Clinical Strategy and Proposal Development Specialist

The Engaged Space; City of Melbourne; On-site; AUD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Doherty Clinical Trials (DCT) is seeking a Clinical Strategy and Proposal Development Specialist to join our team in a full-time capacity in Melbourne, Australia. The role combines clinical trial operations with commercial strategy to drive opportunities from feasibility through to study start-up.

You will review protocols, develop practical delivery strategies, lead proposal development and coordinate cross-functional input while supporting budgets and negotiations with Sponsors and CROs.

Qualifications

• The role requires understanding how clinical trials operate and translating requirements into practical operational and commercial plans.
• Experience with clinical trial proposals, budgets and/or contract negotiations is essential.
• GCP training and accreditation is highly desirable.
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in clinical research, ideally in trial delivery, operations, feasibility or proposals.

Responsibilities

• Review protocols and study information to assess feasibility and operational requirements.
• Develop practical strategies for study delivery including timelines, recruitment, staffing, scheduling, and operational needs.
• Lead the preparation of clinical trial proposals, feasibility responses and capability submissions.
• Coordinate input across teams to develop clear and actionable proposals.
• Prepare study budgets, validate costing assumptions and identify risks.
• Support budget and contract negotiations with Sponsors and CROs with Finance and senior leadership.
• Participate in Sponsor and CRO feasibility discussions, site selection, and bid defence meetings.
• Build strong relationships with Sponsors, CROs and research partners and transition opportunities into start-up.

Skills

Commercial thinking

Analytical skills

Problem-solving

Written & verbal communication

Sponsor engagement

Stakeholder management

Operational clinical trial knowledge

Budgeting & negotiations

Education

Bachelor degree in science/health/medical/nursing or related

Job description

Clinical Strategy and Proposal Development Specialist

The team at Doherty Clinical Trials (DCT) is driven to expand the horizons of early phase clinical trials, human challenge trials and medical research through the delivery of high quality and safe clinical trials.

DCT fosters collaboration with sponsors, CROs and research partners to enable innovative medical research that will translate into new vaccines and therapies, particularly for infectious diseases.

The Opportunity

DCT is seeking an experienced Clinical Strategy and Proposal Development Specialist to join its team on a full-time basis.

This is a strategic and commercially focused role responsible for supporting new clinical trial opportunities from initial feasibility and sponsor engagement through to proposal development, contracting and study start-up.

The role will suit an experienced clinical research professional who can combine strong clinical trial operational knowledge with commercial thinking, problem solving and stakeholder engagement.

The Role

Reporting to the Clinical Strategy Director, you will work closely with Operations, Medical, Pharmacy, Laboratory, Quality, Finance and senior leadership to develop practical and commercially sound strategies for the delivery of early phase clinical trials.

You will review protocols and other study information, assess feasibility and operational requirements, develop proposals and budgets and contribute to Sponsor and CRO discussions and commercial negotiations.

Importantly, you will be expected to look beyond the information provided to identify practical, efficient and innovative approaches to successful study delivery.

Your responsibilities will include:

Reviewing protocols, synopses and other study information to assess feasibility, operational complexity and resource requirements.

Developing practical strategies for study delivery, including timelines, recruitment, staffing, scheduling and operational requirements.

Leading the preparation of clinical trial proposals, feasibility responses and capability submissions.

Coordinating input across teams to develop clear and operationally achievable proposals.

Preparing study budgets, validating costing assumptions and identifying operational and commercial risks.

Supporting budget and contract negotiations with Sponsors and CROs in conjunction with Finance and senior leadership.

Participating in Sponsor and CRO feasibility discussions, presentations, site selection activities and bid defence meetings.

Building strong relationships with Sponsors, CROs and research partners and supporting the transition of successful opportunities into study start-up.

About You

You will be an experienced clinical research professional who understands how clinical trials operate in practice and can translate complex study requirements into effective operational and commercial strategies.

You will also bring:

3 to 5 years’ experience in clinical research, ideally within clinical trial delivery, clinical operations, study start-up, feasibility, proposals or a related role.

Strong understanding of clinical trial operations, preferably within early phase or Phase I research.

The ability to interpret protocols and other clinical development information and translate requirements into practical operational plans.

Experience with clinical trial proposals, budgets and/or contract negotiations.

Strong commercial, analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Confidence engaging with Sponsors, CROs and multidisciplinary internal stakeholders.

Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage multiple opportunities and competing priorities.

A Bachelor’s degree in a science, health, medical, nursing or related discipline.

GCP training and accreditation is highly desirable.

If you are an experienced clinical research professional looking to combine your operational knowledge with clinical strategy, commercial thinking and sponsor engagement, we would love to hear from you.

Shortlisting will commence as applications are received, so we encourage you to apply without delay. Applications close 5.00pm Friday 16 October 2026.