Strategy and Finance Analyst

Strategy and Finance Analyst

Southern Research (SR) is a translational research institute that transforms ideas into innovation, and innovation into jobs and economic opportunity. SR recently unveiled a new strategic plan centered on making Birmingham and Alabama national biotech centers of excellence in partnership with Alabama academic institutions, policymakers, educators, and economic development organizations.

Southern Research works with over 150 commercial and academic partners offering a suite of capabilities that can be customized to meet our clients' needs and to respond to market trends. Over the last 10 months, we have generated approximately $150M to shore up our scientific capabilities and invest in new business lines.

We are looking for an energetic and nimble executer who thinks critically, relishes details, effectively collaborates with a diverse array of stakeholders, and has demonstrated an interest in scientific research, commercialization, and economic growth.

General Summary

The Strategy and Finance Analyst will support the development and implementation of Southern Research's strategic plan for the new capital, including flagship projects such as the Genomics Diagnostics Lab (GDL), clinical-genomic data program, and commercialization programs. These projects will require skill in strategic planning, data analysis, financial modeling, and project management. The Strategy and Finance Analyst will work directly with SR's VP of Finance and Chief of Staff. Additionally, the role will collaborate with other members of the senior leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

• Work directly with the VP of Finance, Chief of Staff, and other leaders and collaborators to identify, shape, and prioritize objectives across financial projects
• Translate data and information into comprehensible communications via memos, presentations, and spreadsheet analyses for senior leadership at Southern Research and our key partners
• Use internal data and your own analytical skills to guide goal setting and tracking for your workstreams and shared leadership initiatives
• Assist in the management and organization of historical financial data
• Escalate and help to resolve mission-critical challenges and developments
• Contribute to the Strategic Planning process, including stakeholder engagement, synthesizing research and feedback, producing and analyzing financial models, and drafting communications

Minimum Qualifications

• BA/BS in Economics, Statistics or relevant discipline
• Relevant educational or experiential background in finance, consulting, translational research, or corporate strategy
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel- a love for beautiful, organized, hygienic Excel spreadsheets
• Passionate about economic development and innovation -- Authentic desire in innovation-driven economic development through translation of excellent scientific research
• Highly collaborative -- You care less about who did it than how it got done. You take deep pride in shared outcomes and you really believe the whole is greater than the sum of the parts when it comes to team efforts
• Excellent written communication skills -- Highly skilled in strategy memos and an expert in communication to stakeholders with varied priorities
• Data-intuitive – Comfortable with new data sources and capable of generating stories and insights through quantitative metrics
• In compliance with federal mandates, Southern Research may require that all newly hired employees show proof of full COVID vaccination or authorized exemption before their start date

Work Environment & Conditions

This position position.is primarily an office

• Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time
• Ability to sit for extended periods of time without being able to leave the work area
• For those times when it may be necessary to enter a laboratory environment, use of appropriate PPE is required