Sr Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations

Syneos Health; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 225,000 - 245,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits (Medical, Dental, &amp

Vision benefits

401(k) matching

Paid time off & sick time

Job summary

Syneos Health is seeking a Sr Director of Commercial Strategy & Operations in Chicago, IL. The role serves as a strategic advisor and operational leader, coordinating with senior leaders and the customer’s VP to align objectives and drive key commercial initiatives.

You will lead governance, performance management, and launch planning for new products, indications, and business initiatives, ensuring accountability and cross-functional alignment across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, Life Sciences, or related field.
• 10+ years of relevant pharmaceutical/biotech industry experience including sales leadership and product strategy.
• Experience in commercial strategy, sales leadership, marketing, market access, or related functions.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple key workstreams and coordinate timelines with senior stakeholders.
• Develop, execute, and monitor short- and long-term commercial strategies with Commercial Leadership.
• Lead annual strategic planning, business reviews, and launch readiness assessments.
• Monitor progress against commercial priorities and mitigate risks.
• Develop dashboards and performance metrics to monitor commercial success.
• Coordinate cross-functional initiatives across Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Operations, Finance, HR, and Analytics.

Skills

Strategic planning

Cross-functional leadership

Analytical skills

Communication

Program/project management

Adaptability

Travel up to 25%

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Smartsheet

MS Project

Veeva

Job description

Sr Director, Commercial Strategy & Operations

Updated: Yesterday
Location: Chicago, IL, United States
Job ID:16999

This position serves as a pivotal strategic advisor and operational leader, reporting to the Syneos Health Senior Vice President and in close collaboration with the customer's Vice President, Head of Sales. The core responsibility is to act as a key connection between AOP Health and Syneos on key projects and objectives that are core to the business objectives set by AOP Health.

In this role you will be accountable for the development, coordination, and measurement of strategic commercial initiatives, which impact the overall effectiveness of the organization, including incentive programs, POA execution, operational excellence, training and monitoring, budget and expense management, field force effectiveness (performance management and productivity analysis) as well as identifying key opportunities that will accelerate client objectives.

Essential Requirements: Strategic Planning & Business Execution

• Manage multiple key workstreams, connect key decision makers from both organizations, and maintain timelines for each project.
• Partner with Commercial Leadership to develop, execute, and monitor short- and long-term commercial strategies.
• Lead annual strategic planning, monthly and quarterly business reviews, launch readiness assessments, and operating plan development.
• Monitor progress against key commercial priorities, identifying risks, opportunities, and mitigation plans.
• Ensure alignment of resources, investments, and organizational priorities with business objectives.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to the Commercial Leadership Team.
• Prepare executive presentations, business reviews, and strategic recommendations.
• Lead development of leadership meeting agendas, action tracking, and decision governance.
• Support executive communications and change management initiatives.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate activities across Sales, Marketing, Market Access, Operations, Finance, HR, and Analytics.
• Facilitate collaboration and alignment on critical initiatives including product launches, organizational transformations, and growth strategies.
• Remove barriers to execution and resolve cross-functional issues impacting performance.

Commercial Operations & Organizational Effectiveness

• Establish processes that improve decision-making, accountability, and operational efficiency.
• Lead commercial governance processes, including business reviews and performance management cadence.
• Drive implementation of key initiatives and organizational priorities.
• Develop dashboards and performance metrics to monitor commercial success.
• Lead high-priority strategic initiatives from concept through implementation.
• Manage commercial project portfolios to ensure milestones, timelines, and deliverables are achieved.
• Coordinate launch planning activities for new products, indications, or business initiatives.
• Provide structured project management support for enterprise-wide programs.

Business Insights & Performance Management

• Analyze market, competition, and business performance trends.
• Synthesize complex information into actionable recommendations for leadership.
• Monitor commercial KPIs and performance against goals.

Culture & Organizational Development

• Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Drive employee engagement efforts and organizational communications.
• Support all aspects of the co-employment agreement to include interviewing and hiring, aligning strategic perspectives, coaching core behaviors, financial and administrative oversight, and all aspects of employment including performance management solutions.

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor's degree in business, Life Sciences, or related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 10 years of relevant pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience, with sales leadership experience & direct experience in developing product strategy and executing product launches.
• 5+ years of experience in commercial strategy, sales leadership, marketing, market access, consulting, business operations, or related functions.
• Experience supporting senior executives (CCO, Commercial President, General Manager, or Business Unit Head) preferred.
• Demonstrable experience leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong understanding of pharmaceutical commercialization, product launches, market access, customer engagement, and healthcare ecosystem dynamics.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn complex data into actionable insights.
• Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including strong formal presentation skills (Expertise with MS360).
• Strategic Agility: Ability to synthesize data, deliver key messages, and recommend action plans.
• Program & Project Management: Familiarity with launch planning software and project management tools (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Veeva).
• Adaptability: Able to adapt to changes in the work environment, ambiguity, and managing demands.
• Ability to travel up to 25% required.

The annual base salary for this position ranges from $225,000 to $245,000. 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.

Benefits for this position 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 companies are affirmative action/equal opportunity employers (Minorities/Females/Veterans/Disabled).

Syneos Health is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, marital status, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status and will not be discriminated against. If you are an individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to complete any part of our application process, including the use of this website, please contact us at: Email: [email protected]