Job Title: Associate Director, Assistant Controller

Location: San Diego, California

Job Type: Full-Time

Who We Are

Avenzo Therapeutics, Inc. (“Avenzo”) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing next-generation oncology therapies for patients. The company was co-founded in 2022 by Drs. Athena Countouriotis and Mohammad Hirmand (former CEO and CMO of Turning Point Therapeutics, Inc. respectively). With a proven track record in building and scaling biotech companies, our experienced management team is passionate about and committed to building a pipeline of potential best-in-class targeted oncology programs. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California.

Position Summary

Reporting to the Executive Director, Controller, the Associate Director, Assistant Controller will play a key role in managing the company’s accounting operations and ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant financial reporting. This role partners closely with the Controller and cross-functional teams to support a fast-paced, clinical-stage biotech environment, including general accounting, accounts payable, clinical accounting, and compliance with GAAP and internal controls.

Essential Job Functions and Responsibilities

Manage the day-to-day accounting operations of the general ledger and accounts payable function
Lead and manage monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
Support the Controller in managing payroll-related activities and accounting systems
Prepare and review journal entries, account reconciliations, financial statement fluctuation analysis, and leverage statistical skills for data analysis as needed
Accountable for certain R&D related activities and providing support for clinical trial accounting as needed
Develop and maintain accounting policies and internal controls
Assist with external audits, tax filings, and regulatory reporting
Identify and act on opportunities to improve accounting processes, systems, and controls; help scale processes as the company grows
Implement and optimize accounting systems and tools (e.g., ERP, expense management, AP Workflow system)
Manage and review the work of accounting staff, as applicable
Participate in or lead special projects and support various accounting-related duties as needed
Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, Clinical, HR, and Legal teams

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required, or a related area degree preferred (e.g., MBA) with 8+ years of progressive accounting experience in the life sciences industry, or an equivalent combination of academic and industry experience
Experience working for a public company
CPA or CPA-eligible strongly preferred
Strong understanding of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX), and relevant regulatory requirements
Extensive experience with monthly and quarterly close, audits, and internal controls
Hands-on experience with accounting systems/ERPs; ADP Workforce Now, NetSuite, AP Workflow systems (e.g. Coupa, Prendio), expense management (e.g/. Concur, etc.)
Prior experience as an Assistant Controller or equivalent in a high-growth pre-IPO biotech company is a plus
Experience scaling accounting processes with company growth and managing an accounting team
Experience with accounting for R&D activities, clinical trials, and collaboration agreements; working directly with contract research organizations and R&D teams
Advanced Excel skills; comfortable working with large datasets
Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, with a strategic mindset

Physical Demands and Work Environment

Physical Demands:

Constant or continuous use of a computer keyboard, monitor and mouse to perform a variety of tasks
Constant or frequent sitting, standing or walking
May lift and/or move objects of various weights

Work Environment:

On-site requirement (Monday through Thursday)
Noise level in the work environment is usually moderate
Fast-paced, time sensitive environment with frequently changing priorities
Handle multiple projects simultaneously

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Anticipated Base Salary Range

The anticipated salary range for candidates is $186,600 to $194,500 per year. The final pay offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on several factors that may include, but are not limited to, the type and years of experience within the job and the industry, education, and skills and certifications.

Anticipated Benefits

Provided they meet all eligibility requirements under the applicable plan documents, employees (and their eligible dependents) will be eligible to enroll in group healthcare plans that offer medical, dental, vision, and basic life and AD&D insurance. Additional benefit programs include short-term and long-term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings account, and voluntary insurance programs including voluntary life and AD&D accident, and critical illness. Employees also will be able to enroll in our company’s 401(k) plan. Employees will also receive 10 hours of paid vacation time every month, and accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. Employees will also enjoy 17 paid holidays, including a winter closure, throughout the calendar year, subject to relevant terms outlined in the employee handbook. Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to 8 weeks of paid parental and/or medical leave. Eligibility requirements for these benefits will be controlled by applicable plan documents.

Anticipated Other Compensation

Hired applicant will be eligible for an annual discretionary bonus based on achievement of certain metrics of up to 20% of annual base salary. Hired applicant will also receive an equity grant in the form of a direct grant of stock options that will be specified in the employment contract, all subject to the relevant plan documents.

The information above is intended to provide a general description of benefits and other compensation and is not a substitute for applicable plan documents or company policies.

Equal Employment Employer

Avenzo is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to an individual’s actual or perceived protected characteristic or characteristics, or any combination of protected characteristics including race (including traits associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locks, and twists), ethnicity, religion, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniformed service member and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age (40 and over), protected medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions), genetic information, disability (mental and physical), reproductive health decision-making, medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), the employee or their family member’s status as a victim of a qualifying act of violence, political activity or affiliation, use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, association with an individual who has, or is perceived to have, a protected characteristic or characteristics, or any combination of protected characteristics, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Notice to Search Firms/Third Party Agencies

Avenzo does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies without an executed search agreement in place.

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