Global Vendor Scoping Lead - Budgeting & Outsourcing

IQVIA Inc; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IQVIA is seeking a Vendor Scoping Lead to drive end-to-end vendor scoping, budgeting, and outsourcing strategy across global clinical development programs. You will partner with Clinical Operations, COLs, Study Teams, Procurement, Finance, and external providers to forecast study costs and negotiate terms.

The role requires strong expertise in clinical budgeting, financial modelling, vendor negotiations, and governance across global programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or clinical research environments.
• At least 4 years of direct experience in clinical operations, vendor management, outsourcing, procurement, strategic sourcing, financial planning, or study budgeting.
• Experience negotiating budgets and commercial terms with CROs, central laboratories, clinical technology vendors, and other clinical service providers.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial outsourcing models, governance structures, and drug development processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end vendor scoping, budgeting, and outsourcing activities for global and regional clinical development programs.
• Partner with study teams and key stakeholders to identify outsourcing requirements and develop fit-for-purpose vendor engagement strategies.
• Develop, review, and optimize study budgets, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with program objectives.
• Prepare cost scenarios, budget comparisons, and financial analyses to support governance discussions and decision-making.
• Lead vendor budget negotiations and commercial discussions to achieve optimal value while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
• Coordinate and support the preparation of Requests for Proposal (RFPs), bid evaluations, and vendor selection activities.
• Evaluate vendor proposals, challenge assumptions, benchmark costs, and identify opportunities for budget optimization.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Contract Services teams to ensure seamless transition from approved scope and budget to executed agreements.
• Support study teams through governance review processes by preparing clear scoping documentation, financial analyses, and recommendation packages.
• Monitor alignment between approved study scope, vendor proposals, and contractual commitments.
• Contribute to the evaluation and management of preferred vendor relationships and strategic outsourcing partnerships.
• Maintain awareness of market trends, vendor capabilities, outsourcing models, and industry benchmarking data.
• Ensure appropriate balance between cost, timelines, quality, and operational feasibility throughout the vendor scoping process.
• Act as a key point of contact between internal stakeholders and external service providers during planning and start-up phases.

Skills

Budgeting

Financial modelling

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

Excel skills

Strong negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain, or related discipline

Tools

Excel

MS Office

Job description

IQVIA is seeking a Vendor Scoping Lead to drive end-to-end vendor scoping, budgeting, and outsourcing strategy across global clinical development programs. You will partner with Clinical Operations, COLs, Study Teams, Procurement, Finance, and external providers to forecast study costs and negotiate terms.

The role requires strong expertise in clinical budgeting, financial modelling, vendor negotiations, and governance across global programs.