Contractor - Strategic Outsourcing Lead
Syndax Pharmaceuticals
August 21, 2026
Remote friendly (New York, NY)
United States
Operations
The Strategic Outsourcing Lead will report to the Vice President of Strategic Outsourcing and work closely with Clinical Operations, CMC, Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, and Legal stakeholders to support outsourcing strategy, vendor management, contracts, and financial oversight across the development pipeline.
Key Responsibilities:
- Execute strategic outsourcing strategies supporting Clinical and CMC development programs.
- Lead RFI/RFP activities, including vendor analysis and recommendations.
- Negotiate and manage Work Orders and Change Orders in alignment with approved budgets and processes.
- Oversee day-to-day outsourcing, contract, and procurement activities across multiple vendors.
- Monitor vendor spend and identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities.
- Partner cross-functionally with Clinical Operations, CMC, Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, and Legal.
- Ensure compliance with vendor governance processes and required documentation.
- Manage vendor closeout, including financial reconciliation and contract closure.
- Track and report outsourcing KPIs, metrics, and vendor performance.
- Support continuous improvement of outsourcing processes, tools, and best practices across R&D.
Desired Experience/Education and Personal Attributes:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 6+ years in strategic outsourcing, clinical outsourcing, or vendor management (biotech/pharma).
- Experience supporting Phase I–III clinical development and/or CMC programs.
- Advanced analytical/financial/budget management skills, including advanced Excel.
- Experience managing CRO, CMO/CDMO, central laboratory, biomarker, IWRS, and clinical pharmacology vendors.
- Knowledge of clinical development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Detail-oriented; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Understanding of outsourcing lifecycle best practices (selection through closeout).
- Collaborative, proactive, solutions-oriented; experience in cross-functional/matrixed organizations.
Location:
- Open to candidates from any location, with preference for east coast locations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Execute strategic outsourcing strategies supporting Clinical and CMC development programs.
- Lead RFI/RFP activities, including vendor analysis and recommendations.
- Negotiate and manage Work Orders and Change Orders in alignment with approved budgets and processes.
- Oversee day-to-day outsourcing, contract, and procurement activities across multiple vendors.
- Monitor vendor spend and identify cost savings and efficiency opportunities.
- Partner cross-functionally with Clinical Operations, CMC, Supply Chain, Finance, Procurement, and Legal.
- Ensure compliance with vendor governance processes and required documentation.
- Manage vendor closeout, including financial reconciliation and contract closure.
- Track and report outsourcing KPIs, metrics, and vendor performance.
- Support continuous improvement of outsourcing processes, tools, and best practices across R&D.
Desired Experience/Education and Personal Attributes:
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
- 6+ years in strategic outsourcing, clinical outsourcing, or vendor management (biotech/pharma).
- Experience supporting Phase I–III clinical development and/or CMC programs.
- Advanced analytical/financial/budget management skills, including advanced Excel.
- Experience managing CRO, CMO/CDMO, central laboratory, biomarker, IWRS, and clinical pharmacology vendors.
- Knowledge of clinical development, manufacturing, and supply chain operations.
- Strong negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Detail-oriented; able to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Understanding of outsourcing lifecycle best practices (selection through closeout).
- Collaborative, proactive, solutions-oriented; experience in cross-functional/matrixed organizations.
Location:
- Open to candidates from any location, with preference for east coast locations.