Leads financial oversight for clinical studies from planning through closeout. Responsibilities include preparing clinical trial accruals, forecasting study costs, managing CRO and vendor finances, overseeing budgets and commitments, analyzing variances, and supporting portfolio planning and executive decision-making. Partners closely with Clinical Operations, Accounting, CROs, and leadership to ensure accurate expense recognition and actionable financial insights.
Job Title: Director / Associate Director, Clinical Finance & Accounting
Location: San Francisco, CA
Position Description:
The Director / Associate Director, Clinical Finance & Accounting will report directly to the Senior Director of Finance and serve as the finance lead supporting the Company's clinical development organization. This role owns the financial oversight of clinical studies from planning through closeout, with primary accountability for clinical accrual preparation, study forecasting, and CRO financial management.
Working directly with Clinical Operations, Accounting, and external CRO partners, this individual will ensure timely and supportable recognition of clinical trial expenses; develop reliable forecasts for current and future studies; and provide actionable financial insights to guide resource allocation and strategic decision-making.
Position Responsibilities:
- Lead the preparation and review of monthly and quarterly clinical trial accruals.
- Serve as the primary Finance partner to CROs and other clinical vendors.
- Develop and maintain forecasts for ongoing clinical studies and future development programs.
- Partner with Clinical Operations to translate study execution assumptions into financial projections.
- Manage study budgets, vendor commitments, and clinical development spending.
- Provide financial analysis, variance reporting, and portfolio planning support to executive leadership.
Experience and Required Skills:
- Requires a strong financial background with a bachelor's degree in business, accounting or finance and CPA certification.
- Minimum of 8+ years of experience in an accounting/finance role working in fast growing life sciences organizations.
- Experience supporting outsourced clinical development programs and working directly with CROs.
- Experience with clinical trial budgeting, forecasting, and accruals across multiple studies.
- Experience with ERP and financial planning systems (e.g., NetSuite, Adaptive).
- Self-starter with good analytical skills, builds strong relationships, has a proven track record of client/vendor management, and possesses excellent business communications skills including writing and presentation capabilities.
- Ability to communicate (orally and in writing) professionally when dealing with company leadership, employees and vendors.
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