Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management

Scorpion Therapeutics; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity awards

Medical coverage

401(k) match

ESPP

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking an Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management for a hybrid role based in San Diego, CA (3 days in office per week) or Princeton, NJ. You will lead vendor governance and optimize relationships with CROs, labs and technology partners.

You will build dashboards, scorecards and KPIs, manage budgets and ensure timely, compliant delivery of outsourced trials, while collaborating across functions and supporting inspection readiness.

Qualifications

• BS in life sciences; advanced degree preferred.
• Approximately 8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor oversight, or supplier relationship management.
• Knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory and quality expectations for outsourced activities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute vendor relationship strategies across CROs, labs, and service providers.
• Serve as primary contact for vendor operations and governance escalation.
• Lead vendor governance meetings and drive performance reviews.
• Build supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor risks and trends.
• Oversee outsourced clinical trial vendor performance to meet timelines and budgets.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliant service delivery.
• Support inspection readiness activities and CAPA documentation.

Skills

Vendor governance

KPI dashboards

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting/accruals

Inspection readiness

Education

BS in life science

Job description

Position Summary

Associate Director, Vendor & Relationship Management (hybrid; office 3 days/week; based in Princeton, NJ or San Diego, CA).

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute vendor/supplier relationship management strategies; manage critical partners (CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, patient recruitment/retention).
• Serve as primary point of contact for vendor operational issues; resolve and escal*ate via governance pathways.
• Facilitate vendor governance (operational/steering committee meetings).
• Build and maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor performance, risks, and trends.
• Run routine business reviews with vendors (partnering with Sourcing and Legal as needed).
• Oversee vendor performance for outsourced clinical trials with Clinical Operations; ensure alignment to timelines, budgets, and quality.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to support timely, compliant delivery of services.
• Support inspection readiness (audits, oversight documentation, CAPA with Quality).
• Map processes and implement standardized vendor oversight practices.
• Drive continuous improvement: performance, efficiency, collaboration, innovation, best practices/tools, and cost/demand optimization.
• Support vendor reporting/dashboards, analyze metrics, mentor stakeholders, influence cross-functionally.

Education/Experience/Skills (Required/Preferred)

• BS in life science/related field; advanced degree preferred. ~8 years in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, or supplier relationship management (or equivalent).
• Strong clinical trial operations knowledge; working knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory and quality expectations for outsourced activities.
• Analytical skills (scorecards/KPIs/dashboards); experience with R&D outsourcing/vendor governance; financial exposure (budgeting/accruals).
• Experience with audits/inspection readiness; familiarity with partnership management; excellent communication/organization.
• Travel domestically/internationally.

Benefits

• Competitive base + discretionary bonus and equity awards; medical/dental/vision; employer-paid life/disability/travel/EAP; 401(k) match; ESPP; 15+ vacation days; 13-15 paid holidays; paid sick time; paid parental leave; tuition assistance.

(If applicable) Physical/Work Requirements

• Ability to work standard office and independently from remote locations; occasional lifting/moving up to 20 lbs; travel overnight and/or work after hours as needed.