Senior Director, Controller

Lycia Therapeutics • South San Francisco, CA

23h • $265,000 - $290,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Lycia Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Director, Controller to lead the company’s accounting and financial reporting functions during a pivotal period of growth. Reporting to the SVP, Finance, this leader will own the integrity of Lycia’s financial statements, direct the monthly and quarterly close process, lead the annual audit, and ensure the company’s accounting infrastructure scales with its ambitions. This is a high-visibility role that partners closely with senior leadership and the audit committee on complex accounting matters and cross-functional financial operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; CPA required
• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including at least 3 years in a Controller or Assistant Controller capacity; Big 4 public accounting experience strongly preferred
• Public company accounting experience required, including demonstrated ownership of financial statement preparation and audit management under public company reporting timelines
• Biotech or life sciences industry experience required; familiarity with clinical-stage accounting (CRO accrual methodology, collaboration revenue, grant accounting) strongly preferred
• Hands-on proficiency with NetSuite and Workiva required; experience with Point Purchasing or comparable procurement platforms a plus
• Deep technical accounting knowledge of U.S. GAAP, with particular facility in ASC 718 (stock-based compensation), ASC 842 (leases), ASC 808/606 (collaboration and revenue), and equity accounting
• Demonstrated ability to build and document internal controls in a dynamic, high-growth environment
• Strong communicator with the ability to translate complex accounting positions clearly for non-accountants, auditors, and senior leadership

Nice To Haves

• Big 4 public accounting experience strongly preferred
• familiarity with clinical-stage accounting (CRO accrual methodology, collaboration revenue, grant accounting) strongly preferred
• experience with Point Purchasing or comparable procurement platforms a plus

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end financial close process, including general ledger, accounts payable, payroll, and accruals, delivering accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in compliance with U.S. GAAP
• Serve as the company’s primary technical accounting resource, researching and documenting positions on complex transactions including collaboration agreements, equity instruments, clinical trial accruals, in-process R&D, and lease accounting
• Lead preparation and maintenance of financial statements and supporting schedules in Workiva, ensuring disclosures are accurate, complete, and audit-ready
• Direct the annual financial statement audit and quarterly review processes; manage auditor relationships, PBC schedules, and audit timelines
• Oversee federal, state, and local tax compliance and filings in coordination with external tax advisors; manage tax provisions and ensure timely filing of all required returns
• Design, implement, and maintain a robust internal control environment appropriate for a company operating under public company accounting standards
• Oversee treasury operations including cash management, banking relationships, and short-term investment oversight
• Administer equity accounting in coordination with legal and external stock plan administrators; ensure accuracy of stock-based compensation expense and capitalization table reporting
• Manage NetSuite as the system of record, partnering with IT and FP&A on chart of accounts governance, reporting configuration, and process improvements; oversee Point Purchasing for procure-to-pay workflows and approval controls
• Identify and implement AI-enabled tools and process automation to drive efficiency across the close, reporting, and controls functions; build a culture of continuous improvement within the accounting team
• Build and develop a high-performing accounting team; hire, mentor, and retain talent as the company grows
• Partner with the SVP, Finance on board and audit committee financial materials, technical accounting memos, and ad hoc analytical support as needed
• Partner with SVP, Finance on cash burn analysis, runway modeling, and program-level cost tracking; provide accounting-level input into the long-range financial plan and investor-facing financial narratives

Benefits

• annual bonus
• equity
• generous benefits package

What This Job Offers

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