Excelsior Sciences · 7 hours ago
Finance Lead
New York, NY
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
$160K/yr - $250K/yr
8+ years expExcelsior Sciences is a New York City–based startup at the forefront of technology-driven drug discovery. They are looking for a Finance Lead who can manage day-to-day accounting and shape the financial strategy of the company, providing insights and support to leadership as the company scales.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)BiotechnologyLife Science
Responsibilities
Oversee day-to-day accounting operations, including general ledger, accounts payable/receivable, inventory, payroll, CapEx and expense management
Develop and maintain accounting policies, procedures, and internal controls appropriate for an early-stage biotech
Manage the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes and ensure timely and accurate financial reporting including required financial updates for investors
Coordinate with external accountants, auditors, tax advisors, and other vendors to ensure compliance with GAAP, tax filings, and regulatory requirements
Revenue recognition policy preparation (including grants, collaborations)
Stock-based compensation accounting (ESOP, option grants, refreshes)
Ensure accounting systems and tools support efficient financial operations as the company evolves and grows
Lead reporting for state and other grants and collaborations
Build and maintain the company’s financial model, including operating budgets, cash flow forecasts, and long-range planning
Partner with the CEO and leadership team to provide financial insights, scenario analyses, and decision support
Track and report on key performance indicators, burn rate, and capital runway
Prepare board materials, investor updates, and fundraising support analyses
Provide financial input into strategic decisions, including R&D planning, vendor selection, and partnership opportunities
Serve as the primary point of contact for all finance matters across the organization
Establish scalable processes, systems, and reporting that can grow with the company
Support human resources and operations teams on benefits, equity administration, and other employee-related financial matters
Ensure strong cash management practices, including oversight of bank accounts, wire transfers, and grant/non-dilutive funding tracking (if applicable)
Comfort with board-level presentations and investor engagement
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field
8+ years of progressive experience in finance roles, ideally combining accounting (controller-level) and FP&A
Strong knowledge of US GAAP and financial reporting
Proficiency with financial modeling and forecasting
Ability to work independently in a resource-constrained, entrepreneurial environment
Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
Preferred
CPA or MBA
Experience in life sciences/biotech strongly preferred, with an understanding of R&D operations and related accounting/finance considerations
Combination of public companies and start-ups experience a plus
Willingness to be in-person twice weekly a plus
Benefits
Health insurance
Paid time off
Other benefits
Company
Excelsior Sciences
Excelsior Sciences applies AI and automated chemistry to simplify small-molecule discovery and accelerate overall drug development.
11-50 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Early StageTotal Funding
$95MKey Investors
Empire State Development
2025-12-03Series A· $70M
2025-12-03Grant· $25M
Recent News
2026-01-16
2026-01-15
Company data provided by crunchbase