Finance Manager

This three-month Finance Manager assignment functions as a Clinical Finance Business Partner supporting Clinical Operations and R&D during a leadership transition. The consultant serves as a hands-on finance partner for assigned clinical studies and development programs, providing clear, actionable financial insights to stakeholders. The role focuses on study-level financial management, including forecasting, budgeting, variance analysis, month-end close support, and oversight of CRO and vendor financial activities within a pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences environment.

• Act as a hands-on finance partner for assigned clinical studies and development programs, owning forecasting and financial analysis.
• Translate changing clinical and operational activity into updated financial outlooks and clear financial insights for stakeholders.
• Develop, maintain, and refine study-level financial trackers to monitor spend and ensure accurate financial visibility.
• Perform actual true-ups and support month-end close activities for clinical programs.
• Prepare, manage, and support budgets for clinical programs, providing financial guidance to Clinical Operations and R&D stakeholders.
• Conduct variance analysis by comparing actual and forecasted spend and identifying meaningful financial variances.
• Monitor CRO and vendor financial activities, including contracts, purchase orders, and related financial obligations.
• Oversee clinical trial budgeting processes, ensuring alignment between operational plans and financial projections.
• Provide accurate and timely financial reporting and analysis to support decision-making for Clinical Operations and R&D.
• Serve as a business partner to key stakeholders, turning financial information into actionable recommendations.
• Support ad hoc financial analysis and reporting requests as business needs arise.
• Utilize SAP and/or enterprise planning systems, where applicable, to support forecasting, reporting, and financial tracking.
• Contribute financial stability and insight during the leadership transition while maintaining a high level of visibility with stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience in Finance, FP&A, or business roles with solid exposure to clinical development environments.
• Strong financial forecasting skills, particularly for clinical studies and development programs.
• Proficiency in budgeting and study-level financial management for clinical programs.
• Experience with clinical development finance, including managing finances at the study level.
• Ability to maintain detailed financial trackers and perform accurate actual true-ups.
• Hands-on experience with variance analysis, comparing actual versus forecasted spend and identifying drivers of variances.
• Experience in CRO and vendor financial management, including monitoring contracts and purchase orders.
• Strong financial reporting skills, delivering accurate and insightful reports to support Clinical Operations and R&D.
• Proven business partnering capabilities, with the ability to convert financial data into actionable recommendations.
• Strong communication skills and stakeholder-management abilities, particularly with Clinical Operations and R&D teams.
• Relevant experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or life sciences organizations, closely aligned to clinical development finance.

• Preferred experience supporting Clinical Operations in a clinical development setting.
• Experience with SAP and/or other enterprise planning systems.
• Familiarity with FSP models and clinical trial budgeting practices.
• Background in CRO financial management and vendor oversight.
• MBA, CPA, CFA, or comparable advanced credential preferred but not required.
• Ability to work effectively in a high-visibility role during periods of organizational change.
• Capacity to manage multiple studies and programs simultaneously while maintaining accuracy and attention to detail.

The role operates in a hybrid work environment, combining remote work with time on-site as needed to support Clinical Operations and R&D stakeholders. The position offers direct partnership with cross-functional teams and high visibility during a leadership transition. The consultant gains exposure to clinical study and development-program finances and has the opportunity to blend FP&A expertise with specialized clinical development knowledge.

Depending on business…