Vice President, Corporate Controller

About Celldex

Celldex is pioneering new horizons in immunology to deliver life-changing therapies. We are relentless in our pursuit of novel antibody-based treatments that engage the human immune system and directly affect critical pathways to improve the lives of patients with allergic, inflammatory and autoimmune disorders. We have built a culture where innovative and talented people thrive—focusing a significant effort on attracting and retaining passionate and motivated employees who want to play a role in helping people with serious health conditions and who see this effort as personally rewarding. In our highly entrepreneurial environment, employees are empowered and the opportunity for professional development occurs every day. 

Overview

The Vice President, Corporate Controller will lead all accounting operations for Celldex, including corporate, R&D and commercial accounting, internal controls, financial close, technical accounting, revenue accounting, gross-to-net accounting, inventory and cost accounting, and related compliance activities.

 

As Celldex transitions from a development-stage biotechnology company to a fully integrated commercial organization, the Corporate Controller will play a critical leadership role in building a scalable, high-performing accounting organization capable of supporting the Company’s first commercial launch, continued pipeline growth, increasing operational complexity and future expansion.

 

This leader will ensure Celldex maintains the highest standards of financial integrity, accuracy, controls and regulatory compliance while developing the accounting infrastructure, systems, processes and talent required to support commercialization and long-term growth.

 

The ideal candidate will combine deep public-company and technical accounting expertise with significant biopharmaceutical experience, including:

• Product launch readiness
• Revenue recognition and gross-to-net accounting
• Government pricing and rebate programs
• Inventory and cost accounting
• Outsourced manufacturing/CDMO environments
• SOX 404 compliance
• Accounting systems implementation and scalability

This position is located onsite at our Hampton, NJ headquarters.   

Responsibilities

Corporate Accounting & Financial Close

• Lead all accounting operations and monthly, quarterly and annual close processes.
• Ensure timely and accurate financial reporting in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
• Maintain and continuously strengthen accounting policies, procedures and internal controls.
• Oversee general ledger, consolidation, reconciliations and related accounting processes.
• Drive continuous improvement and efficiency across the close process.
• Ensure the accounting organization and infrastructure can effectively support Celldex’s transition from pre-commercial to commercial operations.
• Build scalable capabilities capable of supporting:
• Multiple commercial products
• Multiple development-stage assets
• Organizational and geographic expansion
• Business development activities and M&A integration

Commercial Revenue & Gross-to-Net Accounting

Provide executive oversight for commercial accounting activities, including:

• Revenue recognition under ASC 606
• Product sales and specialty pharmacy/distribution accounting
• Gross-to-net accounting and reserve processes
• Chargebacks
• Commercial and government rebates
• Product returns
• Distribution fees
• Patient assistance and copay programs
• Government programs, including Medicaid, 340B and other applicable federal and state programs

Ensure gross-to-net reserves and methodologies are accurate, defensible, appropriately controlled and well documented.

Partner closely with Commercial Finance, Market Access, Government Pricing, Trade & Distribution, FP&A and other business stakeholders to ensure accurate financial reporting and launch readiness.

 

Inventory & Cost Accounting

Lead accounting activities supporting manufacturing, supply chain and commercial distribution, including:

• Inventory and cost accounting
• CDMO manufacturing relationships
• Contract packaging organizations
• Third-party logistics providers
• Finished goods, raw materials and work-in-process inventory
• Standard costing
• Inventory reserves and obsolescence
• Cost of goods sold
• Inventory capitalization and controls

Establish scalable inventory and costing processes in preparation for commercialization and future growth.

 

Technical Accounting

Provide leadership and technical accounting guidance for complex transactions, including:

• Business development transactions
• Asset acquisitions
• Licensing arrangements
• Collaboration agreements
• Milestone payments
• Royalties
• M&A transactions
• Impairments
• Equity compensation
• Debt and financing arrangements

Prepare and/or oversee accounting position papers, technical accounting memoranda and supporting documentation for auditors and management.

 

R&D & Clinical Accounting

Provide leadership and oversight for accounting activities supporting Celldex’s clinical development and research organization, including:

• Clinical trial accruals
• CRO accounting
• Investigator and site payments
• Clinical and development obligations
• Collaboration and co-development agreements
• Licensing arrangements
• Milestones and royalties
• Development-stage manufacturing and related accounting

Oversee shared accounting operations supporting Accounts Payable, Payroll, Equity Administration and related corporate accounting activities.

 

Internal Controls & SOX

Lead and continuously strengthen the Company’s SOX and internal control environment, including:

• Risk assessments
• Control design
• Process documentation
• Control testing oversight
• Deficiency identification and remediation
• Segregation of duties
• Audit coordination and support

Build a sustainable internal control framework capable of supporting a larger, more complex commercial-stage organization.

 

Systems & Process Transformation

Partner with Finance, IT, Commercial Operations and other business functions to develop scalable financial infrastructure and systems.

Provide accounting leadership and requirements for platforms supporting:

• ERP
• Revenue management
• Gross-to-net
• Inventory and supply chain
• Consolidation
• Financial reporting and analytics

Lead and support future system implementations, automation and process transformation initiatives.

 

Team Leadership

• Build, lead and develop a high-performing accounting organization.
• Establish an organizational structure capable of supporting commercial growth and increasing complexity.
• Recruit and develop strong accounting and finance talent.
• Establish clear performance expectations, development plans and succession strategies.
• Foster a culture of accountability, partnership, accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Serve as a trusted advisor and business partner to Finance leadership and the broader organization.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting required.
• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) required.
• MBA or advanced degree preferred.

Experience

• 15+ years of progressive accounting and finance experience.
• 8+ years of leadership experience, including responsibility for building and leading accounting teams.
• Public-company accounting and SEC reporting experience required.
• Strong experience with SOX 404 and internal control environments required.
• Pharmaceutical, biotechnology or life sciences industry experience required.
• Commercial biopharmaceutical accounting experience required.
• Experience supporting a pharmaceutical or biotechnology product launch strongly preferred.
• Experience scaling an accounting organization from pre-commercial through commercial stage strongly preferred.
• Public accounting experience preferred.

Compensation Statement

The expected base salary for this position is: $268676.00 to $348929.00. We are committed to compensating employees equitably based on several factors including experience, education, licensure/certifications, skill level, location of the position, and availability of similar talent in a competitive market. Subject to eligibility and applicable plan terms, compensation includes base salary, annual discretionary bonus, long term incentive, 401(K) plan with employer contribution, health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), paid holidays, vacation, and sick days. A summary of our benefits can be found on our careers page Celldex is proud to be an equal opportunity employer that strives to foster a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are committed to promoting a diverse environment through development, recruiting and community outreach.