---
title: 'Associate Director, FP&A at Lyell Immunopharma'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/associate-director-fp-a-lyell-immunopharma-south-san-francisco-california-xv34y6x78vjv'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-06'
---

# Associate Director, FP&A at Lyell Immunopharma

- **Company:** Lyell Immunopharma
- **Location:** South San Francisco California, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-06
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/lyellimmunopharma/jobs/7986032003

## Job description

Using living cells to treat – and sometimes even cure – cancer is one of the most dramatic advances in modern medicine. Patients with hematologic malignancies have been successfully treated with cell therapies. However, these profound results have not yet been achieved in patients with solid tumors, representing approximately 90% of all cancers. And for patients with hematologic malignancies, there is a need for next-generation cell therapies that can deliver increased response rates and longer duration of response.  We are a clinical-stage company advancing a pipeline of next-generation CAR T-cell therapies for patients with solid tumors or hematologic malignancies. Lyell’s product candidates are enhanced with novel technology designed to generate T cells that resist exhaustion and have qualities of durable stemness in order to drive durable tumor cytotoxicity and achieve consistent and long-lasting clinical response. We were founded by cell therapy pioneers whose decades of research elevated the broader understanding of T-cell biology and its interaction with cancer. In our quest to advance next-generation CAR T-cell therapies, we have built a fully integrated company capable of discovering new technologies, translating science into therapies, manufacturing cell therapy products, and clinically evaluating them in patients. Our culture is based on Science, Respect, Collaboration, and Courage and reflects who we are, the environment we create, and our mission's urgency.

The Associate Director, FP&A is responsible for leading the company’s core financial planning and analysis activities, including annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, monthly financial reporting, variance analysis, financial modeling, and business performance management. The Associate Director will partner closely with functional leaders across the organization to develop and manage financial plans, understand key business drivers, monitor performance, and provide actionable financial insights to support effective resource allocation and decision-making.

The Associate Director will serve as a key financial partner to R&D, Clinical, G&A, Commercial and other functional leaders, with a focus on understanding operational activities and their financial implications. The role will also be responsible for continuously improving the company’s FP&A processes, reporting, systems, forecasting capabilities, and financial discipline.

## KEY ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

- Lead the annual budgeting and quarterly forecasting processes, coordinating cross-functional inputs, establishing timelines and assumptions, and ensuring forecasts accurately reflect current business plans and operational activities.
- Own the monthly FP&A reporting and performance management process, including actual versus budget and forecast analysis, KPI reporting, identification of key drivers and trends, and communication of actionable insights to Finance and business leaders.
- Partner with R&D, Clinical, G&A, Commercial, and other functional leaders to track spend, monitor performance, identify key cost drivers, including CRO and vendor costs, and provide timely financial analysis to support informed decision-making.
- Develop and maintain driver-based financial models that link operational assumptions to financial performance, including headcount, departmental expenses, clinical programs, CRO and vendor costs, and other significant spending categories.
- Lead headcount and operating expense planning and forecasting, partnering with Human Resources and functional leaders to understand resource requirements and assess their financial impact.
- Support the long-range planning process by coordinating cross-functional inputs, gathering and validating operating assumptions, and ensuring timely and complete submissions from functional leaders.
- Support the development and maintenance of the company’s commercial forecast, partnering with Commercial and cross-functional stakeholders to incorporate key assumptions and operating drivers into the financial plan.
- Manage and continuously improve FP&A systems and processes, including data integration, hierarchy maintenance, reporting structures, process automation, and forecasting methodologies, to improve efficiency, scalability, and forecast accuracy.
- Partner with Accounting to ensure actual financial results are appropriately reflected in FP&A reporting and that forecasts are aligned with reported results.
- Provide ad hoc financial analysis and modeling to support operational decision-making, special projects, and other business needs.

## PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; MBA or other related advanced degree preferred.
- 8+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, financial planning, or a related finance function.
- 5+ years of experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry, with strong knowledge of clinical studies and the drug development lifecycle.
- Proven experience with annual budgeting, quarterly forecasting, and monthly financial reporting.
- Experience partnering with R&D, Clinical, G&A, and other functional leaders to track spend, monitor KPIs, and identify key cost drivers, including CRO and vendor costs.
- Experience with FP&A systems, data integration, reporting, and process automation preferred.

## KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

- Strong financial modeling and analytical skills, with high proficiency in Excel and the ability to translate operational drivers into financial insights.
- Strong understanding of FP&A principles and ability to identify trends, variances, and opportunities to improve financial performance.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to explain financial concepts and analysis to non-Finance stakeholders.
- Strong business partnering skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across functions and influence without direct authority.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, and commitment to data accuracy.
- Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and effectively manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Demonstrated ability to improve processes and bring structure to ambiguous situations in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

The salary range for this position is $170,000 to $210,000, annually, with the opportunity to earn an annual bonus. The salary range is an estimate, and the actual salary may vary based on Lyell’s compensation practices and an applicant’s qualifications and experience. Employees are also eligible to participate in Lyell’s Equity Incentive Plan.

At Lyell, we believe that highest performing teams include people from a wide variety of backgrounds and experiences who respectfully challenge each other. We are committed to building an open, diverse and inclusive culture for all employees. Lyell is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, creed, physical or mental disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status or any other characteristics protected under applicable federal, state and local laws.

We’ve learned from experience that some of the best people don’t always match our requirements perfectly - if you’re interested and think you could fit, please don’t hesitate to apply.

## About Lyell Immunopharma

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Lyell Immunopharma is a clinical-stage biotechnology company advancing next-generation CAR T-cell therapies designed to deliver durable remissions for patients with cancer.
- **Entity Type**: Public (ticker not explicitly confirmed in provided sources; investor relations page indicates public reporting)  
- **Headquarters**: South San Francisco, California, United States  
- **Founded**: Not publicly available from provided sources  
- **Founders**: Rick Klausner, M.D. (Founder & Chairman), Crystal Mackall, M.D. (Founder), Stan Riddell, M.D. (Founder)  

## Core Business
- **Primary industry**: Biotechnology – Cell Therapy / Oncology  
- **Target customers**: B2B (healthcare providers, clinical trial sites, and patients seeking one-time cell therapies)  
- **Mission / purpose**: “To fully realize the curative potential of cell therapy for patients with cancer” – advancing next-generation CAR T cells that provide potent, long-lasting responses in both hematologic malignancies and solid tumors.  

## Products & Services
- **Ronde-Cel (LYL797)**: A next-generation CAR T-cell product candidate targeting ROR1 in solid tumors; currently presenting clinical and translational data at conferences like ASH 2025.  
- **Other pipeline candidates**: Multiple undisclosed product candidates for hematologic malignancies and solid tumors, designed with novel CAR constructs, T-cell exhaustion‑resistance technologies, and proprietary manufacturing protocols.  

## Market Standing
- **Valuation / Market Cap**: Not publicly available from provided sources  
- **Key Metric**: Clinical-stage; no approved product yet. Most recent disclosed financing is a $50 million tranche of equity private placement (closed April 2026).  
- **Notable Investors / Partners**: Not explicitly listed in provided data; investors likely include those from private placements and institutional holders (details not available).  
- **Growth Signals**:  
  - Clinical progress with Ronde-Cel in solid tumors  
  - State-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Bothell, WA, approved for clinical and commercial production  
  - Active pipeline across hematologic and solid tumor indications  
  - Establishment of three West Coast hubs (South San Francisco HQ, Seattle, Bothell)  

## Competitive Advantages
- **Proprietary T-cell biology**: Pioneering approaches to prevent T-cell exhaustion, enabling longer‑lived and more potent cancer killing.  
- **End‑to‑end control**: Own and operate a dedicated manufacturing facility, ensuring supply chain control and product quality.  
- **Founding by cell‑therapy pioneers**: Founders (Klausner, Mackall, Riddell) are leaders in the field, providing deep scientific expertise.  

## Strategic Focus
- **Pipeline advancement**: Progress next‑generation CAR T candidates through clinical trials, aiming to improve outcomes over first‑generation CAR T therapies.  
- **Solid tumor expansion**: Aggressively develop therapies for solid tumors where current cell therapies have limited efficacy.  
- **Manufacturing scale‑up**: Leverage internal manufacturing to accelerate development and eventual commercialization.  

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: Described as “grounded in science, infused with courage, and powered by respect and collaboration.” Employees report feeling welcomed and able to contribute, with diverse perspectives valued.  
- **Work model**: Hybrid – in‑office collaboration days and weekly lunches; offices in South San Francisco, Seattle (South Lake Union), and Bothell.  
- **Benefits**:  
  - Comprehensive medical, dental, vision (up to 100% premium for employees, 85% for dependents)  
  - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) with 15% discount  
  - 401(k) matching  
  - FSA/HSA options  
  - Company‑sponsored life insurance, short‑ and long‑term disability  
  - Paid vacation and sick time  
  - Commuter benefit  
  - Wellness program (mental health, physical fitness, financial wellness)  

## Sources
1. [Lyell.com – Company Overview](https://www.lyell.com/)  
2. [Lyell.com – Careers](https://www.lyell.com/careers/)  
3. [Lyell.com – Job Openings](https://www.lyell.com/careers/job-openings/)  
4. [Lyell.com – Investor Relations](https://ir.lyell.com/investor-relations)  
5. [Lyell.com – Leadership](https://www.lyell.com/about/leadership/)

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