Director – Oncology Research Finance

The Director – Oncology Research Finance provides strategic and operational leadership for the end-to-end activation of oncology clinical trials across industry, cooperative group, investigator-initiated, and translational research portfolios.

This role oversees critical startup functions including research finance coordination, budget development, coverage analysis alignment, contract execution workflows, regulatory compliance, CTMS optimization, and research systems integration. The Associate Director is accountable for reducing activation timelines, improving operational efficiency, maximizing financial performance, and building scalable oncology research infrastructure aligned with institutional growth goals.

Key Responsibilities

Direct oncology trial activation operations from feasibility through site activation.

Establish startup performance metrics, dashboards, and accountability standards.

Identify delays across budgeting, contracting, regulatory, committee review, and system build processes.

Lead process redesign initiatives to reduce activation cycle times.

Ensure timely movement through PRMC, IRB, coverage analysis, budgeting, contracting, and system builds.

Sponsored Research Finance Strategy

Provides strategic planning for the financial aspects of sponsored oncology research.

Oversees development of budgets for industry, translational, foundation, and federally funded studies.

Provides detailed estimates of charges and costs for standard‑of‑care and research‑related activities, ensuring oncology‑specific labor costing models are used.

Performs financial feasibility analyses for new opportunities.

Reviews negotiated budgets to ensure alignment with institutional policies and operational needs.

Oversees budget amendments and financial impact assessments.

Portfolio Optimization

Evaluate incoming opportunities for financial viability, staffing capacity, and strategic fit.

Support prioritization of high‑value treatment and early phase studies.

Monitor study startup pipeline and projected activation inventory.

Provide leadership recommendations regarding portfolio balance and resource deployment.

Contracts / Cross‑Functional Execution

Partner with legal/contracts teams to prioritize and accelerate oncology agreements.

Escalate delays impacting enrollment opportunities or sponsor commitments.

Coordinate activation milestones across multiple departments.

Systems / Data Infrastructure

Oversee operational use of CTMS and related systems supporting startup.

Ensure budget information is accurately entered into the clinical trial management system.

Support reporting capabilities for activation timelines, finances, accrual readiness, and productivity.

Collaborate on OnCore / EPIC integration initiatives and workflow improvements.

Leadership and Talent Development

Direct managers and operational leaders within the Oncology Trial Activations team.

Establish clear performance expectations, service standards, and professional development plans.

Build a culture of accountability, responsiveness, and operational excellence.

Leadership and Talent Development (Reporting)

Prepare reports and presentations for the Director and Oncology Cancer Institute leadership.

Communicate startup risks, opportunities, revenue projections, and operational trends.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s preferred

6+ years clinical research administration experience

6+ years oncology research operations strongly preferred

Experience with budgets, contracts, regulatory startup, CTMS systems

Experience leading cross‑functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

OnCore expertise

EPIC research billing / integration experience

Oncology startup leadership

Success in Year 1

Faster trial activation

Stronger budget recovery

Better contract speed

Real‑time operational visibility

Reduced barriers impacting the clinical trial lifecycle

Higher investigator confidence

Increased revenue opportunity

Scalable infrastructure

Physical and Environmental Demands
sedentary Work - Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Normal routine involves no exposure to blood, body fluid or tissue and as part of their employment, incumbents are not called upon to assist in emergency care or first aid.

There is no occupational risk for exposure to communicable diseases.

Because the incumbent works within a healthcare setting, there may be occupational risk for exposure to hazardous medications or hazardous waste within the environment through receipt, transport, storage, preparation, dispensing, administration, cleaning and/or disposal of contaminated waste. The risk level of exposure may increase depending on the essential job duties of the role.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The employer is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability status.

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