Finance Manager

Position Overview

A global biopharmaceutical company specializing in innovative treatments for brain diseases is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to oversee a broad range of financial operations while supporting business planning and strategic decision-making. Working within a lean, collaborative Finance team, this role combines hands-on accounting and financial reporting with budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and business partnering.

The successful candidate will take ownership of day-to-day Finance activities, provide actionable insights to local leadership, and serve as a key backup to the Head of Finance. This is an excellent opportunity for a finance professional who enjoys working autonomously, collaborating with regional and global stakeholders, and driving continuous improvement across the Finance function.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Accounting & Reporting Manage monthly, quarterly, and year-end closing in accordance with IFRS and Group accounting policies. Ensure accurate and timely financial statements, management reports, journal entries, accruals, and balance sheet reconciliations. Coordinate statutory reporting, tax compliance, and external audits with relevant advisors.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis Coordinate annual budgeting, quarterly forecasts, and long-term financial planning. Analyze financial performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying key variances, risks, and opportunities. Prepare management reports and financial analyses to support business decisions.

Provide financial modeling and decision-support analysis to local leadership. Finance Operations & Internal Controls Oversee core Finance operations, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, expense management, and treasury. Monitor cash positions and maintain cash flow forecasts. Ensure compliance with internal controls and Group Finance policies.

Coordinate audit activities and follow up on findings and corrective actions. Business Partnering Partner with business units and budget owners to support financial planning and performance management. Explain cost drivers and financial results in practical, business-oriented terms. Identify financial risks and opportunities and provide recommendations to stakeholders.

Build effective relationships with local, regional, and global teams. Process Improvement & Systems Identify opportunities to simplify, standardize, and automate Finance processes. Support improvements to ERP systems, reporting tools, and data quality. Contribute to regional and global Finance transformation initiatives.

Requirements

Essential Bachelor’s degree or above in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, or a related field. 7–10 years of progressive Finance and/or Accounting experience, ideally in a multinational company. Strong practical knowledge of IFRS, financial closing, and statutory reporting. Experience in budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, and financial performance management.

Ability to independently manage end-to-end Finance responsibilities in a lean team. Ability to act as a reliable backup to the Head of Finance when required. Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Business-level Japanese and English, both written and spoken. Advanced Excel skills and hands-on experience with ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle, as well as reporting or FP&A tools.

Preferred Experience in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry. Experience working with regional or global headquarters and shared service centers. Finance business partnering experience with commercial or operational teams. Involvement in Finance transformation, process automation, or ERP implementation projects. Experience managing external tax advisors and major audit firms.