Associate Director, IT Finance (FP&A) - Foster City, CA

Gilead Sciences•Foster City, CA

About The Position

The Associate Director, IT Finance serves as the primary business partner to the VP of IT and leads financial planning, forecasting, and decision-support activities. The role works cross-functionally to provide strategic financial insights, support business priorities, and drive effective resource allocation. It builds partnerships across IT and Finance and helps ensure technology investments deliver business value and align with organizational strategy. The position leads planning and forecasting across several areas in IT, supports capital and operating expense investment decisions, and oversees monthly and quarterly close and reporting processes. It collaborates with Controllership on accounting treatment for complex initiatives, improves financial processes, and provides analyses and project support to executive leadership. The role also includes people-leader responsibilities, including creating an inclusive environment, developing talent, and empowering teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and ten years of experience, or master's degree and eight years of experience.
In-depth proficiency in accounting and finance, including knowledge of US GAAP.
In-depth knowledge of IT, Business Intelligence, planning, and ERP systems.
Proficiency with Microsoft tools.
Excellent interpersonal skills, an inquisitive mindset, and ability to work effectively across multiple functions.
Ability to establish credibility quickly with diverse audiences and be perceived as a leader.
Business savvy, financial acumen, technical knowledge of analytics, business foresight, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, deliver results, meet and exceed goals, take ownership of problems, and make sound decisions.
Ability to align and motivate a team to achieve objectives, including financial results, timely and accurate reporting, transparency, and controls.
Independent, proactive leadership and commitment to continuous improvement and challenging the status quo.
Strong influencing capabilities and ability to maintain open, transparent communication channels.

Nice To Haves

At least 10 years of experience with a BA/BS or 8 years with an MBA, with positions of increasing scope and responsibility.
At least 2–4 years of experience as a senior finance leader and business partner.
Prior experience in biotechnology or pharmaceuticals.
Experience in a high-growth, multinational organization.

Responsibilities

Lead three-year strategic planning, the annual operating plan (budget), and ongoing forecast processes for several areas in IT.
Provide actionable, business-driven insights and scenario analyses to inform leadership decision-making.
Partner with IT to evaluate and support investment decisions requiring capital and operating expense funding, aligning them with strategic priorities and financial objectives.
Oversee monthly and quarterly close processes, including expense accruals, management reporting, and budget-to-actual variance analysis.
Communicate results and key drivers to IT leadership and senior Finance executives.
Collaborate with Controllership to assess and align on accounting treatment for complex and strategic initiatives, including AI programs, business-direct investment projects, and infrastructure-related projects.
Identify and implement process improvements to enhance the efficiency, accuracy, and effectiveness of financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis.
Provide ad hoc financial analyses and project support to executive leadership for critical business decisions and strategic initiatives, including value realization (ROI) for IT investments.
Lead, attract, train, and develop a team of finance professionals.
Create inclusion, develop talent, and empower teams by aligning goals and providing support to remove barriers.

Benefits

Potential eligibility for a discretionary annual bonus.
Potential eligibility for discretionary stock-based long-term incentives, depending on role.
Paid time off.
Company-sponsored medical insurance.
Company-sponsored dental insurance.
Company-sponsored vision insurance.
Company-sponsored life insurance.

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