Associate Director Vendor & Relationship Management

Description:

• Develop and execute vendor and supplier relationship management strategies for key clinical partners, including CROs, labs, functional service providers, clinical technologies, and patient recruitment vendors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor-related operational issues and escalate unresolved matters through governance pathways.
• Coordinate and facilitate vendor governance activities, including operational and steering committee meetings.
• Develop and maintain supplier scorecards, dashboards, and KPIs to monitor performance, trends, and risks.
• Conduct regular business reviews with vendors to align on priorities and performance expectations.
• Oversee vendor performance for outsourced clinical trials to support timelines, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Partner with Clinical Operations, Clinical Supply Chain, Quality, Finance, Procurement, and Legal to support compliant delivery and consistent outsourcing practices.
• Support inspection readiness activities, including audits, oversight documentation, and CAPA development.
• Contribute to process mapping, documentation, and standardized vendor oversight practices.
• Identify opportunities for performance improvement, cost optimization, vendor utilization, and innovation in vendor management.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in life science or a related field; advanced degree preferred.
• Approximately 8 years of experience in clinical trial operations, vendor/CRO oversight, supplier relationship management, or related biopharmaceutical roles.
• Experience managing complex vendor relationships and supporting performance improvement initiatives.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial operations and outsourced service models.
• Working knowledge of ICH GCP, regulatory requirements, and quality expectations for outsourced clinical activities.
• Strong analytical skills, including experience with supplier scorecards, KPIs, and performance dashboards.
• Experience in R&D outsourcing, vendor governance, or business operations functions.
• Exposure to financial management of outsourced services, including budgeting and accruals.
• Experience supporting audits, inspections, or inspection readiness activities.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally.

Benefits:

• Competitive base salary of $145,400 to $181,700 USD.
• Eligibility for discretionary bonus and equity awards based on individual and organizational performance.
• Competitive base, bonus, new hire, and ongoing equity packages.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Employer-paid life, disability, business travel, and EAP coverage.
• 401(k) plan with fully vested company match of 1:1 up to 5%.
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan with a 2-year purchase price lock-in.
• 15+ vacation days plus 13–15 paid holidays, including office closure from December 24 to January 1.
• 10 days of paid sick time and paid parental leave.
• Tuition assistance.