Head, European Country Operations (VP level)

Syneos Health, Inc.; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading biopharmaceutical solutions organization seeks a Head of European Country Operations to oversee key operational functions, manage P&L, and lead high-performing teams. The role requires strong financial acumen and operational discipline, ensuring effective resource planning and country-level delivery. Ideal candidates will demonstrate leadership in a dynamic environment, driving revenue growth and supporting project escalations.

Qualifications

• Extensive executive and/or senior management experience in clinical research.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional financial and business acumen.
• Experience working in a matrixed team environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee key operational functions and manage P&L.
• Lead high-performing teams and foster an inclusive culture.
• Act as a primary senior-level contact for customers.

Skills

Financial Acumen

Leadership

Organizational Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Adaptability

Education

BA/BS degree

MBA

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Head, European Country Operations (VP level)

Updated: March 11, 2025
Location: United Kingdom-Europe - GBR-Farnborough-1-Pinehurst
Job ID:25002046

Syneos Health is a leading fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities.

Every day we perform better because of how we work together, as one team, each the best at what we do. We bring a wide range of talented experts together across a wide range of business-critical services that support our business. Every role within Corporate is vital to furthering our vision of Shortening the Distance from Lab to Life.

Discover what our 29,000 employees, across 110 countries already know:
WORK HERE MATTERS EVERYWHERE

Why Syneos Health

• We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program.
• We are committed to our Total Self culture – where you can authentically be yourself. Our Total Self culture is what unites us globally, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people.
• We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work with. Why? Because when we bring together diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives – we’re able to create a place where everyone feels like they belong.

JOB SUMMARY

The Head, European Country Operations will oversee key operational functions, including Site ID, Site Activation, CRAs, Line Managers, and Country Heads, ensuring effective resource planning and country-level delivery. Acting as a General Manager for assigned functions, you will manage P&L, drive revenue growth, and support financial goals. This role involves leading high-performing teams, fostering an inclusive culture, and supporting project escalation and sales as needed. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong financial acumen, operational discipline, and cross-functional leadership while being solution-driven and adaptable.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

- Accountable for country delivery of each function; Site ID, Site Activation Specialist, CRAs, Line Managers, and Country Heads

- Allocation and planning of resources, including effective use of resources across roles

- Acting as General Manager for those functions – responsible for P&L and driving revenue in support of financial goals

- Supporting Project Escalation and Delivery as needed

- Supporting Sales activity as needed

- Provides overall strategy and direction of clinical trials, processes and procedures.

- Acts as a primary senior-level contact for customers.

- Participates in customer proposals, Request for Information (RFIs), presentations, proposal defenses and Steering Committees.

- Building and leading high-performing teams

- Represents the Company by attending industry meetings, speaking engagements, participating in booth exhibitions, etc., and by publishing scientific or industry related articles in industry journals.

- Participates in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), medical/scientific tools, training, staffing requirements, etc.

- Interacts with senior management and contributes functional/operational input to other departments, as appropriate.

- Ensures quality standards are set and maintained over all areas of responsibility.

- Other tasks and duties as determined appropriate by Executive Management.

- Performs other work-related duties as assigned. Moderate travel may be required (up to 50%).

Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

- BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; and extensive executive and/or senior management experience preferably in a worldwide clinical research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology company.

- MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.

- Ability to demonstrate exceptional financial and business acumen (Budgeting, Forecasting and Risk Planning)

- Strong internal presence, demonstrates gravitas in cross-functional collaboration settings

- Models discipline and rigor in operations – and manages with the same expectations of their team

- Curious, adaptable, and solution-driven

- Thought leader and sought after internally for consultation

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and voicemail.

- In-depth knowledge of Regulatory Authority regulations and strong understanding and usage of medical terminology.

- Ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.

- Effective organizational, presentation, documentation and interpersonal skills.

- Experience working in a matrixed team environment is preferred.

- Must have valid, current driver’s license and ability to secure corporate credit card.

Get to know Syneos Health
Over the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all Novel FDA Approved Drugs, 95% of EMA Authorized Products and over 200 Studies across 73,000 Sites and 675,000+ Trial patients.

No matter what your role is, you’ll take the initiative and challenge the status quo with us in a highly competitive and ever-changing environment. Learn more about Syneos Health .

At Syneos Health, we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace. If your pastexperience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway. At times, we take intoconsideration transferrable skills from previous roles. We also encourage you to join our Talent Network to stay connected to additional career opportunities.

Discover what our 29,000 employees already know: work here matters everywhere. We work hard,and smart, all in the name of getting much-needed therapies to thosewho need them most. A career with Syneos Health means your everyday work improvespatients’ lives around the world. Selecting us as an employer secures a career inwhich you’re guaranteed to:

Syneos Health is a leading integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities. Together we share insights, use the latest technologies and apply advanced business practices to speed our customers’ delivery of important therapies to patients. We support a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture.

Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Toll-Free: 866 462 7373

Syneos Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, marital status, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status and will not be discriminated against. If you are an individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to complete any part of our application process, including the use of this website, please contact us at: Email: [e-mail] One of our staff members will work with you to provide alternate means to submit your application.