Head of Finance Operations & Corporate Controller
Winning the race to bring new healthcare products safely to a waiting world drives Rapid Micro Biosystems (RMB) to combine today’s innovative technologies as never before. Your career at RMB puts you at the center of diverse global teams that span robotics, AI, Machine Learning, imaging, microbiology, and more, re-shaping how urgently needed pharmaceuticals are made, tested, and released for decades to come. The sky’s the limit.
Careers at RMB are fast-moving, with the high growth you’d expect from a world leader in microbiology automation. Advancement at RMB affords an opportunity to achieve your personal goals and develop your passions, in an inclusive environment where every employee has the resources and opportunities to hone their skills. You’ll do more, learn more, and have the ability to make a profound impact on our business.
The Corporate Controller will report directly to the CFO and serve as a high-impact leader within the finance organization, with potential to succeed the CFO. This role is responsible for all accounting, tax, treasury, and financial reporting functions, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and strategic insight to support the company's continued growth.
As a key business partner, the Corporate Controller will lead a growing team (initially nine employees including three direct reports), provide strategic financial leadership, and drive operational excellence across the organization.
Primary Responsibilities
- Partner with the CFO and senior leadership to support strategic growth initiatives and ensure compliance with GAAP and other relevant regulations.
- Oversee general accounting, accounts payable, payroll, and monthly/quarterly/annual close processes.
- Manage revenue recognition, invoicing, credit and collections in accordance with ASC 606.
- Lead external audits, quarterly reviews, and the preparation of financial statements.
- Oversee financial reporting, including SEC and statutory requirements.
- Own internal controls, including SOX compliance and policy implementation.
- Manage treasury and cash functions, including forecasting and reporting.
- Ensure compliance with U.S. federal, state, and international tax regulations.
- Administer risk management and insurance including annual policy renewals.
- Support cost accounting and operations finance in partnership with plant and operations teams.
- Manage lender reporting and compliance.
- Oversee travel management function including travel policy and maintenance of Egencia.
Key Responsibilities & Functions
- Build and develop a high-performing, collaborative team.
- Lead development of scalable processes, systems and policies that support rapid growth.
- Maintain accuracy, timeliness, and SEC and GAAP compliance in financial reporting.
- Ensure ERP systems support efficient and effective accounting operations.
- Oversee technical accounting including implementation of new standards.
- Lead external auditor relationships and drive the audit process.
- Ensure insurance programs address key business risks at a manageable cost.
- Support financing and business development activities, including debt / equity transactions and potential M&A.
- Collaborate with legal counsel on contracts and commercial matters.
- Lead preparation of Audit Committee materials with CFO and Corporate Governance team.
- Drive special projects, such as ERP upgrades or complex accounting standard adoptions.
Experience & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting or Finance required; Master’s or MBA preferred.
- CPA required; 5–7+ years of Big 4 public accounting experience strongly preferred.
- 10–15+ years of progressive finance and accounting experience.
- Proven leadership in fast-paced, growth-oriented environments.
- Strong background in manufacturing and cost accounting required.
- ERP system experience required; SAP experience a plus.
- Experience supporting financing activities and M&A preferred.
Skills & Competencies
- Results-oriented leader with a strong sense of ownership and urgency.
- High integrity, ethical judgment, and professionalism.
- Hands-on, analytical, and detail oriented.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills; cross-functional collaborator.
- Comfortable with change, ambiguity and scaling processes in a growing company.
- Intellectually curious with a practical, solution-oriented mindset.
- Excellent team builder and mentor; inspires and develops talent.
- Brings energy, positivity, and a sense of humor to the workplace.
Leadership Scope
- Directly manages three: Senior Accounting Manager, Financial Reporting Manager, and Operations & Plant Controller.
- Oversees a broader team of nine.
- Collaborates closely with the CFO and Senior Director of Finance to define and execute finance strategy.
- Partners with senior leadership and peers across the business to support enterprise-wide goals.
ABOUT RAPID MICRO BIOSYSTEMS:
Rapid Micro Biosystems creates, sells, validates, and services innovative products for fast, accurate, and efficient detection of microbial contamination in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, biologics, biotechnology products, medical devices, and personal care products.
The company’s Growth Direct™—the first and only growth-based system to automate rapid compendial QC Micro testing—ensures data integrity, compliance, and operational efficiencies driven by rapid methods and automation.
Rapid Micro Biosystems is dedicated to providing groundbreaking technology and products to support companies in their journey to achieve greater reliability, efficiency, and better predictability, ultimately providing higher quality products for improved patient outcomes.
Rapid Micro Biosystems is headquartered in Lexington, Massachusetts. Our research & development, and manufacturing operations are located in Lowell, Massachusetts. Additionally, we maintain field offices in Freising, Germany; Switzerland, and Singapore.
Equal Opportunity:
Rapid Micro Biosystems is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity. Applicants for employment and employees are reviewed on their individual qualifications for a position. Under no circumstances will Rapid Micro Biosystems discriminate against qualified persons on the basis of race, color, religious creed, retaliation, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, mental illness, genetics, choice of health insurance, marital status, age, veteran status, or any other basis prohibited under applicable law.