Vice President, Operational Finance (Clinical Research)

Vice President, Operational Finance (Clinical Research)

Alcanza is a growing multi-site, multi-phase clinical research company with a network of locations in AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, MA, MI, MO, NV, SC, TX, VA, and Puerto Rico. We have established a strong presence across Phase I-IV studies and several therapeutic areas including vaccine, neurology, dermatology, psychiatry, and general medicine. Join us as we continue to grow. The Vice President of Operational Finance provides enterprise-wide leadership of operational finance across a multi-site clinical research network. This role owns the site profitability insights, cost and margin management, and operational KPI governance; partners closely with Operations leadership to translate study performance and patient journey metrics into financial outcomes; and leads the annual planning process, rolling forecasts, scenario and sensitivity analysis, and executive reporting. The VP oversees FP&A and financial systems/ERP/BI to improve liquidity, working capital, and the cash conversion cycle, while supporting strategic initiatives such as acquisitions and de novo site openings.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior finance partner to Operations leadership (COO/VPs), aligning operational goals with financial outcomes and advising on study portfolio decisions and capacity planning.
• Own the enterprise annual operating plan (AOP), quarterly reforecasts, and monthly performance reviews; ensure goals are measurable and cascaded to sites.

• Design and maintain an operational finance scorecard that integrates site/study metrics with financial results; provide actionable insights to accelerate site performance and mitigate risks.
• Ensure standardized processes and reporting across the network to support consistency, efficiency, and scale.

• Direct the development of annual budgets and consolidated forecasts across business units; implement rolling forecasts and variance analyses.
• Use scenario and sensitivity analyses to evaluate potential outcomes; translate insights into executive recommendations and corrective actions.

• Partner with Business Development and Contracts to evaluate study economics, set pricing guardrails, and improve contribution margins.
• Monitor profit drivers (mix, throughput, staffing, vendor costs) and lead margin improvement programs.

• Oversee optimization of core financial systems and data governance to improve accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
• Strengthen internal controls, ensure accurate, timely, and complete financial reporting; coordinate external audits and lender reporting requirements.

• Oversee people management for assigned team, including interviewing, timecards, absence tracking/approvals, new hire orientation and training, performance appraisals, and other similar functions. Proactively identify and resolve issues and work to ensure successful team operations.
• Provide coaching and mentorship; promote cross-functional collaboration with Clinical Operations, Patient Experience, Recruitment Ops, Technology & Data.

• Handle escalated inquiries or issues. Escalate issues as appropriate or needed.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory guidelines and company policies.
• Participate and present in team, department, management or site meetings.
• Maintain a positive, results-oriented work environment, build partnerships within the team and across the organization at large, and model teamwork.
• Perform all other duties that may be requested or assigned

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

A bachelor's degree in finance or accounting AND 10+ years of progressive finance leadership experience including multi-site operational finance, and specifically within either clinical research or healthcare services, and within privity equity backed environments, is required. 2+ years of people management experience is required. Must have exceptional analytical skills, advanced financial modeling skills, and expert proficiency in Excel.

• May be required to travel up to 20% of the time, dependent on business needs.
• Proficiency with computer applications such as Microsoft applications, email, electronic health records, web applications, and the ability to type proficiently (40+ wpm).
• Must possess strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and have basic math proficiency.
• Executive-level communication skills with the ability to present complex analyses to senior leadership and the Board.
• Well-developed listening skills and the ability to work well independently as well as with co-workers, subjects, managers, and external customers
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and changes in workloads and priorities.
• Ability to be professional, respectful of others, self-motivated, and exemplify a strong work ethic
• Must possess a high degree of integrity and dependability
• Ability to work under minimal supervision, identify problems and implement solutions
• Ability to handle highly sensitive information in a confidential and professional manner, and in compliance with HIPAA guidelines

Benefits

• Full-time employees regularly scheduled to work at least 30 hours per week are benefits-eligible, with coverage starting on the first day of the month following date of hire.
• Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability insurance, health savings accounts, supplemental insurances, and a 401k plan with a safe harbor match are offered.

About Alcanza Clinical Research

Alcanza Clinical Research ("Alcanza") is a national, collaborative network of clinical research sites, founded on the mission to accelerate the development of new therapies by reducing barriers to clinical research participation for all. We conduct research on dozens of conditions in several therapeutic areas including psychiatry, neurology, dermatology, and infectious disease. Our work is important to the patients who participate, the scientists who develop these new therapies, and the entire medical community. Because all approved medications require clinical trials, the impact of your work is exponential, reaching many thousands of future patients and improving their quality of life. Alcanza is a culturally competent organization. We treat each other with dignity, creating an environment where all individuals feel welcome, heard, and respected for their unique perspectives and aspirations. We put considerable effort into finding exceptional employees who mirror the values most important to us: Inclusive, Impactful, Compassionate, and Determined.

that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, marital status, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, or any other category protected by law. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

Our Hiring Process

Stage 7: Formal Offer Stage 8: Background Check Stage 9: Hired Stage 1: Applied Stage 2: Review Stage 3: Initial Interview Stage 4: Hiring Manager Interview Stage 5: Hiring Manager Interview Stage 6: Site or Virtual Tour Stage 7: Formal Offer Stage 8: Background Check Stage 9: Hired Find out more

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