Analyst, Contracting & Budgeting

PhaseWell Research•Nashville, TN

About The Position

PhaseWell Research is a PE-backed, multi-site clinical research network operating across oncology, cardiometabolic, CNS (including neurodegeneration and psychiatry), dermatology, and pulmonary indications. We are seeking a highly organized and driven Analyst, Contracting and Budgeting to support sponsor-facing contracting and budgeting activities across our Site Network. This individual contributor role supports the timely and accurate execution of clinical trial agreements (CTAs) and study budgets in partnership with sponsors and CROs. The ideal candidate brings a solid finance foundation, exceptional analytical skills, and working knowledge of site-level contract and budget processes, paired with the agility to operate in a fast-paced, evolving clinical research environment. This person approaches the work with an AI- and automation-first mindset, instinctively looking for ways to use technology to accelerate analysis, reduce manual effort, and sharpen negotiation positions. This person will grow into a trusted resource for internal stakeholders, helping our network operate with consistency, compliance, and commercial competitiveness.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, Business, or a related field
Demonstrated finance or accounting background, including financial modeling and budget analysis
Minimum 3 years of industry experience in finance, contracts, or budgeting within the pharmaceutical, CRO, or clinical research site industry
Experience negotiating Clinical Trial Agreements and study budgets with sponsors and CROs
Strong working knowledge of clinical trial regulations, GCP/ICH guidelines, and industry best practices for site-level contracting
Working proficiency in contract redlining, risk identification, and legal language interpretation
Advanced skills in budget analysis, fair market value assessment, and financial modeling
Exceptional analytical skills, with the ability to dissect complex budgets and contract terms, identify patterns and outliers in data, and translate analysis into clear, defensible negotiation positions
AI- and automation-first mindset — actively adopts AI and automation tools to eliminate manual work, accelerate turnaround, and raise the quality of analysis
Exceptional organizational skills; able to manage multiple negotiations and deliverables at once
Self-motivated, driven, and accountable, with a track record of meeting aggressive timelines
Flexible and adaptable, with a strong appetite for learning and the ability to thrive amid change
Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate complex contract and budget concepts for diverse audiences
High attention to detail paired with sound business judgment and a strategic mindset
Collaborative team player who can also work independently and see initiatives through to completion

Nice To Haves

Experience working within a multi-site network or integrated site organization
Familiarity with CTMS, contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, and budgeting tools
Background partnering with in-house or external legal counsel on clinical agreements
Hands-on experience applying AI tools (e.g., generative AI, contract analytics, or automation platforms) to contracting, budgeting, or financial analysis workflows

Responsibilities

Support sponsor and CRO contract and budget negotiations across the Site Network
Assist with the negotiation of Clinical Trial Agreements, Confidentiality Agreements, Master Service Agreements, and associated amendments
Help build and maintain strong working relationships with sponsor and CRO counterparts to facilitate efficient deal-making and protect site interests
Advocate for fair market value and equitable terms while balancing speed-to-activation goals
Prepare, review, and analyze study budgets, including per-patient costs, pass-through expenses, invoiceable items, and overhead recovery
Conduct fair market value assessments and benchmark comparisons to support negotiation positions
Identify financial risks, gaps, and opportunities in proposed budgets and recommend mitigations
Ensure budgets accurately reflect protocol-required activities and align with site cost structures
Perform first-pass redlining and review of contract language to identify risk, ensure compliance, and align terms with company standards and regulatory requirements
Escalate and partner with internal team on complex provisions, including indemnification, intellectual property, publication rights, and confidentiality clauses
Help maintain and improve contract templates, fallback language, and playbooks to drive consistency across the network
Ensure all executed agreements are properly documented, tracked, and stored
Serve as a contracting and budgeting resource for site staff, study teams, and operational leaders
Partner with Clinical Operations, Finance, Regulatory, and Site Activation teams to ensure aligned execution and timely study start-up
Track and report on key contracting and budgeting metrics, including cycle times, financial outcomes, and negotiation trends
Lead process improvement initiatives with an AI- and automation-first lens, identifying opportunities to apply AI tools, automation, and data analytics to streamline budget development, contract review, and reporting across the network