Job Description

Salary Range:

€33,500.00 - €62,100.00Job Title: SSO Finance Specialist

#LI-Hybrid

Location: Milan, Italy

Relocation Support: This role is based in Milan, Italy. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

Drive the financial heartbeat of clinical trial start-up. As an SSO Finance Specialist, you will play a critical role in ensuring studies launch smoothly by managing budgets, payments, and financial oversight with precision and impact. Working closely with cross-functional teams, you’ll help translate strategy into action—enabling seamless execution while ensuring full compliance with global standards. This is an opportunity to contribute to life-changing clinical research while developing expertise at the intersection of finance and operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Support country study start-up strategy and timelines in collaboration with SSO leadership
• Lead investigator payment execution, partnering with study start-up, clinical, and contracting teams
• Manage budget planning, forecasting, and cost tracking across assigned clinical projects
• Ensure accurate setup and validation of investigator contracts within clinical financial systems
• Execute internal controls and maintain compliance with financial, regulatory, and quality standards
• Translate grant plans into localized payment structures aligned with study requirements
• Collaborate with Trial Grants Experts to ensure alignment and continuous process improvement
• Prepare and submit Trial Cost Forms and maintain accurate system updates across platforms
• Resolve site payment inquiries and proactively monitor and communicate payment status
• Drive process innovation and efficiency while engaging externally with investigators and site offices

Essential Requirements

• Degree in Economics or a Scientific discipline with relevant clinical or financial experience
• Minimum one year experience in clinical operations, project management, or accounting environments
• Strong understanding of clinical drug development, including study start-up and contracting processes
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, health authority requirements, and local regulatory frameworks
• Solid financial acumen with experience in budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
• Proven ability to resolve complex issues and navigate cross-functional challenges
• Structured, proactive, and independent working style with strong attention to detail
• Fluent in English with effective communication skills across global matrix organizations

Skills Desired

Clinical Trials, Conflict Management, Contract Management, Effective Communication, Financial Analysis, Negotiation Skills