Head of Strategic Planning

Location: Palo Alto, CA – US based candidates only, no visa sponsorship available.

About the role

This role will strengthen forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning processes that guide business decisions. You will partner with executive leadership and cross-functional stakeholders to improve planning processes, financial discipline, controls, and resource allocation. The position offers the opportunity to influence enterprise performance and scalable financial operations within a life sciences environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the long-range strategic planning for the company, aligning mission and commercial trajectory
• Own and guide the annual strategic planning process, ensuring cross-functional alignment
• Drive goal-setting processes to link enterprise strategy with execution across teams
• Identify key strategic questions and provide structured analysis to inform decisions
• Partner with functional teams to evaluate and prioritize the pipeline for investment and resource allocation
• Synthesize external signals into strategic implications for the company
• Develop frameworks for assessing business development opportunities in relation to strategic goals

Qualifications

• 8-12+ years of experience in strategic planning, management consulting or investment banking, preferably in the biopharmaceutical sector
• Substantial biotech or pharma industry experience, especially in rare disease markets
• Proven ability to develop and present Board-level strategy materials
• Exceptional analytical skills with proficiency in financial modeling and scenario analysis
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to convey complex ideas clearly and succinctly
• Experience collaborating across various functions including R&D, Finance, and Legal
• Advanced degree preferred: MBA, PhD, MD, or equivalent

Pay

$335,000 – $370,000 annually

Benefits

• Market-leading compensation
• 401(k) plan with employer matching
• Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
• Pre-tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Subsidized lunches and parking on in-office days
• 100% employer-paid medical, dental, and vision premiums for employees and their dependents
• Employer contributions to Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
• Expanded mental health support, including therapy resources
• Flexible, 'take-what-you-need' paid time off and company-paid holidays
• Comprehensive paid medical and parental leave
• Career development opportunities through feedback and professional programs