Research Budget Specialist - Cardiology

Clinical Research Budgets Specialist 

The Clinical Research Budgets Specialist is a critical operational partner to the sites within Iterative Health's growing domestic and international network — owning the development, review, and negotiation of clinical trial budgets and contract payment terms on their behalf. This role sits at the intersection of site operations, finance, and sponsor relationships, requiring someone who can interpret complex study protocols, navigate country-specific financial considerations, and drive budget discussions to resolution across multiple geographies simultaneously. The ideal candidate is a proactive, self-directed problem-solver who thrives in ambiguity, builds structure where little exists, and brings strong ownership to every budget they touch 

Where You’ll Drive Impact 

• Develop, review, and negotiate site-level clinical trial budgets and payment terms with sponsors and CROs for U.S. and international research sites.
• Interpret study protocols, schedules of assessments, and evolving study requirements to ensure accurate and defensible site budgets.
• Ensure budgets appropriately capture all site costs, including per-patient procedures, startup activities, administrative fees, and pass-through expenses.
• Review and manage budget and payment amendments as studies evolve.
• Account for country-specific considerations such as currency, tax/VAT, payment cadence, and local site practices.

• Serve as a primary point of contact for sponsor and CRO budget discussions.
• Support alignment between Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs) and negotiated budget and payment terms.
• Maintain clear documentation and audit-ready records throughout the budget lifecycle.

• Identify gaps, inconsistencies, or missing cost considerations and proactively propose solutions.
• Collaborate with site leadership, research coordinators, regulatory teams, and finance partners to navigate competing priorities while supporting timely study start-up.
• Build structure and scalable processes in a fast-paced, evolving environment with shifting priorities and frequent ambiguity.

• Performs related duties 

What You Bring to the Team

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• 2+ years of site-side clinical research budgeting or trial finance experience.
• Strong understanding of site-level clinical trial operations.
• Ability to make informed, sound judgment calls in ambiguous situations with limited precedent.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills across internal and external partners.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across regions simultaneously.
• Self-starter with strong ownership, accountability, and the ability to build or expand on limited structure.
• Adaptable and resourceful, with a bias toward action and resolution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting international clinical research sites.
• Familiarity with VAT, currency exchange, and regional payment norms.
• Experience using CTMS platforms, particularly RealTime.
• Familiarity with Medicare Coverage Analysis (MCA) or billing compliance.
• Experience building processes or tools from scratch in a startup or high-growth environment.

 

How We Work 

• Collaborative and low-ego team environment
• High ownership and accountability culture
• Fast-paced and highly iterative growth environment
• Open communication and continuous learning mindset
• Mission-driven organization focused on improving patient outcomes
• Comfortable navigating evolving business priorities and opportunities

 

Benefits That Support You 

We believe great teams do their best work when they feel supported — professionally and personally.

• Hybrid work environment with in-office collaboration two days per week in either our NYC, Cambridge or Southlake office
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, with up to 80% of premiums covered by Iterative Health
• Mental health and wellness support through Spring Health
• Health HSA or FSA options, and commuter FSA contributions supported by Iterative Health
• Unlimited PTO, 12 company holidays, and a company-wide shutdown between Christmas and New Years
• 401(k) program with a company match of up to 3% (up to $3,000 annually)
• Weekly in-office lunch benefit every Tuesday
• 100% company-paid short-term and long-term disability coverage
• Annual wellness and professional development stipend to support your health and growth
• And more!