Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (R&D)

About the role

The Director, Financial Planning & Analysis (R&D) will play a critical role in financial and strategic decision making at the Company, playing a key role in the future growth of the organization. The focus of this position will be to provide overall financial business partnering to the Research & Development (R&D) functions including leading the budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning processes, supporting the monthly and quarterly close process, providing monthly reporting to department leads and the Executive Leadership Team, supporting external collaborations, and performing ad hoc financial analysis. This person will work closely with team members, department heads and program teams to understand and manage the performance of their respective areas. In addition to supporting internal business partners, this individual will provide financial support, including reporting, budgeting, and invoicing for external collaborations. This individual will contribute to routine updates of the Company’s internal financial model.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own the annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting process for R&D departments.
• Support month-end close activities, including accruals, variance analysis, and issue resolution and partner with Accounting to ensure alignment between planning, reporting, and actual results.
• Develop and prepare monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages to department leads and executive leadership providing insights into financial performance, and facilitating forward-looking decision making.
• Support program teams to enable program-level decision making and develop recommendations for ELT consideration.
• Lead financial oversight of clinical programs and partner with Clinical Development Operations on cost modeling for ongoing and planned studies and financial management of key vendors (e.g., CRO).
• Oversee financial processes including contract reviews, and purchase order management.
• Support external collaborations providing quarterly reporting, annual (and ad hoc) budget updates, and quarterly (and ad hoc) governance meetings.

Required Skills & Experience

• Develop and own the annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting process for R&D departments.
• Support month-end close activities, including accruals, variance analysis, and issue resolution and partner with Accounting to ensure alignment between planning, reporting, and actual results.
• Develop and prepare monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages to department leads and executive leadership providing insights into financial performance, and facilitating forward-looking decision making.
• Support program teams to enable program-level decision making and develop recommendations for ELT consideration.
• Lead financial oversight of clinical programs and partner with Clinical Development Operations on cost modeling for ongoing and planned studies and financial management of key vendors (e.g., CRO).
• Oversee financial processes including contract reviews, and purchase order management.
• Support external collaborations providing quarterly reporting, annual (and ad hoc) budget updates, and quarterly (and ad hoc) governance meetings.

Location

Stoke is located in Bedford, MA, and will be moving to a new location in Waltham, MA by the end of 2026. This position is a hybrid position currently based in Bedford and will later be based in Waltham.

Travel

This position will require approximately 0% travel.

Compensation & Benefits

The anticipated salary range for this role is $214,000 - $243,000. The final offer will be determined based on a variety of factors, including role scope, experience and qualifications, education, market benchmarks, internal equity, and geographic location. In addition to base salary, Stoke offers an annual bonus and equity participation. Our benefits package includes medical, dental and vision insurance; life, long- and short-term disability insurance; paid parental leave; a 401K plan with company match, unlimited vacation time, tuition assistance and participation in our Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP).

Culture & Values

At Stoke, we believe that innovation, the ability to successfully advance our ground-breaking science and having fun as a team are enhanced by being together in person, at least periodically. We allow for flexibility in work arrangements that balance individual’s needs and preferences with the needs of our business and our desire to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation. Our values guide our work to deliver meaningful medicines for people who need them. We are committed to being true to ourselves, to our colleagues, and to the people with severe diseases who are counting on us. We embrace diversity within a unique culture that is defined by our values. Our employee-led Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DIB) Committee underscores the importance of DIB to who we are and what we do.