Executive Director, Global Site Payment Strategy & Services

About the role

Parexel is seeking an Executive Director, Global Site Payment Strategy & Services to lead a global organization responsible for delivering investigator payment services across multiple regions, therapeutic areas, and client portfolios. This role oversees a critical function that directly impacts site satisfaction, operational efficiency, and study execution, ensuring sites are paid accurately, transparently, and on time.

This highly visible leadership opportunity is ideal for an experienced executive passionate about operational excellence, organizational transformation, and innovation. You will shape the future of Site Payment Services through process improvement, automation, technology enablement, and AI-driven solutions while leading a global team through its next phase of growth and evolution.

Reporting to senior leadership within Parexel's Site Activation Center of Excellence, you will partner across Operations, Finance, Technology, Project Leadership, and Commercial teams to create a more connected and scalable investigator financial ecosystem.

Why This Role Matters

• Lead a global function with enterprise-wide impact
• Influence strategy and decision making across multiple business areas
• Drive digital transformation through automation, analytics, and AI
• Improve the experience of clinical research sites around the world
• Build and develop high-performing global teams
• Position Site Payment Services as a strategic differentiator for Parexel

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Define and execute the long-term vision and strategy for Site Payment Services
• Evaluate and evolve operating models, organizational structures, and service delivery approaches
• Partner with executive leadership to identify opportunities that enhance operational performance and client value
• Serve as a key leader within the Site Activation Center of Excellence
• Anticipate industry trends and evolving site needs to inform future service strategy

Operational Excellence

• Lead a global Site Payment Services organization responsible for investigator payment operations, budget setup, reconciliation, reporting, and site-facing support
• Establish performance metrics and accountability measures to drive operational excellence
• Ensure timely, accurate, compliant, and efficient delivery of site payment services
• Identify opportunities to simplify processes and improve scalability across the organization

Transformation and Innovation

• Lead the modernization of Site Payment Services through automation, digital solutions, analytics, and AI-enabled capabilities
• Drive continuous improvement efforts that improve efficiency, quality, and stakeholder experience
• Champion innovation and foster a culture that embraces change and new ways of working
• Partner closely with Technology teams to modernize systems, processes, and data capabilities

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with Finance, Project Leadership, Commercial, Contracts, Site Activation, and Technology teams to optimize the investigator financial lifecycle
• Build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Influence decision making through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations
• Serve as an executive escalation point for complex operational and stakeholder challenges

Talent Development

• Lead, coach, and develop a diverse global leadership team
• Foster a culture of accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and continuous learning
• Guide teams through organizational growth and transformation initiatives

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or healthcare services industry
• Significant experience leading global operational teams and complex business functions
• Deep understanding of investigator financial operations and the broader clinical trial ecosystem
• Demonstrated experience driving large-scale transformation, process improvement, or organizational change initiatives
• Strong executive presence with proven stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience managing cross-functional initiatives that span multiple geographic regions and business functions
• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with investigator payment technologies, financial systems, or site-facing operational platforms
• Track record of implementing automation, digital transformation, analytics, or AI-enabled solutions
• Advanced degree in business, healthcare, finance, or related field
• Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement experience

Benefits

• Meaningful work that contributes to better patient outcomes
• Opportunities to lead high-impact global initiatives
• A culture that values collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning
• Flexible work arrangements that support work-life balance
• Access to professional growth and career development opportunities
• The ability to help shape the future of clinical trial operations

At Parexel, we take our work personally. We act with empathy, lead with purpose, and strive to make a difference every day.