Executive Director, R&D Finance

Company Description

Zai Lab Limited (NASDAQ: ZLAB; HKEX: 9688) is an innovative, research-based, commercial-stage biopharmaceutical company based in China and the United States focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative products that address medical conditions with significant unmet needs in the areas of oncology, immunology, neuroscience , and infectious disease. Our goal is to leverage our competencies and resources to positively impact human health in China and worldwide.

Zai Lab has its U.S. headquarters in Cambridge, Mass. and R&D functions in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego, where its U.S.-based clinical development and clinical operations teams reside. Founded in 2014, our experienced team has secured partnerships with leading global biopharmaceutical companies, generating a broad late-stage pipeline of innovative drug candidates. Our unique business model builds on our in-licensed assets and innovative partnerships to expand our internal discovery and development capabilities and has created a portfolio of potential best-in-class and/or first-in-class therapies. Zai currently has seven approved products in China.

Zai Lab was successfully listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market in September 2017 and completed secondary listing on Hong Kong Stock Exchange in September 2020. In 2022, Zai Lab became dual-primary listed on both the Nasdaq and the Hong Kong Stock Exchanges. 
 

Job Description

The Executive Director, R&D Finance will be a key member of the R&D leadership team, reporting to the CFO. This role oversees R&D Business Planning, Trial Forecasting, Project Finance Support, and Functional Finance Management. This individual will provide Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) and decision support to the Senior R&D Leadership Team, oversee the annual budget and quarterly forecasts, and supervise month-end accounting close activities. This role is critical in driving financial performance, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring the efficient allocation of resources to maximize the impact of R&D investments. This position is based in our South San Francisco, CA office.

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Serve as an integral part of the Research and Clinical Development Leadership teams, with a dotted line reporting to President/EVP level R&D Leadership. Provide ongoing financial support and align financial investments with overall functional and R&D strategy to drive decision making.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Collaborate with internal stakeholders and lead the team to create a robust annual budget and quarterly forecasts. Identify drivers of variances and recommend investment opportunities. Partner with leadership teams to prioritize and eliminate spend, achieving financial targets and driving financial discipline.
• R&D Program Finance Support: Work with the R&D organization to provide robust decision support analysis (eNPV analysis) for all clinical program investment decisions. Play an integral role in the Long-Range Plan for R&D programs.
• Clinical Trial Support: Ensure clinical trials are supported from a forecasting and governance perspective. Ensure programs are appropriately staffed and all studies gain approval from the necessary governance committees before committing spend.
• Alliance Management Support: Lead financial planning, resource allocation, and expense allocation with partners for in-licensed/out-licensed programs.
• Team Leadership: Lead and develop a high-performing R&D finance team, fostering a culture of excellence and continuous improvement.
   

Qualifications

REQUIRED:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting with 15+ years of progressive finance experience 
• Finance experience in biotech/pharma industry, preferably in R&D.

PREFERRED:

• MBA or CPA.
• Ability to engage and influence senior R&D and other key stakeholders.
• Excellent modelling and PowerPoint skills.
• International work experience.
• Proven track record of solid business judgement and decision-making skills with the ability to plan effectively and execute to deadlines.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment, navigate through ambiguity, and drive change.
• Detail-orientated with the highest regard for accuracy and completeness.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to build relationships at all organizational levels.
• Strong leadership, collaboration, and teamwork in cross-functional settings; comfortable with hands-on leadership.
• Creative and innovative team player with a positive approach and a focus on business solutions.
• Ability to manage and develop high-performing teams.
• Fluency in both Mandarin and English.
• Ability to work across