The Opportunity:Reporting to the Vice President, Head of Finance, R&D and Enabling Functions, as the the Senior Director, Portfolio & Development Finance Business Partner, you will lead the R&D finance function supporting the Therapy areas, Portfolio Development and Clinical Studies. You will bring deep expertise in managing a diverse team supporting CSL's 5 Therapy areas in the prioritization of CSL's investment in the development portfolio and establishing a path for the organizational growth. You will manage a department comprising multiple teams and will be responsible for influencing enterprise-wide decisions, leading the management of clinical budgets, and ensuring financial governance across the R&D portfolio.
This is a hybrid role, requiring three (3) days of onsite work weekly.
The Role:Strategic Finance Leadership:- Serve as primary Finance Business Partner to the SVP of Portfolio Development as well as the VP POE, while supporting the Head of R&D and the R&D Leadership Team in managing CSL's $1.4B R&D portfolio. Provide financial insights that guide portfolio prioritization, evaluate commercialization timelines, and assess asset value impacts to ensure informed, strategic decision-making.
- Optimize cost drivers and ensure resources are deployed with maximum financial efficiency by directing the financial strategy of R&D's project axis, partnering with leaders across 5 Therapeutic Areas (TAs).
- Establish financial foundations for the new Portfolio Development & Commercialization (PD&C) group, collaborating with R&D, Commercial, Business Development, and Finance leaders to quantify decision impacts, strengthen governance, and align long-range planning (LRP) with enterprise strategy.
- Lead and expanded a high-performing team of 5 direct reports (with 3 sub-reports), delivering comprehensive financial business partnering to Clinical, the TAs, and the overall PD&C Portfolio.
- Lead presentation of R&D results to the VP Controlling, Tax and Reporting.
Clinical Trial Finance:- Build and refine clinical trial cost models-from large global programs to smaller studies-delivering detailed assumptions, scenario analyses, and cost-driver insights that inform investment and portfolio decisions.
Reporting and Partnering:- Support enterprise financial cycles including month-end close, forecasting, and planning, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and alignment with corporate targets.
- Provide actionable insights for decision-makers by delivering high-value ad hoc analyses to address urgent leadership questions and emerging business needs.
- Provide presentations to the RDLT and head of R&D on funding capacity and portfolio choices. Working closely with global portfolio management in prioritizing CSL's innovation dollars.
- Close collaboration with the head of BD finance as well as FBPs in each division in analyzing portfolio choices.
Department Oversight and Workforce Planning:- Manage a department comprising multiple teams led by Associate Directors and Senior Managers, with responsibility for interacting with each of the 5 TA's and leading the process for managing the finances around clinical trials.
- Develop and implement workforce and staffing plans to ensure the department is resourced to meet strategic and operational objectives.
- Build team capability through coaching, development planning, and succession management.
- Indirectly manage the Director- Cost Management through Peer interactions to ensure adherence to value realisation goals.
Cross-Functional Collaboration and Influence:- Influence cross-functional stakeholders to adopt new financial practices and approaches that enhance CSL's alliance and BD capabilities. In particular with the POE and Portfolio Development organisations within R&D.
- Communicate regularly with executive leadership on matters of strategic financial importance.
- Support materials for Monthly PRISM meetings - CSL's peak governing body for BD, R&D and Commercial portfolio decisions.
- Regular reporting and interactions with the EVP R&D in presenting budget allocation choices and tracking value realisation.
Process Improvement and Problem Solving:- Drive improvements in financial systems, tools, and processes to enhance performance and decision-making.
- Solve complex, undefined problems that span multiple departments, using detailed analysis and prior experience.
- Lead initiatives to improve CSL's R&D reporting capabilities, working closely with the R&D FPA COE to deliver timely and accurate reports.
- Manage the R&D "Active management' allocation of funds to the portfolio ensuring on-budget spend as well as re-prioritisation of spend when programs fall behind plan.
Your Skills & Abilities:- Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, or related discipline; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
- Professional certification (CA/CPA/CMA) desirable.
- Minimum 10+ years' experience in Finance roles, with extensive experience from areas such as, Finance business partnering, budgeting and forecasting, analysis, alliance finance, portfolio finance in a Pharmaceutical R&D environment or similar industry. Demonstrated experience in M&A finance, strategic valuation, and alliance management.
- Experience in financial modelling, M&A finance and Deal support. Leadership in BD negotiations is advantageous.
- Experience in financial modelling, budgeting, forecasting, and post-deal governance.
- Leadership of teams. Own team (4 reports) as well as the ability to positively influence other teams within deals across multiple CSL functions (Commercial, R&D, BD).
- Proven ability to lead multi-team departments and influence cross-functional stakeholders.
- Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Thinks Beyond - Helps teams respond to the external environment.
- Build Bridges - Proactively improves cross-business collaboration, empower one CSL by applying an enterprise mindset.
- Unleashes Outcomes - creates an environment of decision making and appropriate risk taking.
- Ignite Agility - Leads effective organizational change.
- Inspire the Future - Ensures teams buy into the strategy.
- Excellent interpersonal skills, with an ability to influence, build partnerships and collaborate with stakeholders at all levels.
Working Conditions:- Ability/willingness work across time zones.
Travel Requirements:- Domestic and International travel may be required from time to time.
