Financial Business Partner Lead

Gates Foundation • Cambridge, MA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Gates Medical Research Institute (Gates MRI) is a non-profit biopharmaceutical development organization focused on creating impactful biopharmaceutical interventions for diseases affecting the world's poorest populations. Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, the Institute aims to advance novel drug, biologics, and vaccine candidates through late-stage development and registration. It comprises experienced biopharmaceutical development professionals and operational support staff, working collaboratively with internal teams and external partners. The Institute operates on five core values: Urgency, Collaboration, Innovation, Rigor, and Courage. As a subsidiary of the Gates Foundation, it leverages the foundation's support for global health equity. This role offers flexible work arrangements for local candidates (50% on-site) with a relocation package, but remote arrangements are not available.

This position serves as a Financial Business Partner Lead, supporting strategic decision-making across the organization. The role acts as a crucial link between Finance and operational teams, providing financial insights, challenging assumptions, and driving performance improvements from a financial perspective. Reporting to the Head of Business Planning & Analysis, the individual will lead the financial aspects of several programs and serve as the finance business partner for the R&D functions at Gates MRI.

Requirements

• 10-15+ years of experience in progressive finance roles in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• A bachelor’s degree in business, finance, accounting or related field required.
• Strong financial acumen and experience in financial analysis, business case development, budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning.
• Deep understanding of drug development; from preclinical through commercialization.
• Team-first mentality with strong interpersonal, communication and influencing skills.
• Ability to translate financial concepts to employees at all levels and across all functions.
• Comfortable communicating with senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to set priorities and meet stated deadlines.
• The highest level of integrity and understanding risk and reputational issues impacting an enterprise.
• Self-starter and results-oriented individual who is comfortable with the ambiguity related to working in a fast-paced, development-stage biotech environment.
• Strong Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint skills.

Nice To Haves

• Global Health experience is a plus.
• An additional degree in the biological sciences or MBA is preferred.
• Experience with Adaptive Insights & ClearTrial experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Act as a finance business partner and thought leader to Global Product Teams (GPTs), translating development strategy and timelines into financial plans and contributing to portfolio and organizational strategy.
• Serve as a finance business partner to the R&D functions, providing strong financial leadership and ensuring alignment between the functions and program strategy.
• Translate financial data into clear, actionable insights for non-financial stakeholders, ensuring information connects operational performance to financials for better strategic decision-making.
• Drive financial accountability across GPTs and functions through reporting, analytics, and educational initiatives.
• Act as a strategic partner to the Head of Business Planning & Analysis, developing and enhancing meaningful financial analytics for programs and functions.
• Partner with Program Teams and Functions to plan and manage the financial aspects of the long-range planning process.
• Prepare clinical trial cost estimates and timelines in collaboration with the Head of Business Planning & Analysis and Global Health Strategy Finance Teams.
• Provide financial evaluation of new initiatives, investments, and business cases.
• Collaborate with the Head of Business Planning & Analysis and CFO on financial models and potential partnership and collaboration deals with external third parties.
• Contribute to process development and continuous improvement within the finance and accounting team.

Benefits

• Flexible work arrangements for local candidates (50% on site)
• Competitive relocation package for those looking to move to the Cambridge, MA area
• Competitive pay

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior