At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage budgets for life-changing clinical trials and provide financial insights.
- Company: Join Novartis, a leader in innovative medicine with a global impact.
- Benefits: Hybrid or remote work options, competitive salary, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to learn and grow in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in healthcare by optimising trial delivery and influencing decisions.
- Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in finance or life sciences; experience in budget management preferred.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Primary Location: London, United Kingdom - Hybrid or Remote
Other Locations: Dublin, Ireland - Hybrid
The office location for the role is Westworks, London, UK and can be either a Hybrid or Remote. Remote working can be considered, subject to eligibility criteria, and can be discussed at interview stage.
This role is also available in Dublin, Ireland. If you are based in this location please apply to the Dublin advertisement.
Relocation Support: This role is based in London, United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.
Join a team where your financial insight directly enables the success of life-changing clinical trials. As a Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager, you will sit at the intersection of clinical operations and finance—translating complex study assumptions into clear, actionable financial insights that guide decision-making. You will take ownership of budget planning, rolling forecast, and performance across a portfolio of clinical trials, working closely with Clinical Trial Teams and finance stakeholders to ensure transparency and accuracy at every stage. This role offers the opportunity to combine analytical expertise with real influence—partnering across a global, matrix environment to drive smarter decisions, optimize trial delivery, and ultimately accelerate the development of innovative medicines for patients.
Key Responsibilities
- Understand and translate study assumptions into clear financial forecasts and explain drivers to clinical teams and finance partners.
- Analyze variances between actuals and forecasts, provide root-cause rationale, and drive actions to reduce volatility.
- Update clinical work packages and financial data in source systems to ensure accuracy and audit readiness.
- Manage scope changes to endorsed budgets, document rationale, and prepare materials for governance reviews.
- Ensure compliance with Development operational and forecasting processes.
- Identify cost-avoidance opportunities and partner with stakeholders to optimise trial-level financial performance.
- Partner with Clinical Trial Teams and Finance to align on reporting and decision-making.
- Act as subject matter expert for budgeting tools, analytics, and reporting, driving process improvements.
- Support training, implementation, and compliance with operational and financial governance standards.
Essential Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, finance, business, or related discipline.
- Experience in clinical trial budget management, project management, or financial planning within pharmaceutical or contract research organization environments.
- Strong financial analysis capability, with ability to interpret, forecast, and clearly explain budget performance.
- Understanding of clinical trial processes and ability to translate study assumptions into financial outputs.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in a global matrix environment and manage diverse stakeholders.
- Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to both clinical teams and finance partners.
- Experience working with financial systems, dashboards, or reporting tools to support accurate forecasting and tracking.
- Strong learning agility, enabling independent management of a clinical trial portfolio after onboarding.
Desirable Requirements
- Curiosity and openness to adopting new tools, including artificial intelligence, to optimise processes and ways of working.
Skills Desired
- Budget Management
- Clinical Trials
- Negotiation Skills
- Process Improvement
- Project Planning
- Vendor Management
- Waterfall Model
Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager in London employer: Novartis
At Novartis, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. As a Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager based in London, you will enjoy the flexibility of hybrid or remote working arrangements, alongside opportunities for professional growth within a global matrix environment. Our commitment to employee development, coupled with the chance to make a meaningful impact on life-changing clinical trials, makes Novartis a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. Understand their values and how your skills align with their needs. This will help you stand out and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain your experience and how it relates to the Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager role. Keep it concise but impactful—this is your chance to shine!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager. Highlight your experience in clinical trial budget management and financial analysis, and don’t forget to mention any relevant tools you’ve used!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've translated complex financial data into actionable insights in previous roles.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires strong financial analysis capabilities, make sure to include examples that demonstrate your ability to interpret and forecast budget performance. We want to see how you can drive smarter decisions!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Novartis
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Global Clinical Operations Budget Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed budgets in previous roles. Prepare specific examples of how you translated complex study assumptions into actionable financial insights.
✨Understand the Clinical Landscape
Familiarise yourself with clinical trial processes and the pharmaceutical industry. Be prepared to explain how your experience aligns with the role's requirements. Showing that you understand the intersection of clinical operations and finance will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to convey complex financial concepts to both clinical teams and finance partners. Practice explaining your past experiences in simple terms. This will showcase your ability to bridge the gap between finance and clinical operations effectively.
✨Show Your Curiosity
The job description mentions a desire for curiosity and openness to new tools. Be ready to discuss any new technologies or methodologies you've adopted in your work. Highlighting your willingness to learn and adapt will resonate well with the interviewers.
