Finance Lead, Global R&D Study Forecasting
Posted Oct 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Tell me about a time you caught a forecast error before it reached management.
What they are checking: Whether they check their own work and own accuracy, since forecast errors reaching management damage trust in the whole finance team.
Tell me about a time you pulled data from several sources that didn't agree. How did you reconcile them?
What they are checking: Whether they reconcile conflicting data with a clear method and judgment about which source to trust, since study costs come from many systems.
What would you do
An Oncology study is spending well ahead of forecast at 50% enrollment. Walk me through how you'd investigate.
What they are checking: Breaking a variance into drivers like site activation, enrollment pace and vendor costs.
A clinical lead tells you the study is fine and the forecast is wrong, but the actuals say otherwise. How do you handle that?
What they are checking: Whether they can hold a position based on data while staying a partner, because forecasts lose value when finance simply defers to clinical teams.
How would you explain a study budget variance to someone in clinical who doesn't think in accruals?
What they are checking: Whether they can explain variances in plain clinical terms, because partners act on finance information only when they understand it.
You get three ad hoc requests in the same week as the monthly LBE. How do you decide what goes first?
What they are checking: Whether they prioritize by deadline and impact and reset expectations openly, rather than letting the monthly forecast slip quietly.
About the work
What are the main cost drivers in a clinical trial budget, and which ones move the most?
What they are checking: Real understanding of trial economics, from per-patient costs to CRO fees and pass-throughs.
How do the Plan, LBE and LRP cycles differ in what you'd focus on for a study forecast?
What they are checking: Knowing the purpose and time horizon of each forecast cycle.
How would you build scenarios for a study where enrollment could run fast or slow?
What they are checking: Whether they tie scenarios to real operational drivers like enrollment and site activation, so leaders can plan around a believable range.
What do you check before approving contract funding for a new study?
What they are checking: Whether they check commitments, budget availability and contract terms before funding, because those controls prevent overspending on studies.
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