Executive Director, Accounting and Finance

About Helsinn

Founded in 2009 and headquartered in Iselin, New Jersey, Helsinn Therapeutics (U.S.), Inc. is a specialty, fully integrated pharmaceutical company and part of the global Helsinn Group, which has over 45 years of experience in healthcare. Our U.S. subsidiary plays a crucial role in advancing our mission to provide innovative and life-enhancing treatments for patients suffering from cancer and chronic diseases.

About the Role

The Executive Director of Accounting & Finance will oversee all accounting and financial operations, ensuring the company's financial health and compliance with regulatory requirements. This role involves strategic financial planning, risk management, and leadership of the accounting and finance teams. Reporting to HTU’s Country Head, the position has three direct reports and will liaise closely with the Group’s Chief Financial Officer, who is based in Lugano, Switzerland.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Financial Leadership: Develop and implement financial strategies to support the company's growth and profitability goals.
• Financial Reporting: Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting in compliance with GAAP, IFRS and other regulatory requirements.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the budgeting and forecasting processes, providing insights and recommendations to senior management.
• Risk Management: Identify and mitigate financial risks, ensuring robust internal controls and compliance with all relevant laws and regulations.
• Team Leadership: Manage and mentor the accounting and finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including auditors, investors, and regulatory bodies.
• Mergers and Acquisitions: Provide financial due diligence and integration support for mergers, acquisitions, and other strategic initiatives.
• Operational Efficiency: Drive process improvements and efficiencies within the finance function.
• Negotiate and manage the business insurance plans and work in conjunction with Human Resources regarding the company's employee benefits plans.
• Government Price reporting – review AMP/ASP/Best Price, etc. reporting to CMS
• Establish guidelines for budget and forecast preparation, and prepare the budgets in consultation with the Country Head, and Group Management
• Negotiate with Bank for lines of credit or other financial services as required and appropriate.
• Oversee the management of all leases, contracts, and other financial commitments.
• Taxes: review of tax provision, tax returns (federal and state), ensure compliance with all tax filings

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, or a related field; CPA or MBA preferred.

Required Skills

• Strong knowledge of GAAP & IFRS, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent analytical, strategic planning, and communication skills.
• Proficiency in financial software and ERP systems.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial modeling.
• Ability to manage complex financial projects and initiatives.

Preferred Skills

• Leadership: Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively across functions.
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive change within an organization.
• Ability to work in an international environment, with prior experience in a multinational corporation.

Certifications

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) or CMA (Certified Management Accountant) preferred.

Industry Knowledge

• In-depth understanding of the pharmaceutical industry, including regulatory requirements and industry trends.
• In-depth understanding of pricing models, including buy and build, 340B, PHS, value-based pricing
• Knowledgeable on Patient Assistance programs including co-pay
• Knowledgeable in US Government price reporting requirements for the pharmaceutical industry.

Personal Characteristics

• Behave Ethically: Understand ethical behavior and business practices and ensure own behavior and the behavior of others is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
• Build Relationships: Establish and maintain positive working relationships with others both internally and externally to achieve the goals of the organization.
• Communicate Effectively: Speak, listen and write in a clear, thorough and timely manner using appropriate and effective communication tools and techniques.
• Focus on Client Needs: Anticipate, understand, and respond to the needs of internal and external clients to meet or exceed their expectations within the organizational parameters.
• Foster Teamwork: Work cooperatively and effectively with others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance organizational effectiveness.
• Lead: Positively influence others to achieve results that are in the best interests of the organization.
• Make Decisions: Assess situations to determine the importance, urgency and risks, and make clear decisions which are timely and in the best interests of the organization
• Organize: Set priorities, develop a work schedule, monitor progress towards goals, and track details, data, information and activities.
• Plan: Determine strategies to move the organization forward, set goals, create and implement actions plans, and evaluate the process and results.
• Solve Problems: Assess problem situations to identify causes, gather and process relevant information, generate possible solutions, and make recommendations and/or resolve the problem.