Director, Proposal Management

We are seeking a Director, Proposal Management to lead our global full-service clinical proposals and budget’s function. This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for driving strategic direction, operational excellence, process standardization, talent development, and consistency across a global proposal management organization.

We are looking for a hands-on leader who is prepared to support the team when needed and has experience leading global proposal and budget teams within a CRO or pharmaceutical environment. The successful candidate will have a proven track record of building and developing high-performing teams, driving continuous improvement, influencing senior stakeholders, and partnering across commercial and operational functions to support business growth.

Summary Of Responsibilities Strategic Vision:

• Creates, initiates, and is accountable for the strategic vision for the Proposal Management department including key stakeholders within or external to Enterprise Client Solutions.
• Establishes current and future departmental organizational structure in support of and in alignment with the larger commercial organization including development, retention, and succession planning for managers and employees.
• Provides guidance and oversight for process improvement opportunities, applies analytical tools to process issues, and is accountable for team process improvements, removing obstacles through influence when needed.
• Advocate, communicate, and support the team across the enterprise to achieve a positive department reputation as well as support an effective and efficient working environment.
• Supports business growth by generating and leading innovative processes, strategic thinking, setting effective priorities, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and increased internal and external customer satisfaction, and identifying potential efficiencies.

Leadership

• Accountable for the development of a department training strategy (including new hires as well as continuous education).
• Supports team leaders and managers in the effective execution of their leadership and management responsibilities, including coaching and development (could include performance evaluation activities, career development for staff, training, etc.).
• Define global reporting requirements around performance metrics with support of department head and in collaboration with peers.
• Ensures effective business continuity (i.e., problem-solving against market concerns, resourcing issues, etc.).
• Actively builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders across the Business Unit (BU) and enterprise, acting as principal BU point-of-contact (POC) for other Commercial leaders, Operational leadership, and Executive Management (i.e., VP, GM, President).
• Provides solution-oriented approaches to address departmental issues.
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets departmental/commercial reports.

Management

• Addresses departmental issues/team performance with a proactive, strategic approach and an appropriate sense of urgency.
• Provides guidance and oversight for development and consistent implementation of global policies, procedures, and SOPs (developing and implementing when necessary).
• Performs timely and accurate data entry into departmental and/or corporate databases/systems as required.
• Accountable for timely and accurate data entry by team.
• Accountable for timely delivery of assigned opportunities across team.
• Executes defined reporting requirements around performance metrics, ensuring departmental productivity targets are met.
• Provides guidance and support to team when analyzing and resolving issues surrounding new/complex enquiries.
• Directs/facilitates negotiations with internal clients in partnership with Senior Management, Sales, etc
• Actively develops and manages department budget, with support of department head as needed.
• Acts as back-up to departmental head, as required.
• Completes other appropriate duties, as assigned by the manager, which require similar skills in accordance with business needs and common sense.
• Supports a global team based in one or more regions.
• All other duties as needed or assigned.
• People Responsibilities: 1-10 Direct Reports (BU dependent), 1-150 Indirect Reports (BU dependent).

Qualifications (Minimum Required)

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, business, or related field (or equivalent work experience).
• Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Experience (Minimum Required)

• Minimum of 14 years direct CRO/pharma experience with 9 years in a supervisory role preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, multi-task, prioritize, and lead a team.
• Track record of building successful teams.
• Proven track record in effective operations and/or commercial department management and leadership.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with clients and senior management.
• Ability to build relationships in support of successful outcomes.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with internal stakeholders, clients, and executive management.
• Ability to negotiate at all levels of an organization, with internal and external clients, towards a win-win solution.
• Demonstrated strength in conflict resolution.
• Shown focus on continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated positive approach to change management, with proven competency at being a supportive and effective change agent.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee data and information during interaction with staff at all levels.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

• Flexibility to participate in meetings across various time zones outside core working hours.
• Occasionally working extended hours in order to adhere to client deliverable timelines.
• Travel Required 30-40% of time, with up to 40% requiring an overnight stay. Travel is primarily to Training meetings, other Fortrea offices, client meetings, commercial meetings.

Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.