Clinical Trial Manager

Clinical Trial Budget Manager

Industry: Pharmaceutical / Clinical Research

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Clinical Trial Budget Manager to take ownership of clinical trial site budgeting, payment oversight, and financial controls.

This is a hands-on, analytical role for someone who understands how clinical trials operate and knows how to evaluate site costs, Fair Market Value (FMV), contracts, payment terms, accruals, and budget performance.

You’ll work directly with Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, Contract Management, Therapeutic Area teams, investigators, and external vendors to make sure budgets are accurate, payments are executed correctly, and financial decisions support the business.

What You'll Own

• Build and review clinical trial site budgets and ensure costs remain within Fair Market Value.
• Analyze protocols and study flowcharts to identify cost drivers and establish appropriate budget estimates.
• Develop payment strategies and negotiation parameters for clinical trial sites.
• Manage and maintain the Site Fee Framework.
• Establish year-end accruals and develop financial plausibility checks.
• Coordinate and monitor site payments, including invoices and visit-based payments.
• Set up, close, reopen, and submit payments through grant systems.
• Track budget performance, trial metrics, payments, accruals, and financial deliverables.
• Identify budget issues, investigate discrepancies, and drive solutions.
• Support Contract Managers with site budget negotiations and contracting strategies.
• Partner with Finance to resolve payment issues and reconcile accrual statuses.
• Work with Legal and Clinical Operations leadership on payment decisions and contract requirements.
• Provide budget guidance to Clinical Trial Managers and Therapeutic Area Leads.
• Identify process improvements that increase efficiency, accuracy, and overall value.
• Stay current on clinical trial budgeting standards, market benchmarks, and industry trends.
• Represent the Budget team on local and global cross-functional initiatives.

Who We're Looking For

We're looking for someone who can own the numbers, understand the clinical side, and push issues toward resolution.

You should have:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, clinical research, healthcare, or another regulated environment.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial site budgets and cost drivers.
• Experience evaluating budgets against Fair Market Value (FMV).
• Experience with site payments, contracts, accruals, and budget exhibits.
• Experience with Veeva and Grant Plan — required.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial operations and the financial impact of protocol activities.
• Experience supporting or leading budget negotiations.
• Strong Excel skills and experience working with clinical/project management systems.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work through complex financial or contractual issues and make sound decisions.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.

Ideal Background

The strongest candidates may have experience in:

Clinical Trial Budgeting | Clinical Finance | Site Contracts | Investigator Payments | Clinical Operations | Clinical Trial Management | Contract Management | Clinical Research Finance

Why This Role?

This is an opportunity to take ownership of a critical piece of clinical trial execution while working within a global pharmaceutical organization.

You'll have visibility across Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, Medical, Therapeutic Areas, and Contract Management, giving you the opportunity to influence both financial strategy and clinical trial execution.

If you're someone who enjoys working with numbers, negotiating budgets, solving complex problems, and making sure clinical trials run efficiently, this could be a strong fit.

Apply Today

Bring your clinical budgeting and pharmaceutical experience to a global organization where your work directly supports the development and delivery of medicines to patients.

Please DM me, or call 919-505-9543 with Kezia Cervantes.