciliations, payments and financial controls are operating properly.
The individual should demonstrate a strong sense of ownership, urgency and accountability, identify issues before they become problems, and independently drive solutions and process improvements.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional who take ownership of the German finance function of a growing international biotechnology company and help establish the financial infrastructure needed for its next stage of development.