New 
Sr. Manager/Manager, Vendor Strategy & Relationships
 Spectraforce Technologies | |
 United States, Illinois, North Chicago | |
 Mar 10, 2026 | |
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Position Title: Sr. Manager/Manager, Vendor Strategy & Relationships
Length of Contract: through 31Dec2026 (at a minimum) Location: Remote What are the top 3-5 skills, experience or education required for this position: 1. Demonstrates Central Lab SME expertise, as well as relationship & leadership competencies 2. Sr. Manager role - 6+ years of clinical development experience in pharmaceutical, healthcare, regulated industry; including 5+ years working with third-party vendors; 3. Strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication, conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills 4. Sr. Manager role - demonstrates expertise in strategic alignment execution, supporting operational excellence in mid to high complex TAs with vendors; manage partnership escalations and support study-level escalations. 5. Bachelor's degree Purpose : As a member of the Vendor Strategy and Relationship (VSR), this role delivers operational and strategic value across the full vendor lifecycle. The role provides subject matter expertise (SME), fosters strategic alignment with vendors, and supports innovative, sustainable growth through operational excellence. The role ensures effective partnership management by centralizing expertise, standardizing processes, optimizing performance, and proactively managing risks and trends within the Therapeutic Areas (TA), organization and vendor(s). This role leverages both operational experience with strategic insight to align study, TA and Portfolio decisions with enterprise vendor strategies. Responsibilities : * Execute vendor selection strategies with business and study teams. * Lead early engagement activities with study teams and vendor, advising on TA design risks, trends and key considerations. * Lead internal vendor study kick-off meeting, co-lead joint vendor and study team kick-off meeting. * Conduct 2nd round review on key vendor documents (e.g., contracts, study specifications) to ensure quality and alignment. * Provide financial health support to study teams. * Manage partnership escalations, including internal communications; support study-level escalations per escalation plan. * Educate study teams on database lock and close-out processes, provide guidance and risk mitigation support. * Develop TA/partnership standards, training resources, and deliver JIT training at key milestones to study teams; lead multi-study lessons learned and share across TA(s). * Identify, lead or contribute to partnership enhancements; support partnership training and drive TA change management efforts. Qualifications : * Bachelor's degree (or ex-US equivalent) is preferred, in a relevant field as business economics, science or health administration. * Must have 6+ years of clinical development experience (and/or applicable work experience); including 3+ years (and/or applicable work experience); working with global third-party vendors. * Competent in the application of standard business procedures (SOPs, ICH, Global Regulations, Ethics and Compliance). * Demonstrates subject matter expertise within vendor category (e.g., capabilities, processes, technical) as well as relationship and leadership competencies. * Strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. * Expertise in analyzing complex business problems and data to design and implement innovative solutions. * Excellent cross-functional partnership skills; experience managing complex and cross-functional initiatives to achieve objectives, timelines and change management * Ability to influence internal/external stakeholders and drive decision-making in a collaborative working environment that allows for the appropriate levels of involvement and decision-making. | |