Director, Project Finance

Everest Clinical Research (“Everest”) is a full-service contract research organization (CRO) providing a broad range of expertise-based clinical research services to worldwide pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device industries. We serve some of the best-known companies and work with many of the most advanced drugs, biologics, and medical devices in development today.

Everest has been an independent CRO since 2004 with a strong foundation as a statistical and data management center of excellence. Building on this foundation, Everest has successfully developed and established itself as a full-service CRO. Everest’s headquarters are located in Markham (Greater Toronto Area), Ontario, Canada with additional sites in Bridgewater (Greater New York City Area), New Jersey, USA, Shanghai (Pudong Zhangjiang New District), China, Taipei, Taiwan and Sofia, Bulgaria.

Everest is known in the industry for its high-quality deliverables, superior customer service, and flexibility in meeting clients’ needs. A dynamic organization with an entrepreneurial origin, Everest continues to experience exceptional growth and great success.

Quality is our backbone, customer-focus is our tradition, flexibility is our strength…that’s us…that’s Everest.

To drive continued success, we are seeking committed, skilled, and customer-focused individual to join our winning team as Director, Project Finance or our Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA on-site location, or remotely from a home-based office anywhere in the USA in accordance with our Work from Home policy. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director, Project Finance is responsible for overseeing the financial management and performance of clinical trial projects at Everest. This role partners closely with Project Management, Clinical Operations, Corporate Finance and Business Development to ensure accurate budgeting, forecasting, strong financial discipline, and attainment of project and portfolio profitability targets.

Reporting to the Vice President, Project Finance, the Director, Project Finance will serve as the primary finance partner to delivery teams, driving project financial accountability and data-driven analysis and decision-making across the project lifecycle.

JOB ACCONTABILITIES

Project Financial Oversight

• Oversee Project Finance team inclusive of portfolio assignments, line management, and supporting new hire process as required by the position.
• Oversee financial performance of a portfolio of clinical trial projects, including revenue, costs, margins, and cash flow.
• Ensure accurate revenue recognition in compliance with general accounting and company policies.
• Monitor project budgets, identify variances, and partner with project teams to implement corrective actions.
• Drive consistency in financial management practices across projects and clients.

Forecasting & Financial Planning

• Lead monthly project forecasting processes, including revenue, backlog, and margin projections.
• Improve forecast accuracy through robust analytics and collaboration with project managers.
• Support long-range planning for the project portfolio.
• Analyze trends and provide actionable insights to improve predictability and performance.
• Maintain project costs analysis and forecasts, establish escalation processes for financial issues impacting project or portfolio performance.

Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic finance partner to Project Management and Clinical Operations leadership.

• Provide guidance on financial implications of project decisions, including resourcing, timelines, and scope changes, scope creep, underperformance, and billing delays.

• Support Business Development during proposal development with budget reviews and financial input.
• Participate in key governance meetings and portfolio reviews.

Pricing & Contract Support

• Review project budgets and ensure alignment with contractual terms and operational assumptions.
• Partner with commercial teams to support pricing strategies while maintaining margin integrity.
• Identify financial risks in contracts and assist in mitigation planning.
• Oversee Commercial Contracts associates

Performance Reporting & Analytics

• Develop and deliver regular reporting on project financial performance, KPIs, and risk indicators.
• Analyze variance analyses and present findings to senior leadership.
• Identify opportunities to enhance profitability, efficiency, and cost control.

Team Leadership

• Directly manage and develop a team of 5 Project Finance and Commercial Contracts professionals based in North America and Europe.
• Set clear objectives, provide coaching, and support career development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive standardization and best practices within the project finance function.

REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration/management, finance, accounting, or related field (Master’s preferred).

Experience

• 15+ years of experience in business management, with a strong focus on project finance, or operational finance.
• Experience in CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or healthcare services is required.
• Demonstrated experience partnering with project management or delivery organizations.
• Prior experience managing direct reports and developing teams.

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of project-based revenue recognition and forecasting. Experience with cost-to-cost project accounting is a plus.
• Advanced Excel and project budgeting skills.
• Experience with project financial management systems is a plus.
• Experience in building new systems/platform related to project financial management is a plus

Core Competencies

• Strong business and financial acumen
• Effective stakeholder engagement and superior written communication skills
• Leadership and team development
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving
• Ability to operate in a fast-paced, matrixed environment
• Detail-oriented with a focus on accuracy and accountability

Reporting Structure

• Reports to: VP, Project Finance
• Direct Reports: 4-5 Project Finance Managers/Analysts and Commercial Contracts Specialists
• Key Interfaces: Project Management, Clinical Operations, Business Development, Contracts, Senior Leadership

Work Environment

• Hybrid or remote work environment
• Collaboration across global teams and time zones is a must
• Able to travel for extended periods (1-2 weeks) to Europe and/or APAC as needed (2-3 per year)

Benefits & Compensation:

We offer a robust benefits package to support your health, well-being, and growth, including medical, dental, and vision coverage, life & AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, tuition reimbursement, fitness reimbursement, employee assistance program (EAP), a 401(k) retirement / pension plan, generous paid time off and sick leave, and the opportunity to earn a performance based bonus.

Estimated Salary Range: $180,000 - $200,000.

To find out more about Everest Clinical Research and to review other opportunities, please visit our website at www.everestclinical.com. 

We thank all interested applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Everest is committed to upholding the principles of dignity, independence, integration, and equal opportunity. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities, and upon request we will provide accommodations for candidates participating in any part of our recruitment and selection process.

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