Sr. Finance Systems Analyst

 

Position Summary:

The Senior Finance Analyst – Clinical Solutions Portfolio is a strategic, business-partnering role responsible for portfolio-level financial analysis across Clinical Solutions departments. The primary focus is project and portfolio financial health, including forecasting, budget performance, and financial controls, with an expanding remit into trial operations KPIs and measures as they relate to budget integrity, scope control, and delivery efficiency. 

This role requires a strong background in Project Finance within a CRO environment, excellent analytical and presentation skills, and the ability to engage credibly with department heads and senior operational leaders.

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

• Own and deliver portfolio-level financial analysis for Clinical Solutions departments, including budget health, forecast accuracy, margin performance, and risk identification. 
• Lead project financial oversight across the full project lifecycle, from award through closeout, ensuring adherence to financial best practices and internal controls. 
• Perform variance analysis (actuals vs. forecast vs. budget) to identify drivers of change, scope creep, and emerging risks. 
• Partner with project finance teams to ensure consistency and integrity of project-level data feeding portfolio reporting. 
• Support and enhance departmental forecasting and planning processes using clear, supportable assumptions. 
• Monitor budget consumption, earned value indicators, and change order impacts across portfolios. 
• Provide forward-looking insights to support proactive financial decision-making by operational leadership. 
• Contribute to the continuous improvement of financial processes, controls, and reporting standards. 
• Develop and maintain trial operations KPIs and measures that link operational performance to financial outcomes (e.g., enrollment pace vs. burn, milestone progress vs. revenue, site activity vs. cost). 
• Leverage Excel and Power BI to create scalable dashboards and analyses that support portfolio governance and executive review. 
• Translate complex financial and operational data into clear, actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders. 
• Act as a trusted finance partner to Clinical Solutions department heads, supporting planning, performance reviews, and strategic initiatives. 
• Prepare and deliver high-quality presentations and executive-ready materials summarizing portfolio performance, risks, and recommendations. 
• Support ad hoc analyses and special projects requested by Finance leadership, Clinical Operations leadership, or executive management. 
• Collaborate closely with Project Management, Clinical Operations, Data Management, and Finance teams to ensure alignment between operational execution and financial reporting. 

Minimum Education & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree (or its international equivalent) + 5 years of related experience.

Preferred Education & Experience (optional):

• Bachelor’s degree in finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field (or its international equivalent).
• Approximately 5-8 years of relevant experience in project finance, FP&A, or operational finance, with a strong preference for CRO or clinical research industry experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing or analysing clinical trial portfolios and complex project financials.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills (financial modelling, scenario analysis, large data sets).
• Working knowledge of Power BI or similar BI/visualization tools.
• Strong presentation and communication skills, with experience presenting to senior leaders and department heads.
• Solid understanding of clinical trial financial drivers, project lifecycles, and contract/budget mechanics. 

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies:

• Strong financial and analytical acumen with the ability to connect operational activity to financial outcomes.
• Executive presence and confidence interacting with senior operational leaders.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear narratives and recommendations.
• High attention to detail balanced with a portfolio-level, strategic mindset.
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, matrixed environment.