Director, Assistant Controller

Overview

Create a future where DNA is no longer destiny. Join Rocket Pharma.

Rocket Pharma is a fully integrated, commercial-stage biotechnology company advancing genetic medicines for rare and devastating diseases. We are a team of creative, compassionate, and driven individuals united by a profound mission of seeking genetic medicine cures. Rocket places tremendous value on our people and fosters a collaborative environment where bold ideas thrive and every team member makes a meaningful impact. Our core values guide everything we do: we trust one another, show generosity toward patients, embrace curiosity, and strive to elevate science. Team members receive a competitive total rewards package, including equity participation, 401(k) matching, and excellent health benefits.

Position Summary

Rocket Pharma is seeking an experienced and collaborative accounting leader to join its Finance organization as Director, Assistant Controller. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Corporate Controller and Principal Accounting Officer, this individual will play a critical role in managing the Company's accounting operations, financial reporting, internal controls, and compliance activities. The Assistant Controller will help ensure the integrity of the financial reporting function while supporting the Company's continued growth and operational scalability.

The Assistant Controller will serve as a trusted business partner across the organization, helping to ensure the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, maintain a robust control environment, drive process improvements, and support strategic initiatives. The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical accounting foundation, public company reporting experience, and a collaborative leadership style.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly, quarterly, and annual close processes, including review of journal entries, account reconciliations, workpapers, and key accounting operations.
• Support the preparation of consolidated financial statements, SEC filings, and external reporting, including Forms 10-Q, 10-K, MD&A, and technical accounting memoranda.
• Own the Company's SOX compliance program, including internal controls, documentation, testing, remediation, and accounting policy development.
• Lead the annual financial statement audit, quarterly reviews, and SOX audits, serving as a primary liaison with external auditors and advisors.
• Oversee equity administration, stock-based compensation accounting, 401(k) plans, accounts payable, treasury activities, transfer agent relationships, and debt covenant compliance.
• Coordinate tax provision, tax compliance, and multi-state tax reporting activities with external tax advisors.
• Drive finance transformation initiatives, including process improvements, automation, ERP optimization, and implementation of financial systems such as NetSuite, FloQast, and equity administration platforms.
• Partner cross-functionally with FP&A, Legal, HR, IT, Operations, Facilities, Clinical Operations, and R&D to provide accounting guidance and support strategic business initiatives.
• Build, develop, and lead a high-performing accounting team while fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support executive leadership, the Audit Committee, and Board reporting requirements, and perform special projects and ad hoc financial analyses as needed.

Qualifications

• Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation required.
• 12 years of progressive accounting experience, including a combination of public accounting and industry experience.
• Publicly traded company experience required
• Biotechnology, pharmaceutical, life sciences experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, SEC reporting, and Sarbanes-Oxley compliance requirements.
• Experience managing external audits and financial reporting processes.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex accounting initiatives and drive process improvements.
• Experience with ERP systems, preferably NetSuite.
• Excellent analytical, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, growth-oriented environment.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $188,000 to $250,000.

At Rocket, our compensation philosophy and ranges are built upon data and insights collected from validated world-class providers. We are committed to compensating employees equitably based on several factors, including responsibilities and level of the position, depth and types of the employee’s experience, location of the position and availability of similar talent in a competitive market.

For U.S.-based candidates, this is an at-will position, and Rocket reserves the right to adjust the range at hire or during the year due to market shifts.

In addition to base salary, Rocket offers a competitive total rewards package that may include bonuses (short-term incentives), medical, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match and generous vesting, paid vacation and holidays, global shutdown days between Christmas and New Year’s, and a variety of wellness resources and employee support programs. Also, certain positions are eligible for added forms of compensation, such equity awards (long-term incentives).

EEO Statement

A diverse workforce fosters innovation and strengthens Rocket’s business. We ensure equal opportunity without discrimination or harassment in the workplace on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, citizenship, status as a protected veteran, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state, and federal laws.