Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Everest Clinical Research is a full-service contract research organization providing expertise-based clinical research services to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. The Director, Project Finance is responsible for overseeing the financial management and performance of clinical trial projects, partnering with various departments to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, and financial accountability.
Responsibilities
- Oversee Project Finance team inclusive of portfolio assignments, line management, and supporting new hire process as required by the position
- Oversee financial performance of a portfolio of clinical trial projects, including revenue, costs, margins, and cash flow
- Ensure accurate revenue recognition in compliance with general accounting and company policies
- Monitor project budgets, identify variances, and partner with project teams to implement corrective actions
- Drive consistency in financial management practices across projects and clients
- Lead monthly project forecasting processes, including revenue, backlog, and margin projections
- Improve forecast accuracy through robust analytics and collaboration with project managers
- Support long-range planning for the project portfolio
- Analyze trends and provide actionable insights to improve predictability and performance
- Maintain project costs analysis and forecasts, establish escalation processes for financial issues impacting project or portfolio performance
- Act as a strategic finance partner to Project Management and Clinical Operations leadership
- Provide guidance on financial implications of project decisions, including resourcing, timelines, and scope changes, scope creep, underperformance, and billing delays
- Support Business Development during proposal development with budget reviews and financial input
- Participate in key governance meetings and portfolio reviews
- Review project budgets and ensure alignment with contractual terms and operational assumptions
- Partner with commercial teams to support pricing strategies while maintaining margin integrity
- Identify financial risks in contracts and assist in mitigation planning
- Oversee Commercial Contracts associates
- Develop and deliver regular reporting on project financial performance, KPIs, and risk indicators
- Analyze variance analyses and present findings to senior leadership
- Identify opportunities to enhance profitability, efficiency, and cost control
- Directly manage and develop a team of 5 Project Finance and Commercial Contracts professionals based in North America and Europe
- Set clear objectives, provide coaching, and support career development
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement
- Drive standardization and best practices within the project finance function
Skills
- Bachelor's degree in business administration/management, finance, accounting, or related field
- 15+ years of experience in business management, with a strong focus on project finance, or operational finance
- Experience in CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare services is required
- Demonstrated experience partnering with project management or delivery organizations
- Prior experience managing direct reports and developing teams
- Strong knowledge of project-based revenue recognition and forecasting
- Advanced Excel and project budgeting skills
- Strong business and financial acumen
- Effective stakeholder engagement and superior written communication skills
- Leadership and team development
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
- Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and accountability
- Master's degree in business administration/management, finance, accounting, or related field
- Experience with project financial management systems
- Experience in building new systems/platform related to project financial management
Benefits
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- Life & AD&D insurance
- Short- and long-term disability
- Tuition reimbursement
- Fitness reimbursement
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
- A 401(k) retirement / pension plan
- Generous paid time off and sick leave
- The opportunity to earn a performance based bonus
Company Overview