Associate Principal - R&D Advisory

Syneos Health, Inc.; United States; Remote; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits including Medical, Dental and Vision

Company match 401k

Flexible paid time off (PTO)

Job summary

Syneos Health, Inc. is seeking an Associate Principal Consultant in R&D Advisory to lead high-impact consulting engagements across life sciences R&D domains including clinical development, regulatory affairs, and quality.

The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in R&D consulting, proven leadership, and a collaborative mindset. Responsibilities include defining and implementing methodologies, guiding business processes, and mentoring junior team members.

This position offers remote work in the United States, competitive salary, and comprehensive benefits including health care and 401k.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in R&D consulting or industry roles.
• Proven leadership in enterprise implementations.
• Experience in defining and executing program contracts.

Responsibilities

• Serve as sponsor for R&D implementation programs.
• Guide proposal development and contribute to business development efforts.
• Mentor junior consultants and foster a culture of excellence.

Skills

Leadership in enterprise implementations

Client management skills

Communication skills

Change management

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences, business, or related field

Tools

Veeva Vault

Medidata

TMF Standard Model

CDISC data standards

Job description

Updated: Today
Location: Remote, United States
Job ID:16425

As an Associate Principal Consultant in R&D Advisory, you will lead as a strategic thought leader and subject matter expert across life sciences R&D domains—including clinical development, regulatory affairs, quality, and pharmacovigilance. You will lead high-impact consulting engagements, drive innovation in methodology and delivery, and cultivate trusted client relationships.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as executive sponsor for R&D implementation programs.
• Define and implement implementation methodologies aligned with industry regulations and best practices.
• Lead workshops, capability assessments, and business process design.
• Develop organizational change management (OCM) and training strategies.
• Deliver client roadmaps and transformation plans.
• Own client relationships and engagement strategy.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Guide proposal development and contribute to business development efforts.
• Maintain forward-looking offerings and contribute to internal knowledge development.
• Mentor junior consultants and foster a culture of excellence.
• Contribute to R&D internal offerings, process improvement, and operational efficiencies.
• Identify and implement opportunities for optimization.
• Support R&D business development and account activities.
• Support RFP responses and proposals.
• Support staffing for ongoing and upcoming projects.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business, or related field.
• 10+ years of experience in R&D consulting or industry roles.
• Proven leadership in enterprise implementations and transformation initiatives.
• Effective communication, presentation, and client management skills.
• Experience developing SOPs, Work Instructions, and controlled records.
• Driven and/or key contributor to multiple enterprise implementations for technologies (e.g. Veeva Vault, Medidata), operating models (functional, R&D level), business process and document optimization.
• At least 10 years’ experience in R&D-focused programs and methodologies (Clinical Operations, CDMS, RIM, Quality).
• Expert in industry standards and their application across people, process, technology & data (e.g. TMF Standard Model, Regulatory submissions, CDISC data standards).
• Experience in implementation execution, leading workstreams, and high-quality project delivery.
• Experience in performance management, monitoring team progress, and supporting development plans.
• Experience in defining and executing program contracts, change orders, resource, and budget management.
• At least 10 years’ experience in designing and facilitating workshops, business process modelling, capability assessments, and future state definition.
• At least 8 years’ experience in project management and/or change management.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and critical thinking skills.
• A collaborative mindset and commitment to fostering a supportive team environment.

Desired Requirements

• Professional/Life Sciences certifications (e.g. PROSCI, PMI/PMP).
• Consulting skill sets such as Six Sigma, Agile & Waterfall methodologies.
• Experience with record/data migration strategies and execution.
• Data strategy development and assessments.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $X to $Y. The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. In addition, some positions may include eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and / or individual performance.

Syneos Health companies are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers (Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled).

The benefits for this position will include a competitive compensation package, Health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, Company match 401k, flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time. Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos Health complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements.