Specialist, R&D Contracts & Business Operations

About the role

The Specialist, R&D Contracts & Business Operations will manage end-to-end business operations tasks for R&D contracts, including required internal approvals, new vendor setup, contract execution, PO creation, and invoice resolution. They will also draft and prepare various contract templates in compliance with internal guidelines, collaborate with R&D stakeholders to ensure tracking and fulfillment of contractual obligations, serve as a liaison with Procurement and Compliance, create and manage POs, maintain contract records, support intake and data maintenance, and foster effective communication with internal and external partners.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end business operations tasks for R&D contracts including required internal approvals, new vendor setup, contract execution, PO creation, and invoice resolution.
• Draft and prepare a variety of contract templates (e.g., CDA, Service, Sponsorship, and HCP Agreements) in compliance with internal guidelines.
• Collaborate with R&D stakeholders to ensure tracking and fulfillment of contractual obligations and responsibilities as outlined in executed agreements.
• Serve as a liaison with Procurement and Compliance to ensure all necessary approvals are in place prior to contract execution.
• Create, manage, and monitor POs for assigned functional areas, ensuring alignment with CSL processes and timely vendor payments.
• Maintain contract records in the central portal and conduct periodic audits to ensure accuracy and completeness.
• Support intake and data maintenance to enable reliable tracking and reporting of key operational metrics.
• Foster effective communication with internal and external partners to ensure transparency, compliance, and timely decision-making.
• Promote operational excellence by building collaborative relationships across global R&D and enabling functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in contract administration or business operations, preferably within the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
• Understanding of contract templates, key contract terms and conditions, and contract lifecycle management (CLM) tools.
• Working knowledge of basic compliance principles and financial systems.
• Proficiency with enterprise software platforms (e.g., Ariba, SAP, or equivalent).
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities.