Manager, Finance

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Manager, Finance - Investigator Forecasting

We are currently seeking a Manager to lead the IBT Investigator Forecasting team in Chennai. This role is responsible for driving forecasting accuracy, delivering actionable financial insights and partnering with Operations to ensure alignment between financial projections and study execution. The role plays a critical part in enabling financial discipline, sustainability, and strategic decision-making.

Job Description

People Leadership

• Lead Investigator Forecasting team (10+ members) with focus on high-quality delivery and center of excellence.
• Set clear objectives aligned to business priorities and ensure timely delivery against goals.
• Deliver accurate and timely investigators grant forecasts with a strong focus on quality and reliability.
• Provide regular feedback through 1:1s and performance reviews to support development.
• Foster a proactive, ownership-driven culture enabling effective delegation.
• Identify and develop high-potential team members for future leadership roles.
• Monitor workload and ensure adequate resourcing and team engagement.
• Drive team retention and minimize attrition through engagement and support initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with organizational policies including flexible working guidelines.

Forecasting & Financial Ownership

• Own end-to-end Investigator Grants forecasting, including assumptions, model integrity, and variance analysis.
• Partner with Operations for insights to align forecasts with study assumptions and manage forecast adjustments.
• Analyze financial and operational metrics to identify risks, opportunities, and drivers of variance.
• Deliver accurate quarterly forecasts to stakeholders and sponsors.
• Build strong working relationships with Project Management and cross-functional teams.
• Support decision-making through scenario analysis and forecasting insights.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline forecasting processes and enhance efficiency.
• Deliver Prepayment reports on the last two Mondays of each month, identifying negative PT studies and partnering with Operations/MOFs/DOFs to drive forecast updates and advance billing.
• Provide monthly billing opportunity insights to DOFs, enabling billing based on investigator grant forecasts delivered.

Stakeholder Engagement & Financial Reporting Excellence

• Deliver clear, consistent, and actionable Investigator Grants forecasts to Operations, leadership and sponsors.

• Implement streamlined reporting mechanisms to improve accessibility and transparency.
• Prepare monthly business reporting packages with key financial insights and performance indicators.
• Closely partner with the leadership team on sponsor-escalated studies, providing detailed financial analysis, context, and resolution support.
• Support senior leadership with ad-hoc analysis and presentations.
• Ensure strong stakeholder communication and alignment across functions.

Process Improvement & Innovation

• Explore and implement innovative forecasting techniques and tools.
• Leverage automation and analytics to enhance forecasting accuracy and efficiency.
• Standardize forecasting methodologies across studies and regions.
• Ensure sustainability and scalability of forecasting processes.

Experience, Skills & Knowledge Requirement

• Minimum 10 years of experience in finance, forecasting, or financial planning roles.
• Minimum 4+ years of experience in people management with proven leadership capability.
• Professional qualification: CA / CMA / CPA
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex financial data.
• Experience in financial forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis.
• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage competing priorities.
• Proven track record in driving process improvements and operational efficiency.

What ICON can offer you:

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At ICON, inclusion & belonging are fundamental to our culture and values. We're dedicated to providing an inclusive and accessible environment for all candidates. ICON is committed to providing a workplace free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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