Sr Mgr, Clinical Trial Budgets & Contracts

Job Function: Clinical Operations

Title: Sr Manager, Budgets & Contracts

Level: M4

 

The Senior Manager, Clinical Budgets & Contracts is responsible for strategic oversight and execution of clinical contract and budget operations. This role provides leadership to a team supporting clinical trial start-up and lifecycle management, ensuring timely, compliant, and cost-effective contracting with investigational sites and third party suppliers. This role leads a team responsible for an assigned functional stream (NDAs, Site Contracts / Budgets, Vendor Contracts / Budgets, Payments…) while partnering closely with study teams, Legal, Finance, and/or AP to drive process excellence and scale operations to meet increasing study demands. The Senior Manager also partners with leadership to define strategy and process improvements for NDA turnaround, budget harmonization, and contract execution timelines.

 

All clinical agreement work will be done in accordance with company policies, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), legal and regulatory requirements, and fair market valuation.

 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Provide a brief description (5 to 7 sentences) of the essential functions/main areas of responsibility for the position with the overall importance reflecting what is essential to be successful in the position. Include the following required statement “Performs other duties as assigned.” 

 

• Provide strategic and operational leadership over assigned functional stream(s)

• Lead and mentor a team of contract managers, analysts, and/or associates 

• Ensure documentation and tracking: agreements, budgets, purchase requests, and payments in applicable systems (CTMS, ERP, legal tools).

• Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure accurate forecasting, alignment with fair market value, and adherence to contracting policies and payment terms.

• Monitor metrics such as turnaround time, contract status, budget accuracy, and invoice backlog; identify and implement process improvements.

• Serve as an escalation point for internal and external stakeholders in assigned area.

• Build and maintain collaborative relationships with sites, vendors, and internal partners to ensure alignment and timely execution.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to scale operations and reduce cycle times.

• Ensure audit-readiness and inspection compliance in all assigned areas.

• Cross-train and provide functional support across the alternate focus area as needed.

• Deliver performance reporting, issue summaries, and status updates to senior leadership.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

 

QUALIFICATIONS:

Provide a list of qualifications that are truly required (e.g. Education and Experience, Equivalent job experience substituted for degree, preferred level to perform principal responsibilities, required certifications to successfully perform principal responsibilities, etc.)

 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred.

• Minimum 12 years of experience in clinical trial contracting, with deep expertise in either site or vendor-facing functions.

• Minimum 3 years of direct team leadership experience.

• Experience with FMV-based budgeting and regulated contract operations.

• Proficient in relevant systems (CTMS, ERP, eTMF, contract lifecycle management).

• Demonstrated success managing relationships with clinical sites and/or vendors.

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

Provide a list of technical or behavioral knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. 

Technical: Evaluates an applicant's acquired knowledge and specific technical skills.

Behavioral: Evaluates factors related to human characteristics and skills, such as attitude, work approach and collaborative abilities.

 

• Strong strategic thinking and operational execution capabilities.

• Excellent communication and negotiation skills; able to influence across functions and externally.

• Experienced in managing competing priorities across large portfolios.

• Adept at leading teams and developing staff.

• Skilled at identifying and implementing process improvements.

• Strong financial and contractual acumen.

• Able and willing to support the alternate functional ar