Associate Director, Research Administration – National Center for Clinical Trials

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in United States.

📋 Description

• Provide leadership and oversight for the operational aspects of financial operations in enterprise clinical research, supporting industry-sponsored studies throughout the research lifecycle.

• Design and direct the activities of the clinical research finance team, which includes team selection, coaching, development, performance management, and workload distribution.

• Manage pre-award processes, including coverage analysis, research billing calendars, budget creation and negotiation, financial feasibility evaluations, and financial system implementations for study initiation.

• Supervise post-award functions, encompassing sponsor invoicing, payment reconciliation, accounts receivable management, collections, financial reporting, and study closeout procedures.

• Track operational metrics, budget negotiation performance, timelines for study activation, invoicing and collections, workload allocation, and service-level performance.

• Establish standardized financial procedures, workflows, policies, and best practices.

• Collaborate with departments such as contracting, compliance, revenue cycle, regulatory, IT, investigators, sponsors, and study teams.

• Act as an escalation point for complex financial, operational, and compliance challenges.

• Support the implementation, optimization, and use of OnCore, Epic, Huron, ClinCard, and related research administration and financial systems.

• Ensure compliance with the organization's Code of Ethical Conduct, policies, regulations, and applicable laws.

• Perform additional related duties as needed.

⛳️ Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Public Administration, Research Administration, or a related field.

• A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience in supporting clinical research financial operations, research administration, healthcare finance, grants administration, or similar functions.

• At least three (3) years of leadership, supervisory, or management experience overseeing research finance, research administration, or related professional teams.

• Experience in supporting both pre-award and post-award financial activities for industry-sponsored clinical research.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of clinical research financial management.

• Familiarity with coverage analysis, Medicare research billing compliance, budget creation and negotiation, sponsor invoicing, payment reconciliation, and accounts receivable management.

• Understanding of federal, state, sponsor, institutional, and regulatory requirements related to clinical research financial operations.

• Proficient in clinical trial management systems, financial systems, and electronic research administration platforms.

• Strong skills in financial analysis, operational analysis, and problem-solving.

• Ability to interpret financial data, identify operational trends, and formulate process-improvement recommendations.

• Excellent organizational, project management, and time-management abilities.

• Proficient in oral, written, and presentation communication.

• Capability to manage multiple priorities and competing deadlines in a dynamic environment.

• Demonstrated skills in leadership, coaching, mentoring, and personnel management.

• Ability to collaborate with investigators, sponsors, research personnel, revenue cycle teams, compliance offices, and executive leadership.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make independent decisions in complex operational and financial matters.

• Occasional travel may be necessary.

• Preferred: A Master's degree in Business Administration, Finance, Healthcare Administration, Accounting, Public Administration, Research Administration, or a related field.

• Preferred experience with enterprise-level clinical research financial operations, including pre-award and post-award industry-sponsored clinical trials, operational enhancements, OnCore, Epic Research, Huron Research Suite, ClinCard, CTMS platforms, performance dashboards, operational reporting, and analytics.

• Preferred advanced knowledge of research billing compliance, clinical research financial management, sponsor-funded clinical trial budgeting and reimbursement models, and healthcare revenue cycle processes.

🏝️ Benefits

• Comprehensive Total Rewards package.

• Competitive salary.

• Generous retirement plans.

• Career development opportunities.

• Paid Time Off programs.

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.

• Life insurance coverage.

• Short- and Long-Term Disability benefits.

• Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible healthcare and dependent care expenses.

• Adoption assistance programs.

• Paid parental leave.

• Defined contribution retirement plans with employer matching.

• Financial wellness initiatives.

• Educational Assistance Program.

• Incentive pay available for select positions.

• Potential for annual raises based on performance.

• Premium pay options, such as shift and on-call pay, based on role.