Proposals and Contracts Manager - Clinical Research

Parexel; United States; Remote; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Parexel is seeking a Proposals and Contracts Manager to be home based in Romania, Ireland, UK, or Spain. The role focuses on ownership of proposal and contract management, developing standards for clients, and partnering with stakeholders across the organization.

You will lead the RFP process, coordinate SMEs, prepare budgets, identify risks, and negotiate contracts with clients. This is a client-facing, independent role requiring strong communication and multitasking under tight deadlines.

Qualifications

• Experience in CRO or life sciences proposal/contract management.
• Knowledge of regional clinical study operations across regions.
• Experience managing client contracts and proposals across multiple regions.

Responsibilities

• Own the RFP process from receipt to delivery.
• Coordinate SMEs and manage budgets, quotes, and timelines.
• Prepare and modify proposals and contracts per client specs.
• Lead client negotiations and sign-off processes.
• Maintain documentation and KPI data for proposals and contracts.

Skills

Problem-solving

Decision-making

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Team collaboration

Matrix environment

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Life Science/Business/Languages

MBA preferred

Tools

Salesforce

Budgeting tools

Job description

When our values align, there’s no limit to what we can achieve.

At Parexel, we all share the same goal - to improve the world’s health. From clinical trials to regulatory, consulting, and market access, every clinical development solution we provide is underpinned by something special - a deep conviction in what we do.

Each of us, no matter what we do at Parexel, contributes to the development of a therapy that ultimately will benefit a patient. We take our work personally, we do it with empathy and we’re committed to making a difference.

Parexel is looking for a Proposals and Contracts Manager to be home based in Romania, Ireland, UK, or Spain.

In this client-facing role, you will take ownership of proposal and contract management and develop standards tailored to individual clients. You will partner with colleagues at every level of the organization, so we are looking for someone who brings excellent customer service, careful attention to detail, and the persistence to communicate clearly and effectively.

This role proactively leads internal and client meetings and negotiates with clients with minimal support. You will work independently with limited supervision to meet deadlines. Therefore we are looking for people who display confidence interacting with all levels of staff, are self-motivated, nd approach their work with a sense of urgency and a positive attitude.

Proposal Development

This role carries overall accountability for the RFP process, from receipt of documentation, including the study protocol or synopsis, through to delivery.

You will:

• ensure that the appropriate Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are assigned and notified,
• coordinate key strategic and operational areas to facilitate proposal preparation, while adhering to the Decision Rights policy.
• with assistance, prepare and modify proposals and budgets based on SME feedback and input from proposal management staff
• identify and mitigate risks to completion.
• obtain third-party quotes as needed
• ensure proposals and budgets align with client specifications and internal assumptions
• keep documents, files, and KPI data up to date.

Contract Development

This role has overall management responsibility for the contract process across specific or varied accounts, coordinating Operations, Project Management, Legal, Business Development, and Finance to prepare, review, and negotiate contracts.

You will:

• develop account-specific contract standards, including budget presentation, payment terms, and standard contract language,
• lead client discussions and negotiations as appropriate.
• create, negotiate, and finalise contracts in line with departmental SOPs and work instructions and draft documents from Parexel templates
• develop contract strategies and plans for delivery and client signature.
• amend project budgets with the project and functional teams
• provide accurate client deliverables on tight deadlines
• lead client meetings to negotiate costs and terms by the target signature date. identify and manage contractual issues requiring finance, tax, or other stakeholder input

Skills:

• Strong problem-solving skills and sound decision-making are essential
• Strong analytical, organizational, and multi-tasking skills
• Demonstrable record of consistent high-quality, on-time work under pressure
• Good judgment on when to bring in support or elevate difficult situations
• Excellent attention to detail, strong oral and written communication
• Well-developed interpersonal skills and a strong team orientation
• Able to work successfully in a matrix environment
• Ability to work irregular and/or extended hours as needed to meet the client’s proposal deadline.

Knowledge and Experience

• Strong experience in proposals (preferred) or contracts in a CRO or other life sciences environment.
• Finance experience suitable if paired with proposals or contracting experience
• Strong understanding of the different operational aspects of clinical study conducts in different regions across the world, demonstrated by previous work experience in the industry.
• Standard knowledge of managing client contract processes, accounts, and reporting.
• Broad experience in proposals (preferred) and contract management., the principles, contractual terms, pricing structures, pricing tools and data systems (e.g. Salesforce)
• Previous experience in proposal development is a plus.
• Multinational and multicultural companies experience is also a plus.
• Supervisory experience is a plus.

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Business, Languages or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA preferred.