Executive Director, R&D Program Finance - Foster City, CA

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 281,000 - 364,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Stock-based incentives

Comprehensive benefits package (health

Paid time off

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking a senior Program Finance leader to establish a vision for the finance function as a strategic partner across development portfolios. You will drive value-based decision-making with senior R&D and commercial stakeholders, influencing portfolio strategy and long-range planning.

Lead high-impact, data-driven financial analyses, build and coach a diverse team, and embed standardized methodologies, including NPV, risk-adjusted scenarios, and rolling forecasts, to

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or higher with 16+ years’ experience, or Master/PhD with 14+ years.
• 15+ years in R&D Finance or related strategic finance roles in biopharma.
• Strategic systems-level thinking; distills complexity into actionable decisions.

Responsibilities

• Establish and deliver a vision positioning the Program Finance team as a strategic partner enabling value-based decisions across the portfolio.
• Lead end-to-end business case leadership focused on value creation.

Skills

R&D Finance

Strategic finance

Executive leadership

Stakeholder management

Education

PhD in Finance/Biopharma

Tools

Financial modeling

Job description

Key Responsibilities

• Establish and deliver a vision positioning the Program Finance team as a critical strategic partner enabling high-quality, value-based decisions across the development portfolio.
• Lead the evolution from study-level cost support to end-to-end business case leadership focused on value creation.
• Build trusted partnerships with SVP/VP stakeholders across Development, Commercial, PDM, and Finance.
• Ensure Finance is a required voice in PC materials, BD materials, and strategic reviews.
• Build and develop a diverse, high-impact team that influences senior R&D leaders and challenges assumptions with data-driven insights.
• Set high People Leader accountabilities (inclusion, proactive coaching, rigorous talent development) for Program Finance LT leaders.
• Oversee high-quality financial assessments for PC decisions, BD evaluations, Portfolio Review, and Long Range Planning; embed standardized methodologies (e.g., NPV, risk-adjusted frameworks, scenario modeling).
• Drive continuous simplification and automation of financial processes (e.g., IPE simplification, rolling forecast enablement).
• Ensure robust financial governance, policy adherence, and audit-ready processes (e.g., SOX, EY compliance).

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s + 16 years’ experience OR Master’s + 14 years’ OR PhD + 14 years’.

Preferred Qualifications / Skills

• 15+ years in R&D Finance or related strategic finance roles in biopharma.
• Strategic systems-level thinking; distills complexity into actionable decisions.
• Proven team builder/coaching track record and inclusive leadership.
• Executive presence; strong storytelling and influence skills.
• Proactive change leadership.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented partner grounded in core values.

People Leader Accountabilities

• Create Inclusion; Develop Talent; Empower Teams.

Benefits/Compensation (if eligible)

• Salary range: $281,010.00–$363,660.00; may include discretionary bonus, stock-based incentives, paid time off, and company-sponsored medical/dental/vision/life.