Senior Director of Accounting

Title: Senior Director of Accounting

Company Industry: Publicly Traded Life Sciences Company

Compensation: $215K - $245K + 25% bonus + equity

Schedule & Location: Mostly remote with occasional travel to San Diego

Overview

Our client, a global publicly traded life sciences company, is seeking a Senior Director of Accounting to oversee and scale its global accounting operations. This is a senior leadership role within the finance organization responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong internal controls, and efficient accounting processes in a growing public company environment.

This role will lead core accounting functions and oversee the monthly close and financial reporting processes while partnering cross-functionally with finance leadership and other internal stakeholders. The position will also play a key role in strengthening systems, processes, and internal controls as the company continues to grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee core accounting operations including general ledger, payables, receivables, payroll, and the month-end close process.
• Manage the financial reporting cycle, including preparation and review of required public company filings and supporting documentation.
• Lead the consolidation process across multiple entities and ensure accurate financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, accounting policies, and reporting processes to support compliance and audit readiness.
• Partner with internal teams including finance leadership and operational stakeholders to support financial planning and reporting needs.
• Drive process improvements and system enhancements to increase efficiency and scalability across the accounting organization.
• Lead, mentor, and develop members of the accounting team.

Qualifications

• 12+ years of progressive accounting experience, including leadership roles in public company or large private company environments.
• Experience in life sciences, biotech, or other regulated industries.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, consolidation, and public company reporting requirements.
• Experience overseeing full accounting operations and close processes.
• Familiarity with equity or stock-based compensation accounting.
• Proven ability to lead teams and improve accounting processes in a growing organization.
• CPA required.

Preferred

• Background supporting high-growth or publicly traded companies.
• Experience working in multi-entity or global accounting environments.

Determining compensation for this role (and others) at Vaco/Highspring depends upon a wide array of factors including but not limited to the individual's skill sets, experience and training, licensure and certifications, office location and other geographic considerations, as well as other business and organizational needs. With that said, as required by local law in geographies that require salary range disclosure, Vaco/Highspring notes the salary range for the role is noted in this job posting. The individual may also be eligible for discretionary bonuses, and can participate in medical, dental, and vision benefits as well as the company's 401(k) retirement plan. Additional disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted in the job description, the position Vaco/Highspring is filing for is occupied. Please note, however, that Vaco/Highspring is regularly asked to provide talent to other organizations. By submitting to this position, you are agreeing to be included in our talent pool for future hiring for similarly qualified positions. Submissions to this position are subject to the use of AI to perform preliminary candidate screenings, focused on ensuring minimum job requirements noted in the position are satisfied. Further assessment of candidates beyond this initial phase within Vaco/Highspring will be otherwise assessed by recruiters and hiring managers. Vaco/Highspring does not have knowledge of the tools used by its clients in making final hiring decisions and cannot opine on their use of AI products.