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Senior Director, Controller
Job Location:
Job Location:
San Mateo, CA - USA
Yearly Salary:
USD 240000 - 301000
Yearly Salary:
Posted:
29 September 2026 (6 days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
27 December 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The role: BigHat Biosciences is seeking a detail-driven proactive and analytical Controller to serve as BigHats senior accounting leader and architect of its finance infrastructure at a pivotal stage of growth. This role is for someone who enjoys solving complex accounting challenges focuses on continuous process improvements thrives in a fast-paced environment and is a true builder. You will own the full accounting function from close and financial reporting to technical accounting equity tax and compliance. Youll also be designing and/or improving the systems controls and processes required for a future public-company operating environment.
The right candidate brings accounting experience from a high-growth biotech pharma or life sciences company (with exposure to CRO accruals and R&D program cost tracking) hands-on NetSuite (or similar) implementation or migration experience and the technical rigor to independently research and document complex GAAP positions. You are comfortable serving as the primary interface with external auditors capable of building an internal Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) Compliance control framework from the ground up and ready to lead the companys transition off QuickBooks as we scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Serve as BigHats in-house technical accounting authority; research and prepare position memos on complex transactions new GAAP pronouncements and company-specific accounting policy decisions analyzing and communicating risks and benefits effectively.
- Executes general ledger operations leading financial close process to ensure accurate and timely US GAAP financial statements.
- Drive R&D accounting across CRO and vendor accruals prepaids and program-level cost tracking bringing structure and visibility to one of the companys largest spend categories.
- Build and deliver financial reporting packages and board-level management decks; translate financial results and key metrics into clear narratives for executive leadership and the Board.
- Design implement and maintain a SOX compliance internal control framework scaled for a high-growth company balancing rigor with operational practicality as the company grows.
- Lead audit readiness; drive clean timely delivery of annual financial statement audits in accordance with GAAP.
- Manage federal state and local tax compliance in coordination with external advisors; lead R&D tax credit studies and other R&D-related tax matters.
- Evaluate and implement AI-enabled tools and finance technology including procure-to-pay and close management tools to reduce manual effort improve auditability and strengthen data integrity at scale.
- Own payroll administration and equity accounting and plan administration under ASC 718 (including stock-based compensation expense 409A valuation support cap table integrity and related financial statement disclosures).
- Own NetSuite ERP implementation including processes and controls while maintaining segregation of duties.
Skills Knowledge and Expertise
- Bachelors or Masters in Finance Accounting or Business preferred. Active CPA license.
- 10 years of professional experience in accounting including 3 years of experience in a public biotech company.
- Prior Controller or Assistant Controller experience at a venture-backed biotech or life sciences company strongly preferred.
- Strong command of US GAAP and technical accounting standards.
- Big 4 audit experience.
- Hands-on public company reporting experience; have personally prepared or reviewed Forms 10-Q and 10-K at a public company.
- Experience with CRO/CDMO contract accounting and accrual estimation.
- Hands-on experience with NetSuite or a comparable ERP including comfort operating through a system migration.
- Familiarity with SOX/ICFR build-out in a pre-IPO environment.
- A track record of embedding AI tools to accounting and finance workflows.
- Experience managing and transitioning outsourced accounting or consultant relationships in-house.
- Demonstrated success in building and managing teams to achieve financial and business goals.
- Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to convey complex information to diverse audiences.
- Comfort with uncertainty and demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment under tight timelines and independently determine appropriate action where precedent may not exist.
- Detail-oriented and results-driven with bias for action and sense of urgency.
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with high expectations and ability to effectively manage multiple competing priorities effectively.
- Strong project management skills and experience managing multiple vendors and external partners.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to influence collaborate resolve conflicts and build consensus with diverse stakeholders.
Total Rewards
The salary estimated for this position is $240000 - $301000 bonus options benefits. Compensation will vary depending on job-related knowledge skills and experience. Actual compensation will be confirmed in writing at the time of the offer.
Required Experience:
Exec
About Company
BigHat Biosciences designs safer, more effective biologic therapies for patients using machine learning and synthetic biology. BigHat integrates a wet lab for high-speed characterization with machine learning technologies to guide the search for better antibodies. We apply these desig ... View more
