Executive Director, Therapeutic Strategy Lead, Oncology

Worldwide Clinical Trials; North Carolina; On-site; USD 179,500 - 356,500; Full time

Job summary

Worldwide Clinical Trials seeks an Oncology Therapeutic Strategy Lead to act as a therapeutic consultant across BD, TA leads, and delivery teams, shaping early development strategies for new business.

You will partner with sales, clinical operations, and other functions to craft delivery approaches for complex trials, support award decisions, and help present strategy to clients. This role demands strong leadership, strategic thinking, and deep industry knowledge.

Qualifications

• Broad protocol knowledge and experience.
• Strong understanding of other Worldwide functions.
• Proven ability to make decisions with limited information.
• Experience working productively in a pressurized environment, balancing strategic priorities.
• Comprehensive global knowledge of biopharma and drug development lifecycle.
• In‑depth knowledge of GCP/ICH guidelines and regulations.
• Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills in English.
• Strong leadership and ability to lead a virtual team.
• Innovative and strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Flexible and willing to work across therapeutic areas.
• Proficient with technology to research opportunities and competitive landscape.
• Ability to build relationships across a wide network.
• Effective mentoring and training skills.

Responsibilities

• Partner with TA Leader and BD to create delivery strategies for clinical trials and secure new business.
• Enable project delivery teams to implement the project strategy on awarded projects and present to clients.
• Collaborate with sales to evaluate opportunities from receipt to award, including RFI and partnerships.
• Contribute to budget development and pricing strategy for proposed projects.
• Guide project leaders through handover and client presentations.
• Support sales in customer meetings and bid defenses with content and win themes.
• Develop commercial strategy and marketing campaigns with TA, BD, and marketing teams.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Therapeutic strategy

Protocol knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Decision making

High pressure work

Global biopharma

GCP/ICH knowledge

Communication skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Negotiation & influence

Flexibility

Mentoring & training

Matrix organization

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Job description

What The Oncology Therapeutic Strategy Lead Does At Worldwide

The Oncology Therapeutic Strategy Lead will serve as a therapeutic consultant to both the Business Development organization and the Therapeutic Area Leads. This cross‑functional role works across the organization to support the sales and customer lifecycle, beginning with new customer presentations and continuing through to project award. The role has broad impact and interacts with several areas within the company, including clinical, medical, safety, program management, regulatory, technology, and business development operations to jointly devise initial development strategies for new business.

What You Will Do

• Support TA Leader to partner with BD and operations to create effective delivery strategies and solutions for clinical trials ranging from small complex studies to large, multi‑service, multi‑region studies or programs to include portfolio management, addressing the specific needs and challenges of each customer, and differentiate Worldwide from its competitors. In partnership with sales, medical, operations, and other functions, responsible for the award of strategic and tactical new business to achieve annual gross new business targets.
• Support the assigned TAL/FAL for project centricity within the organization by enabling the project delivery team assigned to an awarded project to understand and implement the project strategy that was sold. Partner with BD and operations to create compelling delivery strategies and solutions for clinical studies or programs that incorporate and leverage Worldwide services and experience, are operationally feasible, and result in the award of new business.
• Collaborate with sales to evaluate and manage new opportunities received from customers from receipt through to the award decision. This may include, but is not limited to, standalone programs and projects, requests for information (RFI), capabilities, early engagement, and partnering discussions.
• In support of TAL and BD, work with key internal stakeholders to analyze information and data that enable the development of efficient and feasible delivery solutions. Contribute to the development of the budget (service fees and pass‑through costs) associated with the proposed project strategy. The budget should be competitive and in line with the contribution margin targets and pricing strategy agreed with sales, leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Support the TAL and account director to guide and mentor the assigned project leader through a comprehensive handover of the project strategy and facilitate their understanding so that they can confidently present the project strategy to the client and the internal stakeholders.
• Actively support sales in the preparation and conduct of customer and bid defense meetings, e.g., training and preparation of the assigned project team; provide specific content; ensure presentation focus and that content effectively conveys project strategy and critical win themes. Attend and present at customer meetings, bid defense, or partnership meetings, as required (based on the strategy for selling the opportunity).
• Work in conjunction with the therapeutic area leads, business development, and marketing to develop commercial strategy and corresponding marketing campaigns to drive the gross business targets.
• Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all‑inclusive.

What You Bring To The Role

• Remain up to date with knowledge and information that support effectiveness as a therapeutic strategy lead, e.g., understanding Worldwide’s services and product offerings, status and trends in assigned TA(s), innovations and advances in clinical trial methodology and business intelligence.
• Broad protocol knowledge and experience.
• Strong understanding of other Worldwide functions.
• Proven ability to make decisions with limited information, bringing clarity to disparate information to inform actions and drive results.
• Experience working productively in a pressurized environment, balancing strategic priorities and maintaining a positive outlook at work; handles feedback well and learns from it.
• Comprehensive global knowledge, awareness, and practical understanding of the biopharma industry, drug development lifecycle, and operational clinical trial delivery.
• Robust and current knowledge of the scientific, clinical, regulatory, commercial and competitive landscape in the applicable therapeutic area.
• In‑depth knowledge of, and skill in applying, applicable clinical research regulatory requirements; i.e., Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and International Conference on Harmonisation (ICH) guidelines. Demonstrated ability to understand customer needs, have difficult conversations with internal/external stakeholders and customers, negotiate solutions, and understand impacts on the overall offering. Excellent communication, presentation and interpersonal skills, including a good command of the English language (both written and spoken).
• Strong leadership skills, ability to work with minimal supervision, and lead a virtual team in a matrix organization.
• Innovative and strategic thinker.
• Strong business acumen, including confidence with financial considerations, excellent negotiation and influencing skills, and comfort working in both sales and operational environments.
• Flexible and able to work in situations where specifications may or may not be well defined, and willing to support work in other therapeutic areas when required.
• Confident and capable in the use of technology, applications, and other media, e.g., databases and the internet, to research, assess new opportunities, maintain currency of therapeutic knowledge and the competitive landscape.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a wide network of individuals, e.g., coworkers, managers, and customers.
• Effective mentoring and training skills foster learning and knowledge sharing with colleagues.

Your Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or related field.
• Advanced degree preferred, with specialization in one or more therapeutic areas and 10+ years of global clinical research experience, including hands‑on operational delivery and/or drug development experience.
• Proven track record in operational delivery and/or drug development; or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
• Personnel are evaluated on proven competency, level of responsibility, and ability to work independently.

Compensation

The salary range for this position is annually: United States of America – $179,500.00 – $356,500.00. The salary range provided is intended to give candidates an understanding of potential earnings. Compensation will fall within the provided range and is not a guarantee of exact salary. The final salary will be determined based on relevant experience, performance, education and internal equity. In addition to base salary, we offer a competitive benefits package depending on location. We ensure pay equity and transparency and comply with all applicable labor laws. Salary information will be discussed during the interview process, and we encourage candidates to inquire about compensation at any stage.

EEO & Our Commitment

At Worldwide Clinical Trials, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace by providing transparent compensation and ensuring pay equity and transparency. We comply with all applicable labor laws and provide a diverse, safe and inclusive working environment.