Budgets and Contracts Associate

Pinnacle Clinical Research•San Antonio, TX

6h•Onsite

About The Position

The Budgets and Contracts Associate supports the tracking, processing, negotiation, and execution of clinical research site budgets and contracts. This role reports directly to the Budgets and Contracts Manager and works closely under their direction to interpret study protocols from a financial perspective and assist in developing compliant, competitive budgets. The Associate collaborates with internal teams, research sites, and sponsor/CRO partners to support timely execution of agreements while ensuring accuracy, consistency, and audit readiness.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Healthcare Management, or a related field
3-5+ years of experience in clinical research budgets, contracts, or a related healthcare field
Foundational understanding of clinical trial processes and financial structures
Working knowledge of compliance, audit processes, and documentation standards in healthcare or clinical research
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Proficiency in Microsoft Office and web-based systems
Ability to take direction and apply feedback in a dynamic environment

Nice To Haves

Experience or exposure to healthcare audit, financial compliance, or audit support is strongly preferred
Experience supporting contract negotiations and/or clinical trial budgets preferred
Proficiency in CTMS, CRM, or similar platforms preferred

Responsibilities

Support the development, negotiation, and finalization of clinical trial budgets and contracts under the direction of the Budgets and Contracts Manager.
Review study protocols to identify procedures and support accurate budget build-outs aligned with sponsor requirements and internal standards.
Coordinate with internal teams, research sites, sponsors, and CROs to facilitate communication and ensure timely progression of budgets and agreements.
Track assigned studies and deliverables, ensuring timelines are met and proactively escalating delays or risks to the Budgets and Contracts Manager.
Maintain complete and accurate documentation to ensure compliance with internal policies, regulatory requirements, and FMV standards.
Support audit readiness and respond to audit-related requests as needed.
Conduct routine audits of the CTMS system to ensure all financial data, including budget line items, invoicing triggers, and payment terms, accurately align with fully executed contracts. Identify discrepancies, perform reconciliation, and escalate or resolve issues in coordination with the Budgets and Contracts Manager.
Maintain accurate records within internal systems and assist in reporting related to contract status, budget metrics, and execution timelines.
Follow established templates, processes, and negotiation guidance to ensure consistency across all agreements, while identifying opportunities for process improvement.
Partner with regulatory, operations, and finance teams to support study startup and ongoing financial coordination.