Director/Senior Director Finance

About the role

Flagship Pioneering, Inc. is seeking a Director or Senior Director of Finance to join its team in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This role oversees financial planning, analysis, and reporting functions that support the company's portfolio of life sciences ventures and internal operations. The position works closely with senior leadership to drive strategic financial decisions across the organization. Candidates will manage a team of finance professionals and contribute to the growth of Flagship's innovative ecosystem. The role involves significant interaction with portfolio company management and external stakeholders on a regular basis. This is a high-impact position that shapes the financial direction of the firm and its ventures.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead financial planning and analysis for the company's portfolio companies and internal operations
• Prepare detailed financial models to support investment decisions and long-term strategic planning
• Manage the annual budgeting process and ensure accurate forecasting across all business units
• Oversee monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting for internal and external stakeholders
• Collaborate with the leadership team to evaluate new venture opportunities and assess financial viability
• Direct a team of finance professionals and provide mentorship and performance guidance
• Develop and maintain financial policies, procedures, and internal controls for the organization
• Monitor cash flow, capital allocation, and funding strategies to support company growth objectives
• Partner with external auditors and advisors during annual audits and financial reviews
• Present financial insights and recommendations to the executive team and board of directors
• Analyze market trends and competitive landscape to inform long-term financial strategy and planning
• Ensure compliance with all applicable financial regulations, reporting standards, and governance requirements
• Coordinate with legal and compliance teams on financial due diligence for new ventures
• Drive process improvements in financial operations and reporting efficiency across the organization

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, economics, or a related field is required
• Minimum of ten years of progressive experience in finance, with at least five in a leadership capacity
• Strong understanding of venture capital or life sciences industry financial operations is preferred
• Demonstrated experience managing and developing high-performing finance teams in a corporate setting
• Proficiency in financial modeling, forecasting, and variance analysis techniques is expected
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for presenting complex financial data clearly
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and senior executive leadership
• Deep knowledge of GAAP accounting principles and financial reporting standards is essential
• Experience with investor reporting and fund-level financial management in a venture context
• Track record of building and scaling finance functions in fast-growing organizations

Nice to have

• An MBA or advanced degree in finance or business administration from a top institution
• Prior experience working within a venture capital or innovation-driven organization is highly valued
• Familiarity with life sciences and biotechnology industry financial models, valuation methods, and structures
• Prior experience with board-level financial reporting and investor relations activities is valued
• Background in public company accounting or Big Four consulting experience is a plus

Skills & tools

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial modeling software is expected
• Hands-on experience with enterprise resource planning systems and financial management platforms
• Strong command of accounting software platforms such as QuickBooks or NetSuite
• Working familiarity with data visualization tools for financial reporting and dashboards
• Working knowledge of tax compliance and regulatory reporting frameworks is helpful
• Ability to use SQL or Python for financial data analysis and automation
• Experience with board portal software and investor presentation tools is beneficial
• Familiarity with venture capital fund accounting and waterfall distribution calculations is helpful

Practical notes

• This position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with regular in-office presence expected
• The role reports to the Chief Financial Officer or equivalent senior executive at Flagship Pioneering
• Candidates should be prepared to work full-time hours with occasional travel to portfolio company sites
• The hiring process includes multiple interview rounds with finance and executive leadership team members
• Flagship Pioneering, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled