Senior Clinical Study Budget & Contract Negotiation Specialist - CIM (Research Institute)

Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre; Montreal; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A renowned research institute in Montreal seeks a skilled professional to lead the development and negotiation of high-value study budgets. This role focuses on ensuring comprehensive budget accuracy and serves as the primary financial liaison with sponsors. Candidates must possess advanced knowledge of FMV principles and at least 5 years of experience in clinical trial budget development and negotiation. Bilingual capabilities in English and French are preferred.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in clinical trial budget development and sponsor/CRO negotiation.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and negotiation of study budgets.
• Perform coverage analyses for sponsor-billable procedures.
• Serve as lead negotiator with sponsors for complex studies.

Skills

Advanced knowledge of FMV principles

Working knowledge of standard medical coding systems

Proven negotiation outcomes

Strong communication and diplomacy skills

Bilingual (English / French)

Education

Bachelor's or Master's Degree

Field of Study: Finance, Business, Health Administration

Job description

Do you want to work for a world-renowned research institute that pushes the boundaries of biomedical science and health research? Right here in Montreal! At the Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC), you can be part of an organization focused on scientific discovery and innovation in patient-centered medicine. Join us today and make a difference!

Job Description

RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE MUHC

The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre (RI-MUHC) is a world-renowned biomedical and hospital research centre. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the Institute is the research arm of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University. The RI-MUHC is supported in part by the Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé (FRQS).

Position Summary

The incumbent will lead the development and negotiation of complex, high-value study budgets. They ensure that budgets comprehensively capture all costs, adhere to Fair Market Value (FMV) benchmarks, and include precise coverage analyses distinguishing sponsor-billable procedures from standard-of-care services. This role involves significant negotiation responsibilities and serves as the primary financial liaison to sponsors during budget discussions.

General Duties

Reports to : CIM Director

Budget Development & Coverage Analysis (45%)

• Translate protocols into detailed, structured budgets aligned with FMV benchmarks,
• Perform coverage analyses to identify sponsor-billable versus standard-of-care procedures,
• Use standard medical coding systems (diagnosis and procedure codes) to classify and benchmark costs for research budgeting,
• Ensure budgets incorporate overhead, staffing, and institutional cost recovery requirements,
• Document coverage analysis decisions and FMV (fair market value) sources for audit readiness,
• Collaborates with various RI department as required (Study teams, Grant office etc.),
• Advice the contract office, as required, to ensure that legal clauses are included in the final contract agreement with sponsors,
• Ensure service level agreements are in place with the PI’s who uses the CIM (full or partial service),
• Support the budget review of the PI initiated clinical studies and work closely with the pre-award team.

Sponsor Negotiation (45%)

• Serve as lead negotiator with sponsors for complex / high-value studies, including Phase I & II & III studies (oncology & non-oncology),
• Defend institutional costs using FMV data, coverage analysis rationale, and historical benchmarks,
• Secure favorable payment schedules, upfronts, and minimize holdbacks,
• Track and report negotiation KPIs (cycle time, variance from sponsor offer, percentage of cost recovery).

Documentation, Compliance & Insights (10%)

• Maintain FMV and coverage analysis documentation library for audits and sponsor reviews,
• Analyze negotiation outcomes and update internal pricing models,
• Provide negotiation trend insights to Management and support continuous improvement.

Education / Experience

Education: Bachelor's or Master's Degree.

Field of Study: Finance, Business, Health Administration, or related field.

Work Experience: 5+ years in clinical trial budget development and sponsor / CRO negotiation.

Required Skills

• Advanced knowledge of FMV principles, coverage analysis, and clinical research operations.
• Working knowledge of standard medical coding systems (diagnosis and procedure codes) for benchmarking costs in research budgeting.
• Proven negotiation outcomes with measurable KPIs (cycle time, cost recovery margins).
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills, bilingual (English / French) preferred.