VP Finances

About AQEMIA AQEMIA is a next‑gen pharmatech company generating one of the world’s fastest‑growing drug discovery pipelines. Our mission is to design fast, innovative drug candidates for dozens of critical diseases, such as immuno‑oncology. Our unique approach leverages quantum‑inspired physics algorithms to power generative AI in designing novel drug candidates—without relying on experimental data. We have already delivered several drug discovery successes within our internal pipeline and through collaborations with pharmaceutical companies. Our most advanced programs are currently in vivo optimisation. VP Finance AQEMIA is seeking a VP Finance to refine and lead its financial and corporate operations. Reporting directly to the CEO, the VP Finance will act as a trusted sparring partner to the CEO and Leadership Team. This role is central to guide strategic decision‑making, strengthen governance and build scalable finance, legal and corporate operations. Location: Paris (France) What You’ll Do Financial Strategy & Business Partnership: lead long‑term financial planning, forecasting and scenario modelling. Deeply involved in future fundraisings alongside our CEO: preparation, diligence, coordination. Develop advanced probabilistic models for multi‑year collaborations including upfront and success‑based milestone payments and fundraisings and portfolio modelling. Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting and provide clear, data‑driven insights to support strategic and scientific decision‑making. Ensure robust treasury management, including cash planning and liquidity oversight. Anticipate financial needs related to growth, partnerships and international expansion. Build scalable financial tools, systems and processes to support rapid growth. Could lead special projects: own and drive execution of CEO‑sponsored initiatives that operate outside existing teams and require high‑impact delivery. Capital Strategy & Investor Relations: prepare Board decks, investor presentations, data rooms and due diligence materials. Partner closely with the CEO on runway forecasting and funding scenarios. Lead non‑dilutive financing initiatives, including grants and public funding. Build strong, credible relationships with existing and future investors. Governance, Legal & Corporate Matters: oversee legal and corporate matters, including contracts, insurance and pharma licensing. Strengthen corporate governance in collaboration with the Board and investors. Harmonise corporate practices across entities and geographies. Manage external advisors (accountants, legal counsel, auditors, banks). Set up for the first time a hub‑and‑spokes business model with creation of SpinCos for each asset to be partnered out. Leadership & Team Development: build, lead and develop a high‑performing Finance team. Foster a culture of rigour, accountability and continuous improvement. Maintain a hands‑on mindset while scaling the function. Partner with HR on compensation strategy, equity plans, and hiring roadmap. What We’re Looking For Proven experience in top‑tier Investment Banking, Private Equity, Venture Capital, or Management Consulting environments. Exposure to deep‑tech, AI‑driven, or high‑growth startup ecosystems is a strong plus. Strong expertise in strategic and corporate finance, including significant experience with fundraising and capital structuring. Advanced financial modelling capabilities, with expert‑level proficiency in Excel. Solid command of governance, legal, and compliance matters, with the ability to navigate complex corporate environments. Preferred Mindset Driven by the ambition to contribute meaningfully to AQEMIA’s mission and to help shape the future of drug discovery through bold, science‑led strategy. Seeking a role as a true thought partner to the CEO, bringing perspective, judgement, and constructive challenge, while translating financial insight into strategic momentum and impact. Energised by complex problems and bring deep intellectual curiosity for AI, science, and breakthrough innovation. Communicates with clarity, confidence, and influence, able to distil complexity into compelling, actionable narratives. Thrives in fast‑moving, scaling environments, combining a hands‑on mindset with the ability to operate at strategic altitude. Fluent in English and French. Our Recruitment Process Screening call: 30‑45 min. Business case with VP Finance: 1 h. Cultural fit interview with Maximilien Levesque, Co‑founder and CEO: 1 h. Cultural fit interview with Emmanuelle Martiano, Co‑founder and COO: 45 min. Final interview with Maximilien Levesque, Co‑founder and CEO: 1 h. Why Join Us At AQEMIA, we work for a mission: joining us means having your own impact on changing the way drugs are discovered, and helping to shape the direction of our fast‑growing company and team. Expanding Drug Discovery Pipeline Focused on critical therapeutic areas like Oncology, CNS, Immuno‑inflammation… with in vivo proof‑of‑concept/patent stage programs. Collaborations with top Pharma, including a $140 M Sanofi deal. Interdisciplinary Team Brilliant talent from tech and life sciences. DeepTech Recognition Part of French Tech 120 and France 2030. Prime Location Based in central Paris and London (King’s Cross) with the possibility of 2 remote days per week. International Environment The work language is English – relocation support and French lessons granted if needed. Strong Financial Backing $100 M raised from leading European and International investors. We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analysing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us. #J-18808-Ljbffr