Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) - Technical Operations

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc.; Waltham (MA); On-site; USD 192,000 - 235,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Wellness stipend

Equity grants

Job summary

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. in Waltham, MA is seeking a Director of FP&A – Technical Operations to partner with Drug Product, Drug Supply, and Global Supply Chain.

This role leads budgeting, forecasting, and analytics that drive manufacturing and supply chain strategy. You will own COGS analyses, capex spend, and cost optimization initiatives, build scalable financial models, and deliver executive-ready insights.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive finance experience, with at least 3 years in Technical Operations or related areas.
• Proven budgeting, forecasting, and long-range planning experience.
• Strong modeling and analytics; translates data for senior leadership.
• Ability to partner with Technical Operations, Accounting, and Corporate FP&A.
• Excellent communication skills; able to tailor messages to executives.
• Experience in fast-paced biotech or pharmaceutical environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual budgets, long-range financial plans, and rolling forecasts for COGS, capex, and Opex.
• Act as financial business partner to Technical Operations leadership.
• Lead financial analysis of manufacturing costs and third-party spend.
• Build and maintain financial models for scale-up and capacity planning.
• Ensure integration of Technical Operations plans with enterprise budgeting.
• Drive monthly close and variance analysis to provide spend visibility.
• Collaborate across Technical Operations, Accounting, Purchasing, and Corporate FP&A.
• Champion ERP and planning tool improvements to enhance reporting efficiency.

Skills

Budgeting and forecasting

Financial modeling

Cross-functional partnership

Strategic FP&A leadership

COGS analysis

Variance analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field

MBA or CPA preferred

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Hyperion

Anaplan

Adaptive Insights

Job description

Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) - Technical Operations

Waltham, Massachusetts

At Kailera, we are bold, authentic and committed to our mission of developing therapies that give people the power to transform their lives and elevate their overall health. Rooted in an entrepreneurial spirit and a team-oriented culture, we are working together to advance Kailera’s mission to advance novel therapies for obesity and related conditions. We are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes collaboration, integrity, and excellence. As we expand, we seek the most talented individuals with diverse backgrounds, cultures, perspectives, and experiences to join our team.

What You’ll Do:

As Director, FP&A – Technical Operations, you will serve as the strategic finance partner to Kailera’s Technical Operations organization, partnering closely with leadership across Drug Product, Drug Supply, and Global Supply Chain. You will contribute to Kailera’s budgeting processes and own the financial planning, forecasting, and analysis that underpin our manufacturing and supply chain strategy, including cost of goods sold, capital investments, and third-party manufacturing spend. As the key business partner to Technical Operations leadership, you will lead complex, cross-functional financial initiatives and translate data into insights that inform executive decision-making. This is a highly visible, full-time role based at our Waltham, MA headquarters, offering the opportunity to build financial infrastructure and processes as Kailera scales its manufacturing and supply chain capabilities to bring new obesity therapies to patients.

Required location: Waltham, MA (hub-based, onsite 3-4 days per week)

Responsibilities:

• Partner with leadership across Drug Product, Drug Supply, and Global Supply Chain to develop annual budgets, long-range financial plans, and rolling forecasts for cost of goods sold (COGS), capital expenditures, and operating expenses
• Serve as the key financial business partner to Technical Operations leadership, translating financial data into actionable insights that guide strategic and operational decisions
• Lead financial analysis of manufacturing costs, third-party CDMO/CMO spend, and Technical Operations project budgets to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for leadership
• Build and maintain financial models supporting manufacturing scale-up, capacity planning, and make-versus-buy analyses for Drug Product and Drug Supply
• Contribute to Kailera’s enterprise budgeting process, ensuring Technical Operations plans are integrated with company-wide financial goals and timelines
• Drive the monthly close and variance analysis process for Technical Operations, partnering with Accounting to ensure accurate accrual tracking and spend visibility
• Lead cross-functional collaboration with Technical Operations, Accounting, Procurement, and Corporate FP&A to align financial priorities, timelines, and reporting standards
• Champion process and systems improvements (e.g., ERP and planning tools) to increase the efficiency, accuracy, and scalability of Technical Operations financial reporting
• Prepare executive and board-level materials summarizing Technical Operations financial performance, key risks, and recommendations

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum of 7 years of progressive finance experience within the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, including at least 3 years supporting Technical Operations, Manufacturing, Drug Product, Drug Supply, or Supply Chain functions
• Demonstrated experience leading budgeting, forecasting, and long-range financial planning for complex, multidisciplinary functions
• Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, with the ability to translate complex data into clear, actionable insights for senior leadership
• Proven ability to lead through influence and build trusted, cross-functional partnerships with Technical Operations, Accounting, and Corporate FP&A
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to tailor messages for audiences ranging from working teams to executive leadership
• Demonstrated ability to lead and deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving biotech environment, responding to shifting priorities with resilience and sound judgment

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience supporting CDMO/CMO relationships and external manufacturing financial oversight
• Experience with ERP and financial planning systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Hyperion, Anaplan, or Adaptive Insights)
• Experience in obesity, metabolic disease, or GLP-1 therapeutic areas
• Experience operating in a high-growth, pre-commercial biotech environment

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Economics, or a related field, with 10+ years of relevant experience or 8+ years with advanced degree.
• MBA or CPA preferred

Salary Range

$192,000 - $235,000 USD

For Full Time Roles:

This range represents the company’s good-faith estimate of the salary at the time of posting. Actual pay may vary based on experience, skills, qualifications, location, and internal equity. We also offer comprehensive health coverage, flexible time off, paid holidays, and a year-end shutdown. Enjoy a monthly wellness stipend, generous 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, disability and life insurance, plus annual bonus opportunities and equity grants—because your well-being and future matter to us.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY INFORMATION:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, creed, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (40 and over), sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy‑related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, reproductive health decisions, domestic victim status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

E-Verify:

Kailera Therapeutics, Inc. uses E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires.