Director, Strategy & Planning – Real World Late Phase/Real World Evidence

About the role

Lead pre‑award strategy and commercial leadership for Real World Late Phase (RWLP) accounts, guide the transition to delivery, and serve as the strategic account leader post‑award. You will partner with senior clients and internal delivery teams to ensure alignment with RWLP evidence strategies and business objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Own pre‑award strategy, RFP/RFI response, service model definition, budgeting and vendor strategy; lead bid defense meetings.
• Partner with delivery teams to hand off strategy, assumptions, risks, scope, timelines and budget expectations.
• Maintain strategic oversight of portfolio performance, governance and alignment with approved commercial intent.
• Lead client‑facing strategic conversations on RWLP standards, evidence strategy and operational approaches; sustain senior‑level sponsor relationships.
• Provide ongoing strategic guidance during study conduct, supporting complex problem‑solving, risk assessment and integrated solution development.
• Identify growth opportunities, extensions, hybrid clinical‑RWLP approaches and preferred partnership models.

Required profile

• 10–12 years of relevant experience with at least 6–8 years in RWLP/RWE, including proposal development, budgeting and bid defense.
• Strong experience in real‑world late‑phase research within a CRO or pharmaceutical environment.
• Proven ability to manage complex client portfolios, vendor and partner engagement, and multi‑stakeholder matrixed teams.
• Excellent communication skills, capable of presenting to senior stakeholders and delivering training.

Required skills

• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and virtual collaboration tools.
• Experience with hybrid, decentralized or virtual study models.
• Familiarity with emerging technologies and digital tools such as generative AI to drive efficiency.
• Vendor evaluation and selection expertise.