Associate Director, Contract Optimization and Strategy Team (COST)

Responsibilities

• Lead through development of tools and methods in driving business needs through delivery of quality vendor contracts, budgets, and proposals.
• Accountable for development and cultivation of excellent internal cross-departmental and external service provider relationships that enable advancement of clinical development programs.
• Oversee and drive the negotiation of initial scopes of work and related changes, including budgets, and payment schedules, with input from cross-functional stakeholders, for service providers.
• Oversee budget reconciliation.
• Negotiate change orders and ensure service providers adhere to contract terms.
• Generate RFIs, RFPs and budget grids/trackers for clinical trials and assist Clinical Development Management with the service provider selection process including bid comparison analysis.
• Cook up bid defenses and proposal review meetings.
• Partner with Clinical Quality Assurance (CQA), Information Sciences (IS) and relevant functions to ensure all selected vendors are qualified and IS Security Assessments conducted, according to SOPs and business processes.
• Manage contract lifecycle in collaboration with legal department.
• Help organize and participate in vendor governance meetings and reviews.
• Maintain market intel (rates, KPIs) and recommend sourcing approaches.
• Collaborate internally and with vendors to develop and report service provider performance via Key Indicators, including Performance, Risk, Quality and Financial (KPIs).
• Partner with departments to create standardized KxIs per vendor type.
• Partner with departments to create clinical trial budgeting models and scenarios.
• In partnership with management, contribute to the audits of contract and sourcing records to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Contribute to the development, improvement and implementation of processes and tools related to outsourcing and governance activities.
• With the support of RevMed’s legal counsel, manage the contract negotiation process.
• Manage general and departmental ad hoc projects as required.
• Manage and oversee direct reports.

Qualifications

• BA/BS in related discipline with at least 11 years of related experience required (a combination of relevant education and applicable job experience may be considered).
• At least 5 years in a management role overseeing individuals in a high performing team environment.
• Minimum of (6) years of direct clinical business operations experience/outsourcing and vendor governance in a CRO, Biotech or Pharmaceutical organization.
• Solid understanding of drug development and development operations, with experience working with Clinical and/or Toxicology laboratory vendors highly desired.
• Ability to prepare/negotiate and track external provider master service agreements, work/change orders, etc.
• Must demonstrate an understanding of vendor budgets and payment terms.
• Experience in RFI/RFP development, proposal evaluation, and contract and budget management.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills and strong attention to detail, with proven ability to handle multiple tasks efficiently and effectively.
• Excellent computer skills including advanced knowledge in MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook.
• Must be a self-starter who drives cross-department relationships, has backbone and helps the organization hold external service providers accountable to contracted work.
• Works effectively in a matrix cross-functional environment.
• Good business judgment and a strong understanding of the unique aspects of clinical financials.
• Excellent communication skills, (verbal and written), and critical thinking skills, including the ability to understand and present budget information effectively.
• High sense of accountability/urgency.