Associate Director/Director, Financial Planning & Analysis

Company Overview:

ADARx Pharmaceuticals, Inc., (the “Company” or “ADARx”) located in San Diego, is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to transforming cutting-edge science into next-generation RNA therapeutics to treat a broad spectrum of diseases. Our goal is to control the expression of specific disease drivers with highly selective RNA targeted therapies, delivering life-changing treatments for patients with urgent unmet medical needs.

Job Description:

The Associate Director/Director, Financial Planning & Analysis will be a hands-on finance leader responsible for managing core planning, forecasting, management reporting, and business-partnering activities as ADARx advances its pipeline and prepares to operate in a public-company environment. Reporting to the Senior Director, Corporate Controller, this individual will own significant components of FP&A execution and help build scalable processes, models, reporting, and decision-support capabilities. The role will partner closely with research and development, clinical, program management, general and administrative functions, accounting, human resources, legal, and senior leadership. The scope and final title will be determined based on the selected candidate’s experience and qualifications. This position is based at the Company’s office in San Diego, California.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Manage the execution of the annual budget, periodic forecasts, and long-range planning processes, including planning calendars, templates, assumptions, consolidation, analysis, and stakeholder coordination.
• Develop and maintain integrated financial models for operating expenses, headcount, cash requirements, and other key business drivers, with particular focus on research and development programs, clinical trials, and external vendor activity.
• Serve as a finance business partner to assigned functional and program leaders, translating operating plans into financial forecasts and providing timely, practical guidance on performance, risks, opportunities, and resource allocation.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly management reporting, budget-to-actual and forecast variance analyses, trend analyses, dashboards, and executive-ready narratives to support presentations to senior leadership and, as requested, the Board of Directors.
• Develop a detailed understanding of the Company’s pipeline, development plans, contractual commitments, workforce plans, and other value and cost drivers to improve forecast accuracy and decision support.
• Partner with clinical, research, program management, and accounting teams to monitor study and program spend, analyze CRO and other vendor forecasts, and align operational milestones with financial assumptions.
• Coordinate with accounting during monthly and quarterly close to ensure management reporting reflects complete and accurate financial results; provide forecast, commitment, accrual, and variance information without assuming ownership of accounting conclusions or the close process.
• Maintain clear reporting for purchase orders, contracts, headcount, and other financial commitments, and identify emerging deviations from approved plans for timely escalation and action.
• Support strategic analyses, scenario planning, capital allocation, financing and corporate development evaluations, and other special projects as directed.
• Help develop, document, and maintain scalable FP&A policies, procedures, calendars, data definitions, internal controls, and review protocols that support accurate, consistent, and audit-ready planning and reporting.
• Improve management reporting and planning processes through standardized models, automation, disciplined data governance, and effective use of ERP, planning, reporting, and visualization tools.
• Build effective working relationships across the organization, communicate financial concepts clearly to non-finance stakeholders, and promote accountability for budgets, forecasts, commitments, and operating performance.
• Contribute to the continued evolution of FP&A capabilities as the organization grows; direct reports may be added as business needs evolve.

Education and experience

• 8-10 years of progressive FP&A, corporate finance, or related experience, including meaningful responsibility for budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, management reporting, and business partnering; prior experience in the life sciences or biotechnology industry is strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, economics, business, or a related field required; MBA, CPA, or other relevant advanced credential is preferred.

Specialized knowledge:

• Demonstrated ability to manage annual budgets, rolling forecasts, long-range plans, and recurring management reporting in a dynamic, resource-constrained environment.
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, including the ability to connect operational assumptions, program timelines, headcount, contractual commitments, operating expenses, and cash requirements.
• Experience supporting research and development, clinical, or other technical organizations is strongly preferred, including familiarity with clinical trial cost drivers, CRO and vendor arrangements, and the drug development lifecycle.
• Working knowledge of U.S. GAAP and the relationship between FP&A processes, financial results, accruals, commitments, and internal controls; this role is not intended to own external reporting or technical accounting.
• Proven business-partnering skills and the ability to constructively challenge assumptions, influence outcomes without direct authority, and translate complex financial information into clear recommendations.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of concise, executive-level presentations and narratives for senior leadership and Board audiences.
• Excellent judgment, integrity, organization, and attention to detail, with the ability to take ownership of assigned areas, manage competing priorities, and deliver accurate work within demanding deadlines.
• Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint and experience with ERP, planning, reporting, or visualization tools; experience with NetSuite and Planful, Adaptive Planning, or a similar platform is preferred.
• Experience building or improving FP&A processes, data models, systems, controls, and reporting in a growing or pre-commercial company is a plus.

Compensation:

• This is a full-time position, Monday-Friday, occasional overtime.
• Pay is commensurate with experience.
• Equity-based compensation
• Performance-based bonuses
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Medical, Dental, Vision
• Flexible Spending Account
• Life Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Employee Discounts
• Gym Membership
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick, Jury Duty, Bereavement

Work Authorization:

• United States (Required)
• Background Check
• As a condition of employment, you must successfully complete all post-offer, pre-employment requirements, including but not limited to a background check.

Disclosure Statement

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.
• Any data processed in connection with role applications will be treated in accordance with applicable data privacy policies and regulations.
• The range provided is based on what we believe is a reasonable estimate for the base salary pay range for this job at the time of posting. This role is eligible for an annual target bonus and annual equity awards. Some roles may also be eligible for overtime pay, in accordance with federal and state requirements. Actual base salary pay will be based on a number of factors, including skills, competencies, type and length of experience within the industry, and other job-related factors permitted by law.
• Total Compensation includes base salary; benefits: medical, vision, and dental insurance; life insurance; 401(k) matching program; paid time off; paid holidays; Employee Assistance Program; and other employee benefits. This role may also be eligible for short-term or long-term incentive compensation, including but not limited to cash bonuses.
• Following a conditional offer of employment, satisfactory completion of a background check (including criminal records check) is required prior to beginning employment. Any offer of employment may be rescinded if the background check reveals disqualifying information, and/or it is discovered that the candidate knowingly withheld or falsified information. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the continued employment of a current NAI employee who was conditionally offered the position.

ADARx Pharmaceuticals is an EEO employer committed to an exciting, diverse, and enriching work environment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.