Chief Financial Officer - Life Sciences

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) - Life Sciences Company.

Location: Bengaluru/Chennai.

Job Description.

Position Overview.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is a strategic executive leader responsible for directing all financial operations of the organization, with a focus on supporting growth through mergers and acquisitions (M&A), ensuring compliance with US GAAP, and managing GST implications.

The CFO will partner closely with the CEO, Board of Directors, and divisional leaders to drive financial performance, operational efficiency, and long-term value creation in a dynamic life sciences environment.

Key Responsibilities.

- Lead all aspects of financial strategy, planning, and analysis to support business objectives and growth initiatives.

- Oversee and ensure the accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting, including monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements prepared in accordance with US GAAP.

- Direct M&A activities, including deal evaluation, due diligence, transaction structuring, integration planning, and post-acquisition execution.

- Assess and manage risks associated with M&A, including financial, operational, and cultural integration.

- Oversee GST compliance, including the financial acquisitions threshold (FAT) review during M&A activities, to optimize GST recoverability and ensure regulatory compliance.

- Develop and implement robust internal controls, financial policies, and procedures to safeguard company assets and ensure regulatory compliance.

- Provide financial leadership and insight to support strategic decision-making by the executive team and Board of Directors.

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability.

- Manage relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, tax advisors, investors, and regulatory bodies.

- Support investor relations, capital raising, and other corporate finance activities as needed.

- Drive continuous improvement and operational excellence across all finance functions.

Qualifications.

- CPA, CA, or equivalent professional accounting designation strongly preferred.

- Minimum 10-15 years of progressive finance leadership experience, ideally within life sciences, biotech, pharma, or high-growth technology sectors.

- Demonstrated track record of leading and executing M&A transactions, including due diligence, deal structuring, and integration.

- Deep expertise in US GAAP financial reporting and compliance.

- Strong understanding of GST, including implications for M&A transactions and FAT compliance.

- Experience in Board-level reporting and working with executive leadership.

- Exceptional analytical, strategic thinking, and financial modeling skills.

- Proven ability to lead and develop high-performance teams in a dynamic, regulated environment.

- Excellent communication, collaboration, and relationship-building skills.

- Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) is an asset.

Preferred Attributes.

- Experience in a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO), pharmaceutical, or related life sciences environment.

- Prior experience with IPO readiness or public company reporting.

- Advanced degree (MBA, Master of Finance) is an asset.

Key Competencies.

- Strategic financial leadership.

- M&A expertise.

- US GAAP and GST compliance.

- Risk management.

- Team leadership and development.

- Stakeholder management.

- Operational excellence.

This CFO role is critical for shaping the financial future of a life sciences company, balancing growth ambitions with regulatory rigor and operational discipline across US GAAP and GST domains.