Head of Finance

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Direct message the job poster from SynOx Therapeutics

Synox Therapeutics is a late-stage clinical biopharmaceutical company. We have recently completed a $75M series B fundraise to continue with the clinical development of emactuzumab, a drug to treat diffusetenosynovialgiant cell tumours (“TGCT”), also known as pigmented villonodular synovitis (“PVNS”). TGCT are rare tumours that form in the joints, causing severe swelling and pain, and often the only available treatment is surgery, which may not prevent tumours returning. We have secured exclusive worldwide rights for the manufacturing and commercialisation of emactuzumab under a licence agreement with Roche and are currently undertaking our global, registrational Phase III trial, TANGENT.

The Role

This role is fundamental in leading our close-knit team to set up a professional and compliant finance function, with both a strategic and operational focus expanding into the wider business. The ideal candidate will report directly to, and work closely with, the SVP, Finance and Operations. They will take over day-to-day responsibility for managing all finance and admin processes. This is a broad role that will cover a range of processes including complex global consolidated accounting, IT governance, risk management and general business operations.

The Group is made up of an Irish-based parent company and a UK subsidiary and the business is complex with global operations and technical scientific services being procured. We are pre-revenue but need to build a roadmap for commercialisation, in which the ideal candidate will play a pivotal role. It is therefore extremely important that the right candidate is detailed-oriented and meticulous, although must be able to step back to a strategic level to shape the department. We expect the right candidate to take a high level of autonomy, trusting that they will ask for help if needed and build strong relationships around the business.

This is the opportunity for the right person to build their own financial admin infrastructure and take ownership over the finance and supporting business operations. This role is supported by a very strong Finance & IT Systems Manager who takes ownership over the day-to-day financial operations and management accounts processes. The right candidate will need to work closely with the Finance & IT Systems Manager, but it is the Financial Controller that will need to take a hands-on approach to delivering complex statutory accounting and global tax compliance.

The role is predominantly remote, although the team meet semi-regularly in the Oxford area and there may need to be occasional onsite days elsewhere in the UK that may even require very occasional overnight travel. This role can support a part-time position (3-4 days per week), although would also suit a full-time position for someone willing to be proactive and take initiative to take on a wider support role in the admin side of the business. We are happy to discuss any flexible working preferences and consider alternative time commitments.

Responsibilities

The role will require hands-on involvement with a broad variety of tasks as needed, including:

• Full ownership of the financial processes and controls, responsible for identifying and independently implementing significant process improvements, managing and working in close collaboration with the Finance & IT Systems Manager.
• Responsibility for the development, and subsequent review, of comprehensive documentation of policies, processes and procedures for the finance and admin functions including corporate governance, IT governance and risk management.
• Building controls and checklists to ensure processes are being followed efficiently and reporting dashboards to visualise the team’s financial and corporate KPIs, risks and achievements for reporting to senior management.
• Building close working relationships across the wider team, ensuring buy-in and compliance with finance and admin processes. This role will be a key point of contact for all departments, requiring understanding of their responsibilities, workflows, and concerns to facilitate streamlined operations.
• Work with the wider business and the Finance & IT System Manager to develop budgets and communicate these to senior management. Helping departments understand their budgets, articulate variances, and communicate effectively with senior management.
• Review management accounts and investor reporting figures, followed by writing reports for senior management distribution.
• Lead relationships with statutory auditors and third-party advisers to ensure a clean, timely audit. Manage the audit process autonomously, prepare consolidation journals, technical accounting papers, IFRS accounts, and R&D tax credit claims.
• Full ownership of global tax activities, including corporate tax returns (UK, Ireland, US), R&D tax credits, payroll, corporate structuring, and risk management.
• Stay updated on compliance standards and communicate changes to the team.
• Shape the strategic financial future of the business, preparing for potential exit strategies and IPO-level due diligence.
• Manage global expansion and compliance, including incorporation of US subsidiary and intercompany agreements for tax efficiency.
• Cap table management, including complex transactions and anti-dilution mechanisms, and ownership of share option admin.
• Lead development of an ISO27001-compliant Information Security Management System.
• Assist in building business continuity, risk register, and disaster recovery plans.
• Collaborate with the Head of HR on data protection policies and training requirements.
• Support external communication strategies, including website updates, press releases, and branding.
• Act as a second-in-command to the SVP, Finance and Operations, handling ad hoc tasks as needed.

Requirements

The ideal candidate must:

• Be a qualified accountant with strong technical skills in group consolidation.
• Have experience and interest in life sciences, ideally in a global biotech transitioning from pre-revenue to commercialization.
• Be a self-starter: highly organized, proactive, efficient, and able to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Possess strong verbal and written communication skills to articulate complex financial strategies to non-finance senior management.
• Be willing to 'roll up sleeves' and get involved in various business needs, ideally with startup experience.
• Prefer structured processes and be comfortable building documentation and suggesting improvements.
• Enjoy working in a small team environment.
• Ideally have experience with NetSuite or similar multi-book, multi-currency ERP systems.

Additional benefits include holidays, pension contributions, discretionary bonus scheme, share options, and other employee benefits.

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