Senior Vice President, Finance

About Seismic

Seismic Therapeutic is a biotechnology company integrating machine learning to accelerate immunology drug development. Using its IMPACT™ platform, the company is addressing the central challenges of biologics discovery and development by fully integrating machine learning with structural biology, protein engineering and translational immunology to create optimized therapies for patients with autoimmune disease. The company has raised $222M to date from a strong syndicate of life sciences investors (Lightspeed Venture Partners, Bessemer Venture Partners, Tim Springer, Polaris, GV, Boxer, Samsara, Amgen Ventures and others) and is located in the Boston-Watertown biotechnology hub.

The Opportunity

Seismic is seeking an experienced Finance/Accounting professional to serve as SVP, Finance to build, lead and run Seismic’s Finance and Accounting organization. This is an exciting opportunity to join as a key member of the Seismic Leadership Team.

The SVP, Finance will have a vision for Seismic’s Finance function and needs; will establish key systems and best practices, and be the overall responsible day-to-day leader of Finance from a strategic, technical, and operational standpoint.

In addition to being a key contributor to corporate strategy, this is a role that requires a dynamic, hands-on leader, who will move proactively to lead the accounting, FP&A, and financial reporting functions.

The Role

This position requires a strategically minded, accomplished, and motivated finance/accounting professional with a track record of delivering consistent results in dynamic, high-growth businesses.

The SVP, Finance will be responsible and accountable for:

Strategic Vision and Engagement

• Working with the Consulting CFO and CEO to develop an overall vision for Seismic’s Finance function to fit the needs of the company.
• Growing, leading, motivating, developing, and coaching a best-in-class accounting function that is viewed as a business partner and expert on accounting, controls and reporting matters while providing guidance and assistance to other departments as needed.
• Contribute important accounting, tax, reporting insights as well as relevant financial analysis to important strategic decisions.

Advanced Finance Acumen

• Build, manage and maintain the company’s system of internal financial controls.
• Manage the timely and accurate preparation of monthly financial statements and related reports for internal distribution as well the preparation of quarterly and annual financial statements.
• Manage the planning and successful execution of quarterly reviews and annual audits conducted by the Company’s external audit firm.
• Work closely with the Consulting CFO and CEO on treasury activities including cash and investment management matters.
• Manage currently outsourced functions such as income taxes and procurement activities, including evaluation of the current process and structure and recommending and implementing changes in either, as needed.
• Ensure that all federal, state and local tax returns and filings are completed accurately and on a timely basis.
• Participate in senior leadership meetings preparing and presenting relevant documents, reports and plans in a timely manner.
• Evaluate existing accounting processes and technologies, implementing changes for improvement and manage implementation of new processes and technologies as identified.
• Interface with the Audit Committee of the Board, ensuring they have a clear sense of the overall financial health and potential risk areas of the company.
• Identify and lead financial systems migration/implementation, partner with all internal stakeholders, and manage external relationships with auditors, insurance and other vendors as required.
• Maintain prudent risk policies and exposures.

FP&A Accountability

• Manage and maintain the Company’s strategic finance capability (FP establish and maintain a culture of financial forward-thinking, and financial analysis to underpin the Company’s strategy, decisions, and planning.
• Co-lead the Company’s strategic resource planning, budget and allocation process (LRP) with other key stakeholders.
• Maintain accounting practices under US GAAP and SEC requirements and manage internal controls.
• Preparation of annual budgets and periodic forecasts.

Your Background:

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. CPA/MBA is strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 15+ years of progressively increasing responsibilities in accounting and financial roles, including minimum of 3 years at a Big 4 Accounting firm and ideally 3- 5 years of Controllership and FP&A experience. Public company experience required, and biotech/pharmaceutical industry experience strongly preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership experience building, developing and leading a high performing team in a high growth organization. Strong leadership ability to guide and coach a team in day-to-day and long-term related activities.
• Broad overall business perspective especially about issues facing biotech and drug development companies that will allow the person to identify trends, anticipate and recognize early signs of challenges, problems or opportunities, and communicate solutions or recommendations to address them.
• Excellent accounting and analytical skills and ability to identify potential accounting or reporting issues that may arise from future strategic transactions and the ability to offer insights into how they may be avoided or mitigated. Ability to assess the impact of pending or future planned accounting or tax rules on Seismic Therapeutic.
• Self-starter with the ability to set priorities for themselves and for the team in order to meet specific deadlines in a fast paced and entrepreneurial environment. Ability to be flexible, accommodating and deal with change effectively. Ability to manage projects with participants and audience ranging from entry-level to Board-level.
• Ability and willingness to dive deep into details when needed, and exert extra effort when required, while at the same time maintaining clear view of the strategic “big picture” and priorities.
• Strong ability to build good working relationships with cross-functional business teams. Work effectively in and contribute to a team environment. Approaches work with a positive, team-first attitude.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication, including running meetings and preparing presentations for internal and external groups. Ability to communicate effectively with team and Senior Management.
• Someone who will embrace Seismic’s culture, values and exhibits a high degree of integrity and ethics, and shares Seismic’s commitment to an inclusive and supportive culture.

This position will be in our Watertown, MA office location.

As a member of our diverse and growing team, you’ll help shape Seismic into a company that takes its scientific mission seriously while providing a positive and supportive workplace environment and culture. With your insights, passion and talent - we’ll bring novel therapeutics to the patients who need them the most.

Seismic Therapeutic is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veteran's status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law.