Summary
The Senior Director, Clinical Finance is a strategic finance leader responsible for driving the company's financial planning processes, guiding senior leadership through financial implications of business strategy, and partnering with the R&D organization to negotiate and execute cost-effective vendor contracts that achieve our development goals.
This role manages forecasting, budgeting, management reporting, and financial modeling, while leading and developing a high-performing team. The ideal candidate is a collaborative business partner with strong analytical capabilities and the ability to operate in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Financial Planning, Analysis and Reporting
- Partners with Clinical Development Operations to understand study needs, site selection priorities, enrollment timelines, and budget assumptions.
- Prepares and maintains budgets and forecasts for assigned clinical studies, monitoring financial performance against plan.
- Oversees the development of clinical site budget parameters and reviews clinical site budget escalations.
- Contributes to the quarterly financial statement review, the annual budget and quarterly updates to the company forecast model.
- Reviews and approves purchase requisitions and contracts for budget adherence, spending authorization compliance, and inclusion of appropriate financial terms and conditions.
- Performs financial analysis of potential business transactions to facilitate decision making and execution.
- Informs leadership of any observations and proactively provides insightful suggestions for improvement.
- Deploys in-depth knowledge of the functional area, business strategies, and the company''s goals.
Procurement, Clinical Outsourcing and Vendor Management:
- Leads procurement strategy, contract negotiation, vendor governance, and process oversight, and collaborates with R&D SME's on supplier selection, to ensure cost-effective, compliant purchasing decisions aligned with business objectives for assigned clinical studies.
- Ensures procurement process, systems and documentation comply with Nektar's policies and procedures.
- Identifies, selects, engages, and manages third-party vendors in partnership with subject matter experts for assigned clinical studies.
- Manages vendor performance against agreed upon expectations for assigned clinical studies.
- Participates in vendor governance committees for assigned clinical studies.
- Leads negotiation of key clinical CRO contractual terms within assigned areas of responsibility with business partners and Legal for assigned clinical studies.
- Oversees clinical site contracting team and activities.
Team Leadership & Process Excellence
- Leads, mentors, and grows a high-performing team; provides coaching, oversight, and professional development.
- Drives automation and reporting enhancements to improve accuracy, efficiency, and real-time visibility.
- Partners with Accounting on month-end close, accruals, and overall financial accuracy.
- Fosters a culture of data-driven decision making.
Education or Degree Requirements
Bachelor's degree in a Finance or Business discipline is required. Advanced degree (e.g., MBA) required. Equivalent experience may be accepted.
Minimum Professional Experience
Minimum 15 years financial planning experience, preferably in biotech or pharmaceutical industry, required. 12 years management experience may be required
Additional Qualifications & Experience
- Expertise in clinical study and clinical site cost budgeting and forecasting is required.
- Exceptional financial modeling and analytical skills.
- Leads by example, models collaborative behavior by soliciting opinions. Is also willing to make key decisions and is effective in getting the team behind the decisions.
- Excellent project management and leadership skills are essential with strong oral and written communication skills.
- In-depth knowledge of the functional area and business strategies.
- Proven track record of successfully interacting with internal and external executive levels, including formal presentations. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are required.
- Must be a demonstrated self-starter and team player with strong interpersonal skills.
- Excellent computer and analytical skills, including strong Excel and modeling skills are essential. Experience with Microsoft Copilot, Smartsheet planning or ERP systems is highly desired.
Additional Information
Nektar currently anticipates the base salary for the Senior Manager, Clinical Finance to range from $240,000 to $302,000 for candidates in the Bay Area and will depend, in part, on successful candidate''s location and qualifications for the role, including education and experience. This position will also be eligible for an annual performance bonus in accordance with the terms of the applicable plan (depending, in part, on company and individual performance and at the Company''s discretion on an individual basis.) The compensation described above is subject to change and could be higher or lower than the range described based on the market survey data.
Qualifying employees are eligible to participate in benefit programs such as:
- Health Insurance (Medical/Dental/Vision)
- Disability Insurance
- Holiday Pay
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- 401(k) Match
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Wellness Programs
- Parental Leave Benefits (in accordance with the terms of applicable plans)
For general information on company benefits, please go to https://www.nektar.com/careers.