VP Finance at Aqemia.com

About AQEMIA AQEMIA is a drug invention company dedicated to creating entirely new medicines to address major unmet medical needs. At the core of our mission is QEMI, our proprietary molecule-invention platform, which uniquely combines cutting-edge science with advanced technology. Powered by physics-based modeling, statistical mechanics, and generative AI, QEMI allows our teams to design novel drug candidates from first principles. What makes AQEMIA different is our commitment to true innovation: our research is dedicated to the invention of new molecular entities, not the refinement of existing ones. We focus on inventing never-before-seen molecules, without relying on experimental data, and advancing them into a growing pipeline of proprietary programs and strategic partnerships with leading pharmaceutical companies. Our most advanced preclinical programs are currently in vivo optimization, targeting diseases still waiting for effective treatments, offering our teams the opportunity to work on science that can make a real difference in people’s lives. For more information, visit AQEMIA.com and our LinkedIn.  About our Team AQEMIA brings together a diverse, multidisciplinary team of 65+ professionals based in Paris and London. Our scientists and engineers, including chemists, physicists, machine learning experts, and software engineers, work side by side to push the boundaries of early-stage drug discovery. This close collaboration across disciplines is central to our approach, enabling us to tackle complex scientific challenges from first principles and translate cutting-edge ideas into novel therapeutic candidates. At AQEMIA, team members are encouraged to contribute their expertise, learn from one another, and play an active role in shaping the future of drug invention. 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. This is a unique opportunity to shape the financial backbone of a cutting-edge AI drug discovery company at a critical stage of its journey. 📍 Location: Paris (France) What You’ll do 1. Financial Strategy & Business Partnership • Lead long-term financial planning, forecasting and scenario modeling. • Deeply involved in future fundraisings alongside our CEO: preparation, diligence, coordination. • Develop advanced probabilistic models for multi-year collaborations including upfront and success-based milestones 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 2. 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. 3. 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. • Harmonize 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 4. 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 deeptech, 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 modeling 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 • You are 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. • You seek a role as a true thought partner to the CEO, bringing perspective, judgment, and constructive challenge, while translating financial insight into strategic momentum and impact. • You are energized by complex problems and bring deep intellectual curiosity for AI, science, and breakthrough innovation. • You communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence, able to distill complexity into compelling, actionable narratives. • You thrive in fast-moving, scaling environments, combining a hands-on mindset with the ability to operate at a strategic altitude. • You are fluent in English and French Our recruitment process 1. Screening call : 30 - 45mn 2. Business case with VP Finance : 1h 3. Cultural fit interview with Maximilien Levesque, Co-founder and CEO : 1h 4. Cultural fit interview with Emmanuelle Martiano, Co-founder and COO : 45mn 5. Final interview with Maximilien Levesque, Co-founder and CEO : 1h 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 $140M 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 : $100M raised from leading European and International investors