Operations Finance Director, Clinical Research Central Laboratory

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

Operations Finance Director – Clinical Research (Central Laboratory)

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, our Finance teams play a critical role in enabling informed, strategic decision-making that advances our Mission to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. Across Financial Planning & Analysis, Tax, Treasury, Financial Reporting, Audit, Investor Relations, Strategy & Corporate Development, and Accounting, our global Finance organization provides diverse opportunities to shape business outcomes, drive innovation, and build meaningful career experiences.

How you will make an impact
Reporting to the Executive Director, Finance, the Operations Finance Director (band 9) is a strategic leader responsible for driving financial excellence across global clinical research operations inclusive of analytical laboratory services. This role provides oversight and direction for operations finance activities across the clinical trial lifecycle with accountability for project delivery, financial controls, and financial reporting.

You will serve as a key business partner to senior leadership, delivering actionable insights that influence portfolio strategy and study-level profitability. By identifying opportunities for process optimization and operational efficiency, you will help strengthen financial performance while ensuring compliance with sponsor contracts, regulatory requirements, and internal policies. Additionally, you will build, mentor, and lead a high-performing finance team that supports a complex, global portfolio of clinical trials.

This is a hybrid office role for candidates in Wilmington, NC, Raleigh, NC or Highland Heights KY.

What you will do:

• Partner cross-functionally with Project Management, Business Development, Commercial Finance, and Legal to ensure financial risks are identified and addressed early in the study lifecycle
• Establish and maintain operating mechanisms that improve visibility into study financial performance, including budget tracking, variance analysis, and risk forecasting
• Translate financial insights into actionable recommendations that influence operational and commercial decision-making
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance financial processes, reduce cycle times, and improve data quality and reporting consistency
• Drive accountability across stakeholders for financial performance, contract alignment, and execution against budget
• Coordinate and oversee sponsor financial audits, ensuring compliance with contractual terms, regulatory expectations, and audit readiness standards
• Develop and implement scalable strategies that improve quality, efficiency, and accuracy across financial operations supporting clinical trials
• Build, lead, and develop a high-performing, globally distributed finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and growth

How you will get here

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification (Advanced degree preferred)
• Previous progressive finance experience within a complex, global organization that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 10+ years’ experience) 
• Demonstrated leadership experience with increasing levels of responsibility
• In some cases, an equivalency, consisting of appropriate education, training, and/or directly related experience will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Understanding of clinical research operations including laboratory analysis
• Experience supporting financial management of clinical trials, including study budgets and pass-through costs
• Deep knowledge of revenue recognition principles (within a Central Laboratory environment preferred)
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey complex financial concepts to clinical, operational, and executive stakeholders
• Strong executive presence and the ability to deliver impactful presentations to senior leadership and external sponsors
• Highly analytical with advanced problem-solving and critical thinking capabilities
• Proven ability to interpret complex financial and operational data and translate insights into actionable strategies
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and results-driven, with a strong sense of ownership and accountability in a fast-paced clinical environment
• Demonstrated success in leading teams and influencing outcomes 
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build relationships across global teams, including clinical, regulatory, and commercial partners
• High level of integrity and alignment with Thermo Fisher Scientific’s 4i Values: Integrity, Innovation, Involvement, and Intensity

This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategy of a global clinical research organization, directly supporting the delivery of life-changing therapies while developing talent and driving meaningful business impact!

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, we are committed to fostering a healthy and harmonious workplace for our employees. We understand the importance of creating an environment that allows individuals to excel. Please see below for the required qualifications for this position, which also includes the possibility of equivalent experience:

• Able to communicate, receive, and understand information and ideas with diverse groups of people in a comprehensible and reasonable manner.
• Able to work upright and stationary for typical working hours. 
• Ability to use and learn standard office equipment and technology with proficiency.
• Able to perform successfully under pressure while prioritizing and handling multiple projects or activities. 
• May require as-needed travel (0-20%). 

Location: Wilmington, NC, Raleigh, NC or Highland Heights KY. Relocation assistance is NOT provided.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship. 

*Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screening.

The annual salary range estimated for this position in North Carolina is $145,000 - $170,000 USD. This position may also be eligible to receive a variable annual bonus based on company, team, and/or individual performance results in accordance with company policy.