Clinical Trial Manager - Contractor

Responsibilities
Clinical Outsourcing:
- Independently manage outsourcing activities for Phase I–III clinical trials and Clinical Development functional area projects across the full contract life cycle (vendor capability assessments, RFP/RFI, selection, contract & budget negotiation).
- Negotiate vendor Master Service Agreements, commercial terms, and amendments.
- Manage/negotiates global clinical development agreements (work orders, change orders, confidentiality, HCP agreements, subcontractor agreements, amendments) supporting multiple functions.
- Guide project teams through sourcing and advise on sourcing approaches/best practices.
- Partner with study teams to manage supplier bidding/proposal development (RFP creation, bid analysis), facilitate bid defense meetings, and follow up.
- Lead contract-related communications with vendors; address budget revisions/contract status; resolve conflicts and escalate issues.
- Partner with finance and study teams on financial queries.
- Create/modify contract provisions and templates with Legal and impacted functional areas.
- Identify/managing contract risks and ensure mitigation plans and communications.
- Analyze/solve complex contract or finance issues; ensure compliance with risk assessment and liability requirements.
- Resolve complex contract and budget issues with relevant departments.
- Master outsourcing systems, enter data timely, and act as system SME; support audits/audit readiness.
- Manage purchase order process for Clinical Development stakeholders.
- Provide supervision, mentoring, and coaching to direct reports.

Vendor Governance:
- Ensure vendor governance standards/processes/tools (e.g., KPIs, governance charters) are current and meet required oversight procedures.
- Provide/lead vendor governance framework, activities, and initiatives (including process documents/tools).
- Drive governance meetings (scheduling, attendees, roles/responsibilities, meaningful content) and manage preparation/follow-up with centralized repository tracking.
- Identify/document/mitigate vendor relationship-level risks; address performance escalations with solutions.
- Seek technology/process innovations to improve vendor engagement.
- Communicate vendor developments to stakeholders.

Process Improvement:
- Partner to develop optimized sourcing strategy/model and strengthen relationships with qualified vendors.
- Lead OVG initiatives (process refinement, financial analyses, KPIs, spend consolidation, productivity, cycle time reduction, audit readiness).
- Prepare presentations and train resources/providers on core business requirements.

Qualifications
- BA/BS required; MBA preferred.
- 10+ years related business/industry experience.
- Experience in clinical outsourcing (pharma, biotech, academia, or CRO).
- Experience with vendor selection (RFI/RFP), contracting, and budget negotiation.
- Direct/indirect experience managing vendor governance meetings/processes.
- Experience managing direct reports preferred.

Skills/Abilities
- Initiative-taker; work independently and with cross-functional teams (virtual or in person).
- Strong organizational/time management; detail-focused; ability to handle time-sensitive matters with accuracy/confidentiality.
- Critical thinking; analyze/synthesize information; support sound decisions.
- Advanced MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook; strong verbal/written communication.
- Professionalism, sound business judgment, proactive work style.
- Technical aptitude; independent judgment.
- Ability to travel (including overnight stays).