Controller

Position Overview

We are seeking a highly strategic and operationally sophisticated Controller to architect and lead the next phase of the company’s financial infrastructure and accounting operations. This individual will serve as a key finance leader during a period of rapid growth, helping establish the rigor, scalability, and operational discipline required for a world-class organization.

The ideal candidate is both visionary and execution-oriented: someone who embraces modern finance technologies, including AI-enabled workflows and automation, while maintaining uncompromising standards around accuracy, controls, and financial stewardship. This role requires a builder’s mindset, strong business judgment, and the ability to operate effectively in an evolving, high-growth environment.

This leader will partner closely with executive leadership, external advisors, auditors, investors, and cross-functional teams to strengthen financial operations, improve organizational visibility, and help position the company for long-term strategic expansion.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Accounting & Financial Leadership

• Lead all core accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll, treasury, and monthly close activities

• Oversee the preparation of timely, accurate, and decision-useful monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting

• Establish scalable accounting policies, governance frameworks, and internal control environments appropriate for a rapidly evolving organization

• Ensure compliance with GAAP and other applicable financial and regulatory standards

• Partner with external audit firms, tax advisors, banking institutions, and financial service providers to support the company’s evolving operational needs

• Drive continuous enhancement of financial reporting quality, operational transparency, and organizational accountability

• Oversee cash management, liquidity planning, and banking relationships

Operational Scale & Systems Transformation

• Build and modernize financial infrastructure capable of supporting substantial organizational growth and increasing operational complexity

• Champion process automation and intelligent workflow design, leveraging emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools where appropriate to improve efficiency, scalability, and insight generation

• Evaluate, implement, and optimize financial systems, ERP platforms, and reporting technologies to strengthen operational performance

• Develop executive and board-level reporting frameworks, dashboards, and KPI visibility tools that support strategic decision-making

• Strengthen enterprise-wide financial processes to support future readiness, operational resilience, and scalable governance

Cross-Functional & External Partnership

• Partner closely with executive leadership on forecasting, budgeting, strategic planning, and organizational prioritization

• Collaborate across Finance, Operations, HR, Legal, and scientific leadership to align financial processes with business objectives

• Support financing activities, investor diligence processes, and strategic transactions as needed

• Serve as a trusted advisor to functional leaders by providing actionable financial insights and operational guidance

• Build strong relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, consultants, legal counsel, and institutional partners

Team Development & Organizational Leadership

• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting and finance organization

• Foster a culture grounded in operational excellence, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement

• Develop scalable organizational structures, workflows, and operating rhythms that evolve alongside company growth

• Elevate the finance function into a proactive strategic partner across the business

Qualifications

Required

• 10+ years of progressive accounting and finance leadership experience, including substantial experience within high-growth or rapidly scaling organizations

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or related discipline; CPA

• Demonstrated success building and evolving financial infrastructure in dynamic, fast-paced environments

• Deep understanding of GAAP, financial reporting, internal controls, and accounting operations

• Experience leading audits, managing external accounting relationships, and navigating increasingly sophisticated operational requirements

• Strong systems orientation with experience implementing scalable processes and financial technologies

• Exceptional analytical, organizational, and communication skills

• Proven ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders and operate effectively in ambiguous, rapidly evolving environments

Preferred

• Experience with NetSuite or other enterprise ERP platforms

• Familiarity with AI-enabled finance tools, workflow automation technologies, and modern financial systems architecture

• Experience supporting venture-backed, growth-stage, or technology-driven organizations

• Background within biotechnology, healthcare, diagnostics, life sciences, or adjacent innovation-focused industries preferred

What Success Looks Like

• Financial operations scale seamlessly alongside organizational growth

• Reporting, controls, and operational processes provide leadership with high-confidence visibility and actionable insight

• The finance organization becomes increasingly predictive, technology-enabled, and strategically integrated across the business

• Systems, governance frameworks, and operational rigor mature proactively ahead of company complexity

• Leadership, investors, and external stakeholders develop strong confidence in the integrity and scalability of the company’s financial infrastructure

Location: Onsite, San Diego, CA

Employment Type: Full-Time

Compensation: The starting salary range for this position ($190,000.00 - $230,000.00) encompasses multiple job levels. Final compensation, including title and level, will be determined based on a candidate's qualifications, experience, and demonstrated skills throughout the hiring process.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We thrive on diversity and collaboration.