Director, Financial Planning and Analysis
Velocity Clinical Research, Inc., Durham, North Carolina, United States, 27703
Overview
At Velocity, we are seeking a strategic and analytically driven Director of FP&A to lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis for our growing clinical research site management organization, headquartered in Durham, NC. This senior finance leader will partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver actionable insights that support site operations, clinical trial economics, growth initiatives, and long-term planning. The role oversees financial reporting, KPI dashboards, and team development while advancing a culture of data-driven decision-making.
The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is a key financial leadership role responsible for guiding the company's budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis processes. In partnership with senior leadership, this role provides strategic insights that drive decision-making, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning for a fast-paced clinical research environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical rigor, deep business acumen, and experience supporting operations in a site network, CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other life science services setting.
Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities: Strategic Financial Leadership
Lead the company's annual budgeting process, quarterly forecasting cycles, and multi-year financial planning activities. Develop financial strategies and scenario models to support corporate goals and growth initiatives, including new clinical programs, site expansions, and partnerships. Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
Financial Modeling & Analysis
Build and maintain sophisticated financial models to assess revenue forecasts, study profitability, site performance, headcount planning, and capital investments. Analyze clinical trial economics, including enrollment projections, per patient reimbursements, direct study costs, and overhead allocation. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities influencing financial performance and recommend mitigation or optimization strategies.
Reporting & Performance Management
Oversee monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages, including variance analyses, KPI dashboards, and operational performance metrics. Partner with clinical operations, BD, HR and other functions as needed to evaluate functional performance and contribute financial insight to operational decisions. Standardize and improve reporting processes and tools to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.
Business Partnership
Support pricing strategy, proposals, and study budget development for new business opportunities. Work cross functionally to evaluate study pipeline impacts, resource needs, and site-level performance metrics (e.g., enrollment rates, labor utilization). Collaborate with accounting to ensure alignment between FP&A outputs and financial statements.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FP&A team. Advance analytical capabilities across the organization through improved tools, systems, and processes. Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making.
Other duties as assigned. Required Skills/Abilities:
Exceptional financial modeling and quantitative analysis skills. Strong understanding of clinical research financial drivers. Advanced proficiency in Excel and BI tools. Outstanding communication skills. Proven leadership experience, including team management and cross-functional partnership. Travel as required, up to 10% of time. The role is on-site in the Durham, NC headquarters. Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field required; MBA or CPA strongly preferred. Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of progressive FP&A experience, ideally within clinical research, pharmaceuticals, biotech, or healthcare services. Experience supporting multi-site operational environments a strong plus.
NOTE: The above Job Description is intended to communicate the general function of the mentioned position and by no means should be considered an exhaustive or complete outline of the specific tasks and functions that will be required. Additionally, specific tasks and duties of the position are subject to change as the Company, the department and circumstances change. All employees are expected to perform their duties within their ability as required by the job and/or as requested by management
At Velocity, we are seeking a strategic and analytically driven Director of FP&A to lead budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis for our growing clinical research site management organization, headquartered in Durham, NC. This senior finance leader will partner closely with executive leadership and cross-functional teams to deliver actionable insights that support site operations, clinical trial economics, growth initiatives, and long-term planning. The role oversees financial reporting, KPI dashboards, and team development while advancing a culture of data-driven decision-making.
The Director of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A) is a key financial leadership role responsible for guiding the company's budgeting, forecasting, financial modeling, and performance analysis processes. In partnership with senior leadership, this role provides strategic insights that drive decision-making, resource allocation, and long-term financial planning for a fast-paced clinical research environment. The ideal candidate brings strong analytical rigor, deep business acumen, and experience supporting operations in a site network, CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or other life science services setting.
Responsibilities
Duties/Responsibilities: Strategic Financial Leadership
Lead the company's annual budgeting process, quarterly forecasting cycles, and multi-year financial planning activities. Develop financial strategies and scenario models to support corporate goals and growth initiatives, including new clinical programs, site expansions, and partnerships. Serve as a strategic advisor to executive leadership, providing actionable insights and recommendations.
Financial Modeling & Analysis
Build and maintain sophisticated financial models to assess revenue forecasts, study profitability, site performance, headcount planning, and capital investments. Analyze clinical trial economics, including enrollment projections, per patient reimbursements, direct study costs, and overhead allocation. Identify trends, risks, and opportunities influencing financial performance and recommend mitigation or optimization strategies.
Reporting & Performance Management
Oversee monthly and quarterly financial reporting packages, including variance analyses, KPI dashboards, and operational performance metrics. Partner with clinical operations, BD, HR and other functions as needed to evaluate functional performance and contribute financial insight to operational decisions. Standardize and improve reporting processes and tools to enhance accuracy, efficiency, and visibility.
Business Partnership
Support pricing strategy, proposals, and study budget development for new business opportunities. Work cross functionally to evaluate study pipeline impacts, resource needs, and site-level performance metrics (e.g., enrollment rates, labor utilization). Collaborate with accounting to ensure alignment between FP&A outputs and financial statements.
Team Leadership & Development
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing FP&A team. Advance analytical capabilities across the organization through improved tools, systems, and processes. Champion a culture of data-driven decision-making.
Other duties as assigned. Required Skills/Abilities:
Exceptional financial modeling and quantitative analysis skills. Strong understanding of clinical research financial drivers. Advanced proficiency in Excel and BI tools. Outstanding communication skills. Proven leadership experience, including team management and cross-functional partnership. Travel as required, up to 10% of time. The role is on-site in the Durham, NC headquarters. Qualifications
Education and Experience:
Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or related field required; MBA or CPA strongly preferred. Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of progressive FP&A experience, ideally within clinical research, pharmaceuticals, biotech, or healthcare services. Experience supporting multi-site operational environments a strong plus.
NOTE: The above Job Description is intended to communicate the general function of the mentioned position and by no means should be considered an exhaustive or complete outline of the specific tasks and functions that will be required. Additionally, specific tasks and duties of the position are subject to change as the Company, the department and circumstances change. All employees are expected to perform their duties within their ability as required by the job and/or as requested by management