Finance Director, Cell Therapy Clinical Operations

Job Summary

The main purpose of this role is to support the delivery of the Global Clinical R&D portfolio and clinical projects. The delivery of clinical projects should be to agreed productivity, within agreed budget and to inspection ready quality standards. The Finance Director will lead business and process improvement projects to drive better business outcomes and implement agreed improvements across the organization. The Finance Director will support Global CTCO SMM with systems and finance support to meeting monthly reporting timelines and to plan, control and follow-up on business information (e.g. CTMS, ABACUS) in compliance with AZ Procedural Documents, international guidelines such as ICH-GCP, and relevant local regulations. The Finance Director will support all clinical projects in Global CTCO SMM providing access to business & finance information and liaising with LDO Finance Director and local/regional Finance Department as well as gather and interpret insight on CTCO SM&M organization.

In addition to Gaithersburg, MD this role can be based in Boston, MA, San Francisco, CA, or Santa Monica, CA, offering flexibility across these locations.

You will:

• Provide CTCO SMM - global with support of financial forecasts and other resource related processes in line with requirement of Finance Director.
• Ensure accuracy of all financial reporting both internal and external costs.
• Provides a high level of application and information system expertise to the business to maximize reliability, productivity, speed, quality and cost containment.
• Assist in the continuous improvement of CTCO SMM in terms of compliance and key performance indicators. This includes reviewing performance and resource data to be able to deliver status reports.
• Support and implement strategy for efficient and effective use of all clinical systems (CTMS, Rave, ABACUS) in CTCO SMM including access management, end user support, compliance reporting, conduct training and testing as needed.
• Ensure financial processes and practices are understood and adhered to within the department.
• Fulfil accountabilities of SOX as needed.
• Ensure that all users understand how ACCORD/ABACUS operates. Provide ACCORD/ABACUS training and give appropriate first line support to local users.
• Participate actively in the ACCORD/ABACUS user forums with suggestions and feedback on ACCORD/ABACUS/ process related questions
• Ensure correct and up to date LSADs input into key systems ACCORD/ABACUS) especially subject fees.
• Manage and maintain monthly ACCORD/ABACUS, SAP and Finance Month End processes.
• Ensure global and local financial systems are utilized correctly through training of users and review of processes and data.
• Partner with local finance department and tax group as necessary to ensure effective Scientific Research and Experimental Development submissions and audits.
• Provide support to the negotiation and finalization of contracts and purchase orders as needed.
• Implement and analyze quality metrics in relation to study process objectives with a specific focus on analysis of financial data and resource usage and management.
• Management and analysis of monthly ACCORD submissions.
• Analysis of clinical trial spend and reporting.
• Data collection and preparation for local information requests (studies, investments by phase, by TA, etc.).
• Global representation/participation and local representation/participation on systems and financial projects.
• Conduct activities and interactions consistent with Company values and in compliance with the Code of Conduct and supporting Policies relevant to the role. Complete all required training on the AZ Code of Conduct and supporting Policies on time. Report potential issues of noncompliance.
• Implement proper controls performed by LSADs and Country Heads, including attestation control and balance sheet review control.
• Ensuring readiness for the rollout of new ABACUS system.
• Actively look for best practices in countries that could be shared and developed with others.
• Develop budgets, budget reporting, other financial reports and analysis.
• Follows quality issue processes by escalating systematic or serious quality issues, data privacy breaches, CSP or ICH-GCP compliance issues to Local Management and/or CQM as required.

You have:

• College diploma/university degree in computer science or business-related discipline.
• More than 5 years of experience in a clinical trial environment.
• Good understanding of Finance control in the business setting and knowledge of financial reporting.
• Good understanding and keen interest in IT and data capture systems
• Strong strategic and analytical thinking.
• Good cultural awareness.
• Ability to develop advanced computer skills to increase efficiency in day-to-day tasks.
• Ability to train others on systems processes.
• Display excellent organization and time management skills, excellent attention to detail, and ability to multi-task in a high-volume environment with shifting priorities.
• Sound knowledge or clinical process and good clinical practice.
• Excellent communication, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Team oriented and flexible; ability to respond quickly to shifting demands and opportunities.

Desired skills:

• Ability to work in an environment of remote collaborators.
• Manages change with a positive approach for self, team and the business. Sees change as an opportunity to improve performance and add value to the business.
• Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective methods/processes of delivering quality clinical trials with reduced budget and in less time.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Demonstrates ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks with conflicting deadlines.
• Ability to understand the impact of technology on projects and to use and develop computer skills while making appropriate use of systems/software in an enabled environment.

Benefits offered include: 

A qualified retirement program [401(k) plan] 

Paid vacation, holidays, and paid leaves 

Health benefits including medical, prescription drug, dental, and vision coverage following the terms and conditions of the applicable plans. 

Additional details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an employee receives an offer of employment. The annual base salary for this position ranges from $148,000 to $222,000. However, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition, our positions offer a short-term incentive bonus opportunity; eligibility to participate in our equity-based long-term incentive program (salaried roles), to receive a retirement contribution (hourly roles), and commission payment eligibility (sales roles). 

Date Posted

Closing Date

Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.