Clinical Trials Budget Specialist III - Office of Research

Milwaukee, WI
Full-time
Posted Nov 12, 2026

Skills

Communication
Microsoft Excel
Operations
Project Management

Job description

Summary

The Clinical Trials Budget Specialist III is responsible for developing clinical trial budgets of the highest complexity with an emphasis on quality, training, monitoring, and the development of tools for study team use. The Clinical Trials Budget Specialist III will regularly work independently with study teams to develop and execute budgets and will support the goals of the Clinical Research Operations Quality Program.

Primary Responsibilities

•Oversee clinical trial budget development, including review of protocols and relevant documents to ensure that appropriate costs and allocation of institutional resources are fully captured in the budget.

•Lead study teams in coordination with departments, investigators, research staff, supporting administration, and sponsors/funding agencies to ensure complete, comprehensive, accurate and timely budgets.

•Lead correspondence and meetings with stakeholders to facilitate ongoing budget discussions. This will include documenting progress and providing updates to affected parties.

•Ensure research rate schedules are current and appropriately applied to study budgets.

•Facilitate budget negotiations with sponsors, academic sites, and other extramural funding sources to reach an agreement on budget and payment terms.

•Responsible for entering and maintaining the budget and other financial information into OnCore Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) to maintain proper reimbursement and revenue integrity.

•Perform pre-award quality assurance to verify completion of required elements prior to Medicare Coverage Analysis.

•Lead the development and dissemination of clinical research education opportunities as needed in accordance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and specific protocol requirements.

•Lead the development of departmental policies, procedures, and resources to support clinical trial financials workflows.

•Provide excellent customer service while maintaining accurate results in a fast-paced, deadline-driven team environment.

•Engage in special projects and ad hoc duties as a member of the administrative team.

•Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge – Skills – Abilities

•Extensive knowledge of clinical trials, including budget development and financial management required.

•Budget negotiation experience is required.

•Knowledge of research billing compliance, coverage analysis, institutional and departmental policies and procedures required.

•Data utilization, complex problem solving, critical thinking, resource management, and project management skills are necessary.

•Experience with OnCore CTMS and Microsoft Excel are required.

•Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.

Qualifications

Appropriate experience may be substituted for education on an equivalent basis.

Minimum Required Education: Bachelor’s degree

Minimum Required Experience: 6 years

Physical Requirements

Work requires occasionally lifting moderate weight materials, standing, or walking continuously.

Work Environment

Occasional exposure to dust, noise, temperature changes, or contact with water or other liquids. Work is performed in an environmentally controlled environment.

Sensory Acuity

Ability to detect and translate speech or other communication required. May occasionally require the ability to distinguish colors and perceive relative distances between objects.

#LI-AV1

Why MCW?

•Outstanding Healthcare Coverage, including but not limited to Health, Vision, and Dental. Along with Flexible Spending options

•403B Retirement Package

•Competitive Vacation and Paid Holidays offered

•Tuition Reimbursement

•Paid Parental Leave

•Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP)

•Pet Insurance

•On campus Fitness Facility, offering onsite classes

•Additional discounted rates on items such as: Select cell phone plans, local fitness facilities, Milwaukee recreation and entertainment etc.

For a brief overview of our benefits see: Benefits Overview

For a full list of positions see: MCW Careers

At MCW all of our endeavors, from our internal operations to our interactions with our partners, are driven by our shared organizational values: Caring – Collaborative – Curiosity – Inclusive – Integrity – Respect. We are committed to fostering an inclusive environment that values diversity in backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives through merit-based processes and in alignment with all applicable laws. We believe that embracing human differences is critical to realize our vision of a healthier world, and we recognize that a healthy and thriving community starts from within. Our values define who we are, what we stand for and how we conduct ourselves at MCW. If you believe in embracing individuality and working together according to these principles to improve health for all, then MCW is the place for you. For more information, please visit our institutional website .

MCW as an Equal Opportunity Employer and Commitment to Non-Discrimination:

The Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering an inclusive community of outstanding faculty, staff, and students, as well as ensuring equal educational opportunity, employment, and access to services, programs, and activities, without regard to an individual's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, predisposing genetic characteristic, or military status. Employees, students, applicants or other members of the MCW community (including but not limited to vendors, visitors, and guests) may not be subjected to harassment that is prohibited by law or treated adversely or retaliated against based upon a protected characteristic.