Associate Director, Operational Finance

Position Summary:

The Associate Director of Finance supports financial governance, process optimization, and operational excellence across the organization. Reporting to the Vice President of Finance, this role partners with Operations, Business Development, Legal, and Finance to ensure financial integrity throughout the project lifecycle from RFP to closeout. The Associate Director will assist in implementing key financial controls, guide team members, and contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance efficiency, automation, and client satisfaction.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Governance & Controls

• Implement and maintain financial controls, including segregation of duties, policies, and best practices.
• Support quality control processes for change orders and investigator grants.
• Contribute to automation and efficiency initiatives; assist in system quality oversight, support AI driven improvements, and ensure accuracy of PRISM reporting.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide day-to-day guidance and support for Financial Analysts and the Investigator Grants Team.
• Mentor staff on financial processes and standardized methodologies to improve operational efficiency.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Act as a financial liaison for assigned accounts, participating in monthly calls, QBRs, and budget reviews.
• Foster strong relationships with clients and internal teams to ensure alignment and transparency.
• Communicate effectively with clients, staff, operations, functional teams, and leadership to support collaboration and clarity.

Project Financial Management

• Assist in managing project financials from RFP through completion, including costing algorithms, proposal text, and risk assessments.
• Monitor project budget health, identify areas for margin improvement, and escalate risks to senior leadership.
• Participate in contract reviews and negotiations for MSAs, IPAs, standalone agreements, and pricing structures.

Initiatives & Reporting

• Support financial process improvement efforts across the organization.
• Provide input during monthly project review meetings and client QBRs, reporting on contract status, cash position, and budget health.
• Assist with special projects and corporate financial deliverables on a monthly and ad-hoc basis.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting.
• Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in finance or a related discipline.

Preferred:

• CPA, MBA, and/or PMP certification.
• CRO or pharmaceutical industry experience in project finance or finance leadership.
• Familiarity with financial contract management, ERP systems, and Veeva.

Other Required:

• No routine travel is expected for this position; however periodic local travel to office, clients and vendors may be required.

Core Competencies

• Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial close processes.
• Understanding of CRO industry, project lifecycle, and cross-functional dependencies.
• Ability to analyze financial data, identify risks, and recommend corrective actions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for diverse audiences.
• High degree of professionalism, self-motivation, and ability to work independently.
• Commitment to continuous improvement and operational efficiency. 

#LI-Remote