The position acts as a key liaison between Clinical Operations, Finance, Procurement, Legal, Quality, and external service providers, driving operational excellence, financial transparency, and proactive risk management throughout the study lifecycle.
The Clinical Vendor and Budget Oversight Manager should be able to work independently as well as feel comfortable in being part of a multifunctional team. Therefore, both self-organisational, leadership and interpersonal skills are required for this role.
Scope and responsibility
- Lead vendor selection, qualification, and onboarding activities for clinical development programs.
- Conduct vendor due diligence and risk assessments in collaboration with Quality Assurance and Procurement.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives with vendors to enhance quality, delivery, and cost efficiency.
Budget & Financial Management
- Develop, track, and manage clinical study budgets across multiple programs and regions.
- Review vendor proposals, costing assumptions, change orders, and work orders.
- Analyse budget forecasts, accruals, actual spend, and financial variances.
- Monitor study financial performance and identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Support annual budget planning and long-range financial forecasting activities.
- Ensure accurate processing and reconciliation of vendor invoices against contracts and approved budgets.
- Partner with Finance to support month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial reporting activities.
Contract Support
- Collaborate with Legal teams during contract negotiations.
- Review scopes of work, budgets, payment milestones, and contractual provisions.
- Ensure contracts and amendments align with approved study assumptions and business requirements.
- Provide financial and operational input during RFP and bid evaluation processes.
Study Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Clinical Study Managers and Clinical Program Leads to establish robust vendor oversight strategies.
- Support study startup, execution, and closeout activities from a vendor governance and budget perspective.
- Identify operational and financial risks and drive mitigation strategies.
- Maintain study-specific documentation related to vendor oversight and financial management.
Reporting & Analytics
- Develop and maintain vendor budget status, forecasts, risks, and vendor performance metrics.
- Generate portfolio-level analyses on vendor spend, utilization, and performance trends.
- Support business decisions through data-driven insights and benchmarking.
Application:
- Minimum 5 years of experience within Clinical Operations, Vendor Management, Clinical Finance, or related functions.
- Experience managing CROs and other clinical service providers in a biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO environment.
- Demonstrated experience managing complex global clinical study budgets.
Technical Knowledge
- Strong understanding of ICH-GCP and clinical trial processes.
- Knowledge of vendor governance and outsourcing models.
- Experience with clinical financial management, forecasting, and accruals.
- Familiarity with CTMS, eTMF, procurement, and financial systems.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and reporting tools.
Skills / Competencies
- Financial Planning & Budget Control
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines
- Vendor and stakeholder management capability
- Adaptability in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Commitment to quality and compliance
- Negotiation and Influence
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Communication and Presentation Skills
- Strong problem-solving abilities with a proactive, solutions-focused mindset.
- Ability to work effectively in a matrixed, cross‑functional team environment.
- Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.