Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance – Alexion

Head of Research and Development and Medical Finance – Alexion

Requirements

• Strong business partnering skills and experience
• Bachelor’s degree in finance or accounting
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in finance, accounting or related business area
• Minimum of 5 years of experience within the Pharma industry
• Prior experience of supporting an R&D function
• Experience in a leadership role interacting with senior management. Ability to drive accountability at the right level.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, demonstrated strategic influencing skills
• Strong business knowledge and acuity
• Demonstrated people leadership, coaching and/or mentoring skills
• Proven ability to perform in an environment that emphasizes teamwork

Responsibilities

• Drive financial robustness, productivity, and associated metrics into the key decision-making processes, including rESPC/rLSPC, and be a key member of the rDRC as well as influencing the portfolio prioritization exercises
• Manage the budget to support science, drug development, and regional/global medical activities
• Partner with the Alexion R&D organization across the whole spectrum of drug discovery & research, early and late-stage clinical development, and post-approval medical activities
• Work with the R&D leadership team to deliver system, process, and organization change, including driving robust and controlled clinical development cost management and determination and allocation of internal resources
• Lead and develop a team of finance professionals, attracting and retaining talent
• Be an active member of the Alexion R&D LT, Alexion Finance LT, Global R&D finance leadership team and Global Finance Senior Management Team
• Ensure data accuracy across all reports and analytics provided to senior leaders (actuals and forecasts)
• Design and maintain a long-term finance strategy for the business area aligned to the organization’s overall business strategy. Contribute to strategy development for the business area by shaping strategies and developing business and operational plans
• Challenge, influence, and improve strategies, tactics and plans
• Oversee the development of financial mechanisms in line with corporate objectives to ensure the achievement of long-term business goals
• Partner the business in driving R&D productivities initiatives
• Lead the finance function for Research and Development and Medical in a manner that maximizes contribution to the achievement of business objectives, profitability, and return on investment. Joint accountability with the business for the accuracy of forecasts and leveraging sound understanding of the business model and financial drivers to challenge and influence the key cost drivers
• Drive a technology enabled strategy, including leveraging AI and use of sophisticated models, reports, and forecasts to challenge and strengthen decision-making processes across R&D.
• Optimize key relationships with organizations to take full advantage of efficiencies and meet compliance obligations.
• In partnership with the R&D and Medical Leaders, manage the Business Unit P&L
• Lead finance and cross-functional teams and drive initiatives leading to increase business improvement
• Through best practice stakeholder management techniques, explore needs with internal customers and external suppliers and utilize this information to improve business results leveraging significant commercial and business acumen
• Lead the finance elements of change programs and projects in own area of the business, working with the business to develop and prioritize delivery of the company’s finance strategy for the area
• Ensure that tactical leadership decisions are enforced for the business to achieve its objectives
• Work in partnership with the Business and Specialist Finance colleagues to ensure that an environment of continuous professional development is created and individual and team performance is managed effectively
• Coach and deliver effective performance management to direct and indirect reports creating a supportive work environment where everyone has the opportunity to fulfill their potential
• Lead Finance role in communicating governance and compliance standards and statutory regulations to non-specialists in a way that is understandable and relevant and relays the risk of commercial decisions effectively
• Lead insightful and proactive risk management processes to ensure the organization’s regulations, rules and process are adhered to; highlighting areas of concern

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability as an agent of change in a dynamic work environment
• CPA
• MBA