Interim Controller (Contract)

Astera is a private foundation on a mission to steer science and technology toward an abundant future. We believe the coming years will bring an era of unprecedented scientific and technological advancement as exponential progress in AI converges with central advances in other fields to dramatically accelerate innovation. This inflection point provides an unparalleled opportunity to fundamentally rethink the institutions, systems, and tools that drive scientific progress.

Unlike traditional non-profit research organizations, projects supported by Astera operate like high-velocity startups, allowing us to focus on ambitious goals, match structure to problem, and attract strong technical talent and leadership. You can read more about our mission, vision, and programming here.

We are looking for a mission- and culturally-aligned finance and accounting leader to cover our Controller's planned leave of absence and own Astera's finance function end-to-end during that period.

The engagement runs from September 2026 through June 2027. We intend to start ahead of the leave to allow for a substantial overlap and handoff with the Controller, so you'll build deep context before taking the reins. During the coverage period, you'll own accounting, treasury, compliance, and FP&A, with one direct report (an Accounting Manager).

Astera has doubled to 100 FTEs since December 2025 and projects growth to 300 by the end of 2027. If the fit is right on both sides, this role is well-positioned to convert into a permanent role —partnering with investment, operations, and programs leadership to provide support to our 30 internal projects (ranging from $1M to $20M yearly each) and our external grantees.

This is ideal for a finance leader who thrives in dynamic, entrepreneurial environments, is comfortable stepping into full ownership quickly, and is energized by the possibility of helping build the financial foundation of a high-impact, experimental organization for the long run.

This role reports to the COO of the Foundation Division.

During the coverage period, you'll own Finance end-to-end:

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  Drive Financial Operations: Manage agreements and payments across vendors, payroll, grants, and investments. Work directly in Ramp, our spend management platform, to ensure data accuracy. Establish and revise program budgets and grants.

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  Lead Financial Reporting and Compliance: Oversee the preparation of accurate, timely financial statements and ensure successful completion of taxes and annual audits by managing relationships with accounting, audit, and tax partners.

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  Lead FP&A: Partner with budget leads and Astera leadership on financial analysis, including budget-to-actuals reporting and deep-dive analyses.

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  Oversee the Balance Sheet and Treasury: Collaborate with internal and external partners to monitor and report on Astera's investment portfolio, supporting informed decision-making and risk management.

We're also looking for someone who will:

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  Continuously improve systems: The landscape is changing rapidly, and this role should be excited to strive for best-in-class financial systems that improve the team's efficiency and effectiveness.

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  Teach and learn from others: We care about professional development, and we're looking for someone excited to uplevel the full finance team.

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  Flex to "unknown unknowns": Astera is a new kind of philanthropic organization that doesn't constrain itself in how it delivers impact. This role will need to flex to emerging needs across the finance and operations stack.

• ~8–12 years of experience in accounting, financial management and strategic finance, preferably with a combination of experience in professional services plus startups.

• Motivated by enabling science that could reshape the future.

• Exceptional relationship orientation and verbal + written communication.

• Gives and receives feedback well.

• Comfortable operating outside a fixed job description and thriving in a startup-like environment.

• Eagerness to use AI and new technology as an opportunity to improve effectiveness.

• Bias to action and experimentation.

• Commitment to high standards, ownership, and tenacious problem solving.

This role is based at our Emeryville, CA office 5 days per week. This role could possibly become a hybrid 3 days per week between January and June 2027; however, should the role convert to full-time after June 2027, the expectation is 5 days per week.