Manager, Finance (Clinical Research)

Title: Manager, Finance (Clinical Research)

Location: Fountain Valley / Predominantly Remote

Department: Research Administration

Status: Full Time

Shift: Exempt

Pay Range*: $115,169.60 - $172,723.20/annually

MemorialCare is a nonprofit integrated health system that includes four leading hospitals, award-winning medical groups – consisting of over 200 sites of care, and more than 2,000 physicians throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. We are committed to increasing access to patient-centric, affordable, and high-quality healthcare; your personal contributions are integral to MemorialCare's recognition as a market leader and innovator in value-based and other care models.

Across our family of medical centers, we support each one of our bright, talented employees in reaching the highest levels of professional development, contribution, collaboration, and accountability. Whatever your role and whatever expertise you bring, we are dedicated to helping you achieve your full potential in an environment of respect, innovation, and teamwork.

Position Summary

The Manager of Research Finance oversees the entire lifecycle of research grants, ensuring compliance with sponsor regulations and efficient financial performance. Key duties include delivering coverage analysis, budgeting, contracting, and reconciliation of costs for sponsored research projects. The role manages accounts payable/receivable, pre/post-award grants, and prepares financial reports. Responsibilities also include financial guidance, capital management, expense approval, and ensuring budget and policy compliance. The manager collaborates with finance and research leadership to meet financial goals, develops service line performance metrics, and leads the mentorship and development of the finance team.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities of the Job

Financial Management and Oversight

• Manage post-award activities for industry-sponsored clinical research projects
• Facilitate development and management of internal and external budgets for research protocols
• Ensure financial accountability and serve as primary liaison between sponsors, corporate finance, and research management groups
• Monitor study expenses, enrollment activity, scheduled visits, study milestones, and invoiced activities
• Coordinate with finance teams to track financial status against budgets
• Manage monthly accruals and core FP&A.
• Conduct budget variance analysis (budget vs. actual) and forecasting

Invoicing and Revenue Management

• Generate invoices for study startups, milestones, per-patient visits, and administrative fees
• Ensure accurate and timely payments from industry clinical trial sponsors
• Monitor and apply payments received against invoices and tracked study visits
• Recognize clinical trials revenue within financial systems
• Manage accounts receivable for clinical research accounts

Expense Management

• Monitor the appropriateness of clinical trial expenses
• Process and pay study-related expenses to internal and external vendors
• Reconcile and facilitate payments to investigators
• Manage patient stipends and travel reimbursements

Compliance and Reporting

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including GCP/ICH guidelines and institutional policies
• Assist in audit tasks and support for study assignments
• Generate monthly, quarterly, and executive summary reports for stakeholders

Team Management and Leadership

• Supervise research finance team. Responsible for hiring, terminating, disciplinary actions and performance reviews.
• Provide training and guidance on financial processes and compliance requirements
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including clinical operations, senior leadership, regulatory, and compliance.

Process Improvement and Systems Management

• Implement and optimize financial management systems and processes
• Utilize and integrate data from multiple financial and clinical databases (e.g., CTMS, EHR, Finance systems)
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures for financial management
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy

Study Closeout and Reconciliation

• Manage the financial aspects of study closeout processes
• Reconcile accounts and evaluate remaining balances at study completion
• Coordinate final payments and resolve any financial discrepancies
• Ensure proper closure of financial accounts in relevant systems

Strategic Planning and Budgeting

• Contribute to long-term financial planning for the research department
• Assist in developing annual budgets and forecasts for clinical research activities
• Provide financial insights to support strategic decision-making in clinical trial management

Vendor Management

• Oversee financial aspects of vendor contracts and agreements
• Review and approve vendor invoices and payments
• Ensure vendor compliance with financial terms and conditions

*Placement in the pay range is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to, relevant years of experience and qualifications. In addition to base pay, there may be additional compensation available for this role, including but not limited to, shift differentials, extra shift incentives, and bonus opportunities. Health and wellness is our passion at MemorialCare—that includes taking good care of employees and their dependents. We offer high quality health insurance plan options, so you can select the best choice for your family. And there’s more...Check out our MemorialCare Benefits for more information about our Benefits and Rewards.

Minimum Requirements

Qualifications/Work Experience:

• Analytical skills to assess financial information, define problems, formulate logical solutions, develop alternative solutions, make recommendations, and initiate corrective actions
• Close attention to detail to ensure accuracy in a fast-paced, fluctuating workload environment
• Expertise in using data analytics tools like Power BI for financial reporting and analysis
• Strong GAAP knowledge
• Strong Excel skills
• Familiarity with state and federal policies affecting Research and Grant financial activities
• Familiarity with 2CFR 200 audit requirements and A-122 cost principles or willingness to learn

Education/Licensure/Certification:

• Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Clinical Research