Escient Pharmaceuticals is a San Diego based a clinical-stage company focused on developing novel therapeutics to address a broad range of neurosensory-inflammatory disorders. The company’s pipeline includes two first-in-class small molecule antagonists targeting MRGPRX2 for the treatment of various mast cell mediated disorders and MRGPRX4 for cholestatic pruritus. Escient is led by an experienced management and scientific team and funded by top-tier life science investors.

Our team is driven by the desire to make a positive difference in the lives of patients. We are passionate about innovative science and strive to discover and develop novel medicines, to bring value to the healthcare ecosystem, and to address significant unmet medical needs. We foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, transparency, mutual respect, and integrity and an environment where employees feel fulfilled by the work they do and are recognized for the contributions they make.

We are seeking a dynamic and highly motivated individual to join Escient Pharmaceuticals and lead our Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) function. In this highly collaborative role, you will serve as a financial business partner to department managers and the company’s executive leadership team and collaborate with them to develop and maintain budgets and forecasts and perform financial analysis to drive decision making. Reporting to the CFO, you will be the first FP&A hire for the company and will have the opportunity to grow the FP&A team as the company evolves.

Primary responsibilities include:

• Serve as financial business partner to department managers and executive leadership team
• Manage quarterly forecasting, annual budgeting, and long-range planning processes
• Ensure timely delivery and accuracy of monthly and quarterly financial reporting
• Provide explanations of variances between actuals and budgets/forecasts
• Perform financial modeling and ad-hoc scenario analyses to support decision making
• Build and maintain clinical trial expense forecast models
• Partner with accounting staff to ensure accuracy and integrity of company financials
• Track and record certain accrued liabilities and prepaid expenses as part of monthly accounting close process
• BA/BS degree in Finance/Accounting or equivalent practical experience; MBA is a plus
• 6+ years of corporate finance, FP&A or similar experience
• Biotech industry experience required
• Experience with various ERP/accounting systems and financial planning/reporting systems a plus
• Ability to execute multiple workstreams in a fast-paced dynamic environment; flexibility to adapt to changing priorities

Education and Experience

• BA/BS degree in Finance/Accounting or equivalent practical experience; MBA is a plus
• 6+ years of corporate finance, FP&A or similar experience
• Biotech industry experience required
• Experience with various ERP/accounting systems and financial planning/reporting systems a plus

Qualifications

• Proactive self-starter; ability to anticipate and plan ahead and prioritize and manage time effectively to meet deadlines
• Ability to effectively work both independently and cross-functionally with minimal supervision
• Proven ability to build strong relationships of trust and influence
• Analytical thinker with strong business acumen and attention to detail
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to create and deliver effective presentations
• Ability to present complex financial analyses clearly and concisely
• High level of proficiency with MS Excel and financial modeling (preferably with experience modeling clinical trial costs)
• Good understanding of GAAP accounting principles and how they impact financial planning and reporting

If you thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and are in search of a dynamic, multi-disciplinary team focused on discovering and developing therapies that will positively change the course of the health and well-being of underserved patients, we encourage you to apply. Escient Pharmaceuticals offers a positive and exciting work environment with competitive pay structures and benefits. Escient is an equal opportunity employer.

Escient Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Human Resources team manages its own recruitment and employment process. To protect the interest of all parties involved, Escient will only accept resumes from a recruiter if an executed search agreement is in place at the start of the recruitment effort for a particular open position. Unsolicited resumes sent to Escient from recruiters do not constitute or create any type of relationship between the recruiter and Escient, and Escient shall not pay any fees should we hire any individual from those resumes. Recruiters are requested not to contact or present candidates directly to Escient’s hiring manager or employees.