Iovance Biotherapeutics aims to be the global leader in innovating, developing and delivering tumor infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) therapy for people with cancer. We are pioneering a transformational approach to treating cancer by harnessing the ability of the human immune system to recognize and attack diverse cancer cells in each patient. The Iovance TIL platform has demonstrated promising clinical data across multiple solid tumors. We are committed to continuous innovation in cell therapy, including gene-edited cell therapy, which may be a promising option for patients with cancer.
OverviewThe Assistant Corporate Controller is a senior finance leader responsible for the overall management of the Company’s accounting operations, financial reporting, and internal controls. This role partners closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to ensure financial integrity, SEC and GAAP compliance, and scalable accounting infrastructure at a commercial-stage cell therapy company.
The Assistant Controller plays a key role in supporting Iovance’s mission — advancing cell therapy for patients with cancer — by building robust financial processes, leading system implementations, and driving governance through SOX compliance and disclosure committee participation.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities Financial Close & Reporting- Oversee monthly/quarterly close process for general ledger accounts and all related activities for the production of financial statements and reports.
- Ensure integrity of the Company’s accounting systems, including interfaces from payroll, equity, and expense management systems to the general ledger.
- Prepare monthly/quarterly financial review decks; synthesize financial results and key metrics for executive and board-level audiences.
- Analyze and interpret financial statements — balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements — to support management decision-making.
- Review and manage SEC reporting, including 10-K, 10-Q, and proxy statements, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and compliance with applicable rules and regulations.
- Partner cross-functionally with Legal, Investor Relations, and business teams to align on disclosure language and ensure consistent, transparent external communications.
- Co-chair the Disclosure Committee to oversee preparation and review of financial results and non-financial metrics prior to external publication.
- Lead technical accounting research and prepare accounting memos to support proper treatment of complex transactions under U.S. GAAP.
- Review clinical trial accruals and other biopharma-specific accounting matters.
- Monitor evolving accounting standards and assess their impact on the Company’s financial statements and disclosures.
- Partner with the Director of Tax on the review of the tax provision, including tie-out of numbers, schedules, and underlying assumptions to ensure alignment with the financial statements.
- Establish, maintain, and monitor a robust SOX-compliant internal control framework across accounting and finance processes.
- Lead the design and implementation of SOX controls over new processes and continuously seek enhancements to existing controls, including risk assessment, documentation, and remediation.
- Partner with internal and external auditors to support SOX testing, audit readiness, and timely resolution of findings.
- Lead cross-functional implementation and optimization of Procure-to-Pay (P2P) platforms integrated with ERP (NetSuite), ensuring scalable, efficient, and well-controlled processes.
- Establish SOX-compliant internal controls across P2P processes as part of system rollout, including policy development, segregation of duties, and user access governance.
- Drive continuous improvement of accounting systems and processes to support the Company’s growth and operational scale.
- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing accounting team of 9+ direct and indirect reports, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
- Set clear goals and performance expectations; provide regular coaching and feedback to team members.
- Partner with finance leadership to build organizational capabilities in alignment with company growth objectives.
- CPA and bachelor’s degree in Accounting.
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including management responsibilities.
- Prior biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience required.
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements.
- Experience operating within a Sarbanes-Oxley control environment, including design and implementation of internal controls.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills; ability to translate complex accounting matters for executive audiences.
- Strong work ethic and demonstrated ability to independently prioritize workload; operates with a sense of urgency as appropriate.
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Big 4 public accounting experience.
- NetSuite ERP experience.
- Experience with Procure-to-Pay platforms and ERP integrations.
The physical demands described here represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made upon request to enable individuals to perform essential functions. Please contact Human Resources to request an accommodation.
Physical Demands and Activities Required
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time.
- Must be able to move about inside an office and exert up to 10 pounds of force occasionally or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
- Must have visual acuity to perform activities such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures, viewing a computer screen, and extensive reading.
- This position requires repetitive motion, substantial movements (motions) of the wrist, hands, and/or fingers.
- Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information.
Mental: Clear and conceptual thinking ability; excellent judgment, troubleshooting, problem-solving, analysis, and discretion; ability to handle work-related stress; ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously; and ability to meet deadlines.
Work EnvironmentThis job operates in a professional or remote office environment and requires operating standard office equipment and keyboards.
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The annual base salary we reasonably expect to pay is listed. Individual pay decisions depend on various factors, such as primary work location, complexity and responsibility of the role, job duties/requirements, and relevant education, experience and skills.
The statements contained in this document are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a colleague assigned to this description. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of functions, duties, or local variances. Management retains the discretion to add or to change the duties of the position at any time.
Iovance is committed to cultivating and offering a diverse and inclusive work environment. As an equal-opportunity employer, our employees and applicants will be considered without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, military and veteran status, and any other characteristic protected by applicable law. If you need assistance or accommodation to apply to one of our opportunities, please contact [email protected].
By voluntarily providing information and clicking “Submit Application”, you explicitly consent to the collection and use of your personal information for the purposes described above and in our Candidate Privacy Notice.
Skills Required
- CPA and bachelor's degree in Accounting
- 10+ years of progressive accounting experience, including management responsibilities
- Prior biotech or pharmaceutical industry experience
- Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP and SEC reporting requirements
- Experience operating within a Sarbanes-Oxley control environment
- Excellent communication and presentation skills
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
What We Do
Iovance Biotherapeutics (NASDAQ: IOVA) aims to improve patient care for people living with cancer. Iovance is investigating T cell-based therapies, known as tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), which use a patient’s own immune cells to attack cancer. Our unique Iovance TIL technology platform has generated novel cell therapies that are currently in clinical studies for multiple cancers. We are adding to our talented team as we actively prepare for our initial commercial launch, advance our research and development efforts, and build our internal manufacturing capabilities. Iovance is headquartered in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our Iovance Cell Therapy Center (iCTC), a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, is located in Philadelphia. We also have a research site in Tampa, Florida. Any information expressed by Iovance is subject to the risk factors and information on forward-looking statements contained in its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available here: https://ir.iovance.com/sec-filings
