This Associate Director of Project Finance role at PAREXEL offers a senior leadership opportunity to drive the financial performance and strategic decision-making for a global portfolio of clinical research projects. You will serve as a key financial strategist and "player-coach," leading a high-performing team while directly partnering with Project Leaders to maximize profitability, manage risk, and shape the financial future of groundbreaking clinical trials. This position represents the pinnacle of project finance within one of the world's leading Clinical Research Organizations (CROs).
Key Responsibilities & Strategic Impact:
- Financial Leadership & Strategy: Act as the primary finance partner for Project Leaders and Portfolio Directors, providing strategic insights on project forecast variances, profitability, and revenue recognition for a complex global project portfolio.
- Performance Optimization: Lead the analysis and reporting for project revenue, forecasting, and unbilled/deferred positions to maximize financial goals (revenue, profitability, cash flow) across assigned accounts and customers.
- Risk Management & Controls: Proactively identify financial risks, enforce SOX controls, ensure data integrity, and implement process improvements to safeguard project and portfolio performance.
- Team Leadership & Development: Manage, mentor, and develop a team of Finance Business Partners (FBPs), setting performance objectives and fostering a culture of continuous improvement and financial excellence.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Build strong relationships with senior leadership, functional heads, and global clients, serving as a trusted advisor on all financial matters related to clinical project portfolios.
Required Qualifications & Experience:
- Qualified CA, CMA, or MBA in Finance from a reputed institution
- 15+ years of progressive experience in FP&A, Revenue Accounting, and Financial Reporting within a global corporate environment
- Proven track record of managing large, global finance teams and senior stakeholder relationships
- Deep expertise in financial controls, SOX compliance, and revenue recognition principles
- Advanced proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and financial performance systems (e.g., Hyperion)
Leadership Competencies & Skills:
- Strategic Business Partnering: Ability to translate complex financial data into actionable business insights and influence senior-level decision-making.
- Project Portfolio Management: Expertise in monitoring key financial performance indicators and driving improvements across a portfolio of projects.
- People Leadership: Demonstrated success as a "player-coach" who can mentor, coach, and develop a high-performing team while managing complex deliverables.
- Change Management: Adept at recommending and implementing process improvements in a complex, matrixed global organization.
- Communication & Influence: Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills, with the ability to conduct crucial conversations and present effectively to diverse stakeholders.
Why This Role is a Career-Defining Opportunity:
This is not just a finance leadership role—it's a chance to sit at the strategic intersection of finance and clinical research innovation. You will have direct impact on the financial health of projects that advance new medical treatments to market. At PAREXEL, a global leader in clinical research, you will enjoy unparalleled visibility, influence key business decisions, and lead a team at the forefront of project financial management in the life sciences sector.
Career Growth & Professional Environment:
- Lead financial strategy for a significant customer account or portfolio within a top-tier CRO
- Manage and develop a team of finance professionals in a global, matrixed structure
- Engage with senior leadership and influence the financial direction of critical clinical trials
- Drive process improvement and standardization across global project finance operations
- Participate in strategic initiatives that shape the future of clinical research finance
About PAREXEL's Global Impact:
PAREXEL is a leading global Clinical Research Organization (CRO) dedicated to supporting the development of innovative new medicines to improve patient health. Through our work in clinical trials, regulatory consulting, and market access, we help biopharmaceutical clients navigate the complex journey from clinical concept to approved treatment. This role sits at the heart of our mission, ensuring the financial excellence that enables this vital work to continue.
