Controller, (Sr.) Director - Accounting & Finance

Controller, (Sr.) Director - Accounting & Finance

Seattle, WA

Job Description. 

Cajal is seeking a Controller, (Sr.) Director of Accounting & Finance motivated by Cajal’s mission to develop novel medicines for patients. Our team members thrive on getting things done, and eagerly navigate the uncertainty of an ever-changing and fast-paced environment in a pre-clinical biotech company, moving quickly toward the clinic.  

Initially reporting to the Co-Founder & Co-CEO, you will be a leader/player, guiding the financial health and compliance for Cajal. You will balance strategic planning and stage-appropriate readiness with operating day-to-day accounting needs. This job will frequently interact with all levels of the organization, and will partner with the VP, Corporate Development & Strategy on programmatic forecasting and modeling.  Reporting into this role will be a fractional Accountant as well as a budget to manage additional fractional support to be determined in partnership with the Co-Founder & Co-CEO. Cajal’s growth and your recommendations will commensurately lead the evolution of this structure.

Responsibilities:

• Guide, optimize and operate Cajal’s Accounting & Finance function
• Drive and administer stage-appropriate readiness for Cajal’s processes, practices, policies, people and systems as we move toward the clinic and beyond
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting and processes including monthly and quarterly close, treasury operations, payments, expense reporting, payroll, cost allocations, contracts & POs 
• Manage strong internal controls and compliance with regulatory requirements and accounting standards; continually align to regulatory changes impacting the biotech industry 
• Develop and monitor budgeting and financial forecasts, and provide insights and risk mitigation strategies to ensure Cajal’s financial health & long term objectives
• Liaise with external consultants and advisors to lead our audit and tax processes
• Administer equity, 401K programs and payroll; manage business entity registration and insurance 
• Support Board-level financial reporting, due diligence efforts and interface with external stakeholders, including underwriters and legal counsel, as needed

This job might be great for you if you:

• Education & Certification: Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field; CPA certification and MBA preferred
• Experience: 8+ years in financial management, accounting, and/or auditing roles, with a minimum of 5 years in a leadership capacity
• Technical Skills: Strong operational & technical accounting skills; proficiency in GAAP and SEC reporting requirements paired with exceptional analytical abilities; proficiency in accounting & budgeting software, procurement systems, advanced Excel, Google Suite & Microsoft Office required; direct experience with NetSuite, Bill.com, Carta a plus
• Industry Experience: Biotechnology or life sciences industry experience, including direct experience with the pre-clinical to clinical accounting transition highly preferred; familiarity with pre-IPO and IPO processes is a plus
• Behavioral & Leadership Skills: Startup mentality capable of defining, implementing and operating compliant, stage-appropriate accounting and financial processes; excellent communication, interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and external stakeholders
• High degree of integrity, ethics, and professionalism, with a commitment to upholding the highest standards of financial integrity and compliance

Important Considerations

• Cajal’s science and collaborative culture is supported through our daily onsite connection. 
• The annual base salary range for this role is $180,000-250,000*

*Final salary depends on qualifications, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with location, where applicable.

Company & Benefits

Cajal is a team of people-first individuals, motivated by our shared mission to advance the field of neurodegeneration. We are committed to ensuring that all our team members feel supported, connected, and energized at work. Our team members eagerly navigate the uncertainty and fast-paced environment of an early-stage biotech company and thrive on getting things done. We value creativity and curiosity in our work, and we take pride in the generosity, sincerity, and kindness of our team members.

Benefits include:

• Competitive compensation based on experience level
• Health insurance: 100% coverage of premiums for employee, partner, & all dependents
• Dental insurance: 100% of premiums
• Vision insurance: 100% of premiums
• Life insurance: 100% of premiums for 2x salary coverage
• Access to Flexible Spending Account
• 401(K) Plan with matching contributions
• 5 weeks paid time off plus 13 company holidays (2 floating)
• Cajal Parental Leave Supplement: Supplement to the WA Paid Family & Medical Leave program, bringing  pay to the normal wage for up to 8 weeks for birthing parents or up to 4 weeks for non-birthing parents
• Generous commuter benefits including free metro cards, on site locker rooms/showers/towel service, modern bike cage and free bike tunes

Located in the Eastlake neighborhood of Seattle, Cajal sits at the heart of a vibrant biotech community, directly between research giants such as the Allen Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. We are surrounded by fellow innovative biotech companies and startups and within a stone’s throw of the beautiful Lake Union and the University of Washington. Our state of the art office and labs offer natural light and stunning views of Lake Union, Gasworks Park and the Space Needle downtown. Our kitchen is fully stocked with coffee, tea, and snacks. All desks are sit-stand for maximal comfort and our meeting rooms seamlessly support hybrid teams.

Cajal is an equal opportunity employer that guarantees a work environment that respects and values diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. If you require any accommodations during the recruiting process, please coordinate with your recruiting contact.

To Apply

Please apply with your CV/resume and cover letter via Greenhouse.