At Avalo (ahh-vah'-low), we are 100% focused on developing treatments for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases with large unmet needs that affect millions worldwide. Our strategy is to develop medicines that target the IL-1β pathway, which is a central driver of the inflammatory process.
We share a commitment to teamwork, passion for science, and dedication to patients suffering from acute and chronic inflammatory disorders. Our collective expertise in discovery, development, and regulatory approvals is evidenced in our strong individual track records of advancing multiple therapeutic programs to successful commercialization.
Position Summary:
The Sr. Director, Controller will lead Avalo Therapeutics' accounting operations, including the monthly, quarterly, and annual close; R&D and G&A accounting; general ledger activities; and related management reporting. Reporting to the VP of Finance, this individual will lead the Accounting Director and broader GL accounting team and help ensure accurate financial reporting, effective internal controls, and scalable processes.
This is a collaborative, hands-on leadership role requiring strong public company and biotech R&D accounting experience, particularly with clinical development and CMC activities. The individual will partner across Finance and the business to maintain audit-ready accounting, support SOX compliance, and improve the processes and systems that support the Company's growth.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close and core accounting operations, ensuring complete, accurate, and timely financial reporting.
- Lead and develop the GL accounting team, including oversight of R&D and G&A accounting through direct management of the Accounting Director and broader accounting team.
- Establish and document the accounting for new, complex, and material R&D, clinical, and manufacturing agreements in partnership with the Accounting Director and FP&A.
- Review significant estimates, accruals, and judgmental transactions, including CRO, clinical trial, CMC, manufacturing, and other R&D arrangements, and maintain strong supporting documentation.
- Oversee G&A accounting, including operating expenses, cash, prepaids, accounts payable, payroll-related accounting, reconciliations, journal entries, and payment approvals.
- Manage the close calendar and drive accountability for key deliverables while continuously improving close quality and efficiency.
- Lead preparation of the monthly close deck and management reporting schedules, ensuring financial results are complete and accurate while driving transparency and decision-useful reporting.
- Contribute to Audit Committee reporting, including analysis of financial results and key period-over-period fluctuations.
- Partner with the SEC Reporting Team to provide timely, accurate, and audit-ready schedules and analyses supporting SEC filings and related disclosures.
- Design, document, and maintain accounting policies, processes, and internal controls that support SOX compliance and U.S. GAAP requirements.
- Serve as the primary contact for external auditors on operational accounting matters and oversee the accounting team's support of quarterly reviews and annual audits.
- Partner on process improvement and automation initiatives, including implementation and optimization of CRO accrual and other accounting technologies.
- Partner with FP&A to support the ongoing development of ERP configuration, department and account structures, approval workflows, and other systems and processes.
- Develop and mentor the accounting team, fostering accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Lead accounting special projects and support other accounting and finance initiatives based on organizational priorities.
Required Education and Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance; CPA required.
- 7-10 years of progressive accounting experience, including experience in a public biotechnology or life sciences company.
- Strong R&D accounting experience, including CROs, clinical trials, CMC/manufacturing, and complex vendor contracts.
- Extensive experience leading general ledger accounting and the monthly financial close.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, internal controls, SOX readiness, and external audit requirements.
- Strong ERP and financial systems experience, with the ability to use technology to improve accounting processes, reporting, data integrity, and scalability.
- Experience with CRO accrual software, close automation tools, or other accounting technologies is a plus.
- Demonstrated success leading and developing accounting teams in a growing organization.
- Strong collaboration skills across Finance, FP&A, Clinical Operations, R&D, and external service providers.
Additional Skills, Knowledge, and/or Responsibilities:
- Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, including complex formulas, pivot tables, and data analysis.
- Ability to translate financial results into clear, decision-useful insights and management presentations.
Other Requirements:
- Ability to operate effectively in a lean, fast-paced public company environment and adapt to changing priorities and tight timelines.
- Ability to anticipate accounting and operational issues, assess implications, and develop practical action plans.
- Strong leadership skills with a focus on accountability, collaboration, and follow-through.
- Strong analytical, technical, organizational, and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Strong business partnering and cross-functional communication skills.
About Avalo Therapeutics
Avalo Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to developing therapeutics targeting the IL-1β pathway for immune-mediated inflammatory diseases. Avalo is advancing its lead anti-IL-1β monoclonal antibody (mAb) drug candidate, abdakibart, into a phase 3 registrational program in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects an estimated 1–4% of the population globally. Avalo is pursuing additional development opportunities in IL-1β driven indications. Avalo is also developing AVTX-010, a long-acting next-generation anti-IL-1β mAb. For more information about Avalo, please visit www.avalotx.com.
ATTENTION: External Agencies and Placement Firms
A member of the Avalo Human Resources Department will contact an agency directly if an open position is eligible to be sourced from an outside recruiting service. Avalo does not accept unsolicited resumes from employment agencies for any employment opportunity. All agencies/recruiters must have a written agreement/SOW in place with Avalo and prior to submitting any resume or CV.
All resumes must be submitted through the appropriate process. Any resumes submitted without an agreement and/or any resumes sent unsolicited through e-mail accounts of Avalo employees will be considered outside of the appropriate process, do not imply or create any obligation on our part, do not impart any restrictions on Avalo with respect to the hiring of any persons whose resumes are so submitted and are not eligible for placement fees.
