Specialist/Senior Specialist, Clinical Budgets and Contracts

Axsome Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company leading a new era in the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) conditions. We deliver scientific breakthroughs by identifying critical gaps in care and develop differentiated products with a focus on novel mechanisms of action that enable meaningful advancements in patient outcomes. Our industry-leading neuroscience portfolio includes FDA-approved treatments for major depressive disorder, agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease, excessive daytime sleepiness associated with narcolepsy and obstructive sleep apnea, and migraine, as well as multiple novel product candidates addressing a broad range of serious neurological and psychiatric conditions that impact over 150 million people in the United States. Together, we are on a mission to solve some of the brain’s biggest problems so patients and their loved ones can flourish. For more information, please visit us at and follow us on  LinkedIn and  X .

About This Role

Axsome Therapeutics is seeking a Specialist/Senior Specialist, Clinical Budgets and Contracts to assist in the financial oversight of Axsome-sponsored clinical trials. Reporting to the Associate Director, Clinical Budgets and Contracts, this role will lead CDA review and processing through execution, develop and negotiate site budgets from study start-up through close-out, and support site payments. The role will work closely with the Finance, Legal and Clinical teams.

This role is based at Axsome’s HQ in New York City with an on-site requirement of at least three days per week. We are unable to consider candidates who are looking for fully remote roles. 

Job Responsibilities and Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Lead the review and execution of CDAs and NMDAs for Clinical and liaise with Legal, as needed
• Develop clinical trial site budgets for assigned trials and incorporate feedback from the study team
• Negotiate clinical trial site budgets and payment terms for assigned trials, and liaise with Legal on contract negotiations, as needed
• Assist in building site organizations and contacts, site budgets, and payment terms in the site payment system
• Maintain a master site budget tracker for assigned trials
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date contract files, databases, and workflow trackers
• Monitor study CTA milestones and deadlines to ensure timely completion
• Facilitate QC review and execution of finalized clinical trial agreements, as needed
• Support the site payment process from study start-up through payment query resolution throughout the study period
• Support responses to queries in the Site Payments Inbox, as needed
• Support accruals, expenses, and payment reporting, as needed
• Support the Finance team audit process, as needed
• Participate in identifying and discussing opportunities to enhance existing procedures and improve utilization of financial system tools
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Requirements / Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
• 1–3 years of experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or clinical research industry, including at least 1–2 years of direct budget negotiation experience
• Excellent analytical skills, including advanced proficiency in Excel and the ability to quickly manipulate and analyze large data sets and build reports
• Ability to work on site Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. We are unable to consider candidates seeking fully remote roles

Experience, Knowledge and Skills

• Strong knowledge of clinical trials and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Experience with project management tools such as Smartsheet is a plus
• Experience with data processing tools such as Power BI is a plus
• Self-driven, with the ability to work independently and collaboratively, as required, in a fast-paced team environment
• Strong ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines

Salary and Benefits:

The anticipated salary range for this role is $80,000 - $100,000. The salary offer will be based on a variety of factors, including experience, qualifications, internal equity and location. Axsome offers a competitive employment package that includes an annual bonus, significant equity and a generous benefits package.

Axsome is committed to equal employment opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. We value and encourage diversity and solicit applications from all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, religion, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, citizenship, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.  

Axsome Therapeutics does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or third-party recruitment agencies and will not pay placement fees for unsolicited candidates that are sent to hiring managers, the HR team or other Axsome team members. Only approved vendors who have been explicitly asked to support a specific search will receive access to our Applicant Tracking System to submit candidates for consideration.