Vaccitech

The Company

 

Vaccitech plc is a fast-growing biotech company. At only five years old we already have a development portfolio of nine programmes, a partnered product that is in commercial production which has seen more than 3 billion doses administered worldwide and an IPO behind us. We are a publicly-listed clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that spun out of the University of Oxford’s Jenner Institute, one of the most prestigious vaccine research centres in the world. We discover and develop immunotherapeutic products and vaccines for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and cancer. Our achievements include co-inventing and jointly developing our COVID-19 vaccine candidate VTP-900, now Vaxzevria, which we assigned to Oxford University Innovation to facilitate the licensing of those rights to AstraZeneca. We run clinical studies to explore treatments for patients with HBV and HPV infections and are developing rapid and scalable manufacturing processes for our platforms.

 

In December 2021, Vaccitech acquired Avidea Technologies with exciting product candidates for oncology and autoimmunity based on the innovative SNAPvax platform, which has demonstrated unprecedented control over T cell induction. This gives us US operational presence in Maryland, complements Vaccitech’s established capabilities and reinforces our position as a fast-growing global leader in immunotherapies and vaccines. In March 2022, we opened Vaccitech's new UK headquarters, and the Company will have relocated to this state-of-the-art facility in the UK's leading science and innovation campus at Harwell. We conduct research globally and have ambitious plans in the UK and US, where we will continue to grow our teams over the coming months and years.

 

The role

 

Reporting to the Group Financial Controller, you will be a key member of the finance team, responsible for the UK financials for Vaccitech (UK) Limited and Vaccitech Oncology Limited. You will work closely together with the Group Financial Controller for the month end internal reporting, together with external quarterly and annual reporting. 

 

You will also be fundamental in designing and implementing the financial processes/ systems to support the business, working with the broader finance team, including the CFO, on projects including the implementation of SOX 404a.

 

In addition to this, you will work with the Head of Financial Reporting to ensure compliance with the UK statutory account filing requirements and tax return filings with HMRC.

 

The key tasks of the role are:

 

• Responsible for the preparation of the UK accounting records for Vaccitech (UK) Limited and Vaccitech Oncology Limited.
• Responsible for the preparation/review of month end, including management accounts, reporting into the Group FC
• Work in conjunction with the Head of Financial Reporting for the preparation of financial statements for UK statutory filing requirements
• Responsible for UK tax compliance, including R&D tax credits
• Review and submission of quarterly VAT returns
• Review and operation of payroll and director expenses
• Liaising with employees and arranging invoice authorisation to support the accountant
• Review activities as part of the monthly close
• Producing financial information to head of departments/programme operations, as required
• Ensuring the implementation and effectiveness of financial processes in accordance with SOX 404a
• Providing technical accounting advice to the finance team and throughout the business
• Management of external consultants
• Support the Group’s external audit process
• Provide coaching and development of the finance team
• Ad-hoc projects

 

Experience and education required

 

The successful candidate will be a qualified Chartered Accountant, ACA, ACCA or equivalent with over five years’ experience working in a finance or business role in Big 4 or a biotech/ pharmaceutical/ life science business. A knowledge of and passion for the biotech industry are essential. You will have knowledge and experience of UK GAAP and IFRS. You will also possess a sound working knowledge of technical accounting including prior experience of financial close activities. Experience of SOX is needed and a knowledge of SAP ByDesign is desirable. We are looking for a pro-active individual who has a passion for biotech. We want someone who is a self-starter, who is confident to work both independently and with the team to build and establish a future-proof, first-class finance function. This role gives ample opportunities for professional growth, including possible future expansion of responsibilities. 

 

What we can offer you

 

Vaccitech is a great place to work. We encourage an entirely flat structure with an open-door policy to the senior leadership team. Our employees agree the culture and working environment is one of the best things about our business. This role would suit an experienced finance professional seeking their first Financial Controller role and offers a clear career development path to Group Financial Controller and beyond. As part of a small high growth business you will get the opportunity to be involved in many different areas and our rapid growth trajectory means you will have the opportunity to grow with us. We offer flexible forms of hybrid working, stock options to all employees, 25 days annual holidays increasing with length of service, an AXA Healthcare plan, Life Insurance and up to 5% pension contributions matched by the company.

Notice to Recruiters

Vaccitech’s internal Talent Acquisition leads recruitment and employment for Vaccitech. Unsolicited resumes sent to Vaccitech from recruiters do not constitute any type of relationship between the recruiter and Vaccitech and do not obligate Vaccitech to pay fees should we hire from those resumes. Vaccitech operate a preferred list of recruitment suppliers, any and all enquiries about joining us as a supplier should be directed to Vaccitech’s TA Team. We ask that external recruiters and/ or agencies not contact or present candidates directly to our hiring manager or employees.