SELIN YAVALAR
Washington,DC
Summary
Dynamic finance leader with extensive expertise at AstraZeneca, specializing in FP&A and strategic financial analysis.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Global Finance Business Partner
ASTRAZENECA
Gaithersburg, USA
01.2020 - Current
- Led FP&A and strategic finance across BioPharma and Oncology Data Science & AI, Neuroscience, and Clinical Pharmacology and Safety Sciences (cost base up to ~$300M; ~1,000 FTEs); owned MTP/QBRs, forecasting, KPI suite, and driver-based operating model.
- AI investment stewardship: Consolidated ~$160M AI portfolio (FY26–27; $100M funded/$60M unfunded); built ROI/IRR/NPV; authored capitalization criteria; dashboards for benefit realization % vs. plan, time-to-capitalization, capex utilization, and model-to-decision impact.
- Enterprise planning: Delivered QBRs/MTP for ODSAI/DSAI (~$191M, 688 FTEs); tightened driver transparency and RD IT recharge clarity; targeted forecast accuracy ±2%; reduced decision cycle time via standardized metrics and executive narratives.
- Productivity/efficiency valuation: Designed enterprise framework quantifying ~$61M projected value (BioPharma + Oncology); aligned metrics to create a single benefits narrative; earlier DS&AI framework evidenced $816M+ value (creation, avoidance, savings).
- Strategic resourcing: Built allocation model to resolve 25 FTE overage; aligned capacity to priority pipeline; secured 10 FTE/$1.5M uplift for CPSS; enabled reallocation of EB&SI ($14.6M, 86 FTEs).
- Controls and close: Strengthened accrual governance by implementing new oversight protocols.
- Operating model/reorg: Delivered ODSAI reorg cost center/department updates; ensured SAP/ASO readiness ahead of MEC/MTP; evaluated early careers cost transfers to improve planning fidelity.
- Executive storytelling: Produced concise, data-driven narratives for Finance/R&D LTs, enhancing meeting-to-decision ratio and portfolio visibility.
Global Senior Finance Manager
ASTRAZENECA
Gaithersburg, USA
01.2016 - 01.2020
- Project CFO for ~30 molecules (>$5B value); built valuations and business cases supporting $50M+ initiatives, grants ($107M and $50M+), and a $349M Ph3 investment (Nirsevimab).
- Directed post-deal management (12+ contracts); forecasted milestones/royalties; managed alliances and cost-sharing; business partner for Microbial Sciences ($20M Opex).
- COVID 19 response modeling supporting EVUSHELD launch readiness; multiple awards for forecasting/valuation excellence.
Lifecycle Controller / Sr. Finance Manager
GENENTECH / THE ROCHE GROUP
South San Francisco, USA
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Promoted to Controller and finance project lead overseeing seven teams across Roche’s Global Late Stage Product Development division.
- Unlocked over $5 billion in risk-adjusted value through development of 20 investment proposals for Genentech leadership.
- Secured over $500,000 in approved funding by demonstrating drug value proposition and associated risks.
- Ensured fulfillment of contractual obligations with co-development partners and implemented cost-sharing arrangements.
Finance Manager
GENENTECH / THE ROCHE GROUP
South San Francisco, USA
01.2013 - 01.2015
- Provided financial oversight for Genentech’s HER2 Family franchise, encompassing Herceptin, Perjeta, and Kadcyla brands worth $190M.
- Held full P&L authority, estimating sales, costs, insurance reserves, and discounts to assess drug profitability.
BPA Manager – Management, Reporting & Planning
NOVARTIS DIAGNOSTICS
Emeryville, USA
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Owned $180M P&L projections; developed pricing/business case model, enhancing costing accuracy by 10% and reducing prep time by 60%; supported $21M G&A planning.
Finance Manager
UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
San Francisco, USA
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Analyzed financial results and performance metrics to identify trends and variances for strategic decision-making.
- Managed team of three to develop financial models and forecasts, enhancing accuracy in financial planning.
Sr. Financial Analyst
UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
San Francisco, USA
01.2007 - 01.2009
- Improved gross margin forecast accuracy from 1.5% to 4% through rate/volume, terminations, and pipeline analytics; led and coached a team of three.
Education
Master of Business Administration - International Business
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Washington, DCBachelor of Arts - International Affairs & Political Science
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Washington, DCSkills
- FP&A leadership
- Financial modeling and valuation
- Strategic financial analysis
- Enterprise resource planning
- Executive communication
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Capital investment and budgeting
- Mergers and acquisitions expertise
- Decision support analysis
- Profitability and performance analysis
- Financial planning and budgeting
- Continuous improvement initiatives
- KPI development and tracking
- Operational excellence strategies
- Business partnering and strategy
Websites
Certification
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt
Personal Information
Title: SENIOR GLOBAL FINANCE PARTNER | DIRECTOR – FINANCE & ANALYTICS
Selected Impact Highlights
- AI investment stewardship: Built analytics and capitalization rationale for ~$160M AI portfolio; clarified ROI/IRR by use case; staged sequencing and capex/opex policy; integrated model accuracy/throughput KPIs with financial outcomes.
- Planning and decision quality: Led QBRs/MTP for ODSAI/DSAI (~$191M, 688 FTEs); improved recharge transparency; standardized driver taxonomy; achieved ±2% forecast targets; accelerated decisions via concise executive narratives.
- Productivity/efficiency at scale: Designed cross-functional framework quantifying ~$61M projected value; aligned BioPharma/Oncology metrics for enterprise benefits realization; prior DS&AI framework demonstrated $816M+ value (creation, avoidance, savings).
- Strategic resourcing and headcount: Eliminated 25 FTE overage; aligned capacity to pipeline; secured +10 FTE/$1.5M CPSS uplift; enabled accurate transfer of EB&SI resources ($14.6M, 86 FTEs).
- Governance and close excellence: WD+1 pre-close checks; strengthened accrual governance (Cellectis); confirmed Fusion impairment; fixed asset ownership clarity (FAVE); improved R2R cycle time and reduced defects.
- M&A/integration and structure: Led Fusion R&D integration readiness; mapped operating model options and finance controls; delivered ODSAI reorg updates and SAP/ASO data quality ahead of MEC/MTP.
- Executive communication and alignment: Data-first narratives for Finance/R&D LTs; improved meeting-to-decision ratio and portfolio visibility; embedded KPI discipline.
Timeline
Senior Global Finance Business Partner
ASTRAZENECA
01.2020 - Current
Global Senior Finance Manager
ASTRAZENECA
01.2016 - 01.2020
Lifecycle Controller / Sr. Finance Manager
GENENTECH / THE ROCHE GROUP
01.2015 - 01.2016
Finance Manager
GENENTECH / THE ROCHE GROUP
01.2013 - 01.2015
BPA Manager – Management, Reporting & Planning
NOVARTIS DIAGNOSTICS
01.2011 - 01.2013
Finance Manager
UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
01.2009 - 01.2011
Sr. Financial Analyst
UNITED BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
01.2007 - 01.2009
Master of Business Administration - International Business
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY
Bachelor of Arts - International Affairs & Political Science
THE GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY