Vendor Startup Manager IRT – Single Sponsor (home-based)

QUK IQVIA Ltd.; Reading; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A global clinical research organization is seeking a Vendor Startup Manager in Reading, UK, to enhance vendor service delivery during clinical trial startup phases. The ideal candidate will have strong vendor management skills and experience in clinical trial processes. Key responsibilities include vendor onboarding and performance monitoring. This position is pivotal for driving the success of global clinical trials.

Qualifications

• Experience with vendor contracting, budgeting, and onboarding.
• Ability to implement contingency plans.

Responsibilities

• Ensure vendor input in final study specs.
• Support vendor selection and bid process.
• Lead kick-off meetings for vendors.
• Review quotes and assist with negotiations.
• Identify and mitigate startup risks.
• Monitor vendor performance and escalate issues.
• Conduct robust UAT for IRT systems.
• Collaborate with various teams to ensure startup success.

Skills

Vendor management skills

Knowledge of clinical trial startup processes

Strategic thinking

Risk assessment

Excellent communication skills

Hands-on experience with IRT, UAT, UVP

Job description

Job overview

Are you a Clinical (Project) IRT Manager with a passion for vendor excellence and study startup success?

We’re looking for a Vendor Startup Manager (VSM) to join our Single Sponsor Department, dedicated exclusively to Novartis. In this role, you’ll bring technical expertise to accelerate vendor service delivery during the critical startup phase of global clinical trials.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong vendor management skills and deep knowledge of clinical trial startup processes
• Strategic thinking and the ability to assess risk and implement contingency plans
• Experience with vendor contracting, budgeting, and onboarding
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across internal and external stakeholders
• Hands-on experience with tools like IRT, UAT (User Acceptance Testing) and UVP (Unified Vendor Portal)

What You’ll Do

As a Vendor Startup Manager, you’ll be the go-to expert for vendor service categories during study startup. Your key responsibilities include:

• Protocol & Specification Review – Ensure vendor input is reflected in final study specs
• Study Specification Worksheet (SSW) – Support vendor selection and bid process
• Vendor Kick-Off & Onboarding – Lead meetings and ensure readiness for DB go-live
• Budget & Contract Support – Review quotes and assist with negotiations
• Risk Mapping & Contingency Planning – Proactively identify and mitigate startup risks
• Performance Oversight – Monitor vendor delivery and escalate issues as needed
• UAT Execution – Conduct robust testing and design for IRT systems
• Collaboration – Partner with TVMs, VALs, Procurement, and QA to drive startup success

What You’ll Deliver

• Accelerated and high-quality vendor startup
• Vendor risk maps and performance tracking
• Audit-ready documentation and compliance
• Continuous improvement and best practice sharing
• Expertise in key service categories like Central Labs, Imaging, and Diagnostics

This is a high-impact opportunity to shape the success of global clinical trials from day one. If you’re ready to lead vendor startup excellence in a dynamic, sponsor-focused environment—we’d love to hear from you!

This position is not eligible for UK VISA Sponsorship

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com