Associate Director, R&D Financial Planning & Analysis

The Position

The Associate Director, R&D Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) will support the Arrowhead R&D organization in preparation of budgets, forecasts, long range plans, and strategic investments for growth. This role will collaborate with key stakeholders across the company, including but not limited to Clinical Operations, Regulatory, Medical Affairs, as well as oversight of our clinical trial portfolio. This role presents an exciting opportunity to shape R&D finance strategies, influence decision-making, and support clinical portfolio execution in a dynamic and growing organization.  Excellent communication, leadership, and technical skills will be essential for this role, as well as a passion to be a part of the company's growth.

This role is based in Pasadena, California or San Diego, California, with an expectation to be in office 5 days a week.

Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Forecasting
  • Lead the annual operating plan, rolling forecasts, and long-range financial planning processes for the R&D organization.
  • Support strategic initiatives such as pipeline investment decisions, external collaborations, and business development evaluations.
  • Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, translating operational plans into financial implications.
  • Analyze actual results versus plan and forecast, clearly communicating key drivers and emerging trends.
• Clinical Finance & R&D Support
  • Support clinical trial budgeting, forecasting, and accrual analysis, including CRO spend, investigator grants, patient costs, and pass-through expenses.
  • Monitor clinical program spend versus plan, identifying risks, opportunities, and timing impacts.
  • Partner with Clinical Operations, Program Management, and Accounting to ensure accurate forecasting, spend visibility, and financial close alignment.
  • Support portfolio-level decision-making, including program prioritization, scenario analysis, and development trade-offs.
  • Review, evaluate, and support negotiation of CRO and clinical vendor agreements, including study budgets, change orders, and contract amendments, to ensure cost efficiency, appropriate risk sharing, and alignment with development plans.
  • Provide financial diligence on clinical vendor proposals, assessing pricing structures, payment terms, scope assumptions, and financial risks in partnership with Legal, Procurement, and Clinical Operations.
• Performance Management
  • Enhance financial transparency and decision support through dashboards and executive-ready materials.
  • Develop and track KPIs related to R&D efficiency, clinical execution, and overall financial performance.
  • Recommend actions to improve cost discipline, forecast accuracy, and resource utilization.
• Process, Systems & Continuous Improvement
  • Lead enhancements to FP&A processes, models, and planning tools.
  • Drive best practices in forecasting, scenario planning, and financial reporting.
  • Partner with Accounting and IT on ERP and FP&A system optimization.
• Team Leadership
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the R&D FP&A and Clinical Finance teams, fostering a high-performing, collaborative culture.
  • Establish clear expectations, accountability, and professional development paths.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field
• 10+ years of progressive FP&A experience, including 5+ years in a leadership role.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Excel, with experience building models
• Ability to gather, analyze and interpret information for completeness and accuracy; excellent attention to detail; excellent organizational skills
• Strong communication skills, ability to effectively interact with others at all levels– within and outside of finance. Ability to tailor communication to the audience to achieve desired results
• Self-starter with the demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced atmosphere with minimal supervision
• Working knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP)

Preferred: 

• CPA/MBA
• Experience with FP&A Planning systems (Anaplan experience a plus)
• Experience with building financial models
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 and BI tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI)