Vendor Scoping Lead

The Vendor Scoping Lead is responsible for leading the end-to-end vendor scoping, budgeting, and outsourcing strategy process across clinical development programs.

This role partners closely with Clinical Operations, Compound Operational Leads (COLs), Study Teams, Procurement, Finance, and external service providers to ensure accurate study cost forecasting, competitive vendor selection, and timely governance approvals.

The Vendor Scoping Lead plays a critical role in optimizing study delivery by balancing quality, timelines, and cost considerations while ensuring alignment with organisational outsourcing strategies and business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end vendor scoping, budgeting, and outsourcing activities for global and regional clinical development programs.
• Partner with study teams and key stakeholders to identify outsourcing requirements and develop fit-for-purpose vendor engagement strategies.
• Develop, review, and optimise study budgets, ensuring accuracy, competitiveness, and alignment with program objectives.
• Prepare cost scenarios, budget comparisons, and financial analyses to support governance discussions and decision-making.
• Lead vendor budget negotiations and commercial discussions to achieve optimal value while maintaining quality and delivery standards.
• Coordinate and support the preparation of Requests for Proposal (RFPs), bid evaluations, and vendor selection activities.
• Evaluate vendor proposals, challenge assumptions, benchmark costs, and identify opportunities for budget optimisation.
• Collaborate with Procurement and Contract Services teams to ensure seamless transition from approved scope and budget to executed agreements.
• Support study teams through governance review processes by preparing clear scoping documentation, financial analyses, and recommendation packages.
• Monitor alignment between approved study scope, vendor proposals, and contractual commitments.
• Contribute to the evaluation and management of preferred vendor relationships and strategic outsourcing partnerships.
• Maintain awareness of market trends, vendor capabilities, outsourcing models, and industry benchmarking data.
• Ensure appropriate balance between cost, timelines, quality, and operational feasibility throughout the vendor scoping process.
• Act as a key point of contact between internal stakeholders and external service providers during planning and start-up phases.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Business Administration, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, CRO, or clinical research environments.
• At least 4 years of direct experience in clinical operations, vendor management, outsourcing, procurement, strategic sourcing, financial planning, or study budgeting.
• Demonstrated experience supporting vendor selection, RFP management, scope development, and contract budgeting activities.
• Experience negotiating budgets and commercial terms with CROs, central laboratories, clinical technology vendors, and other clinical service providers.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial outsourcing models, governance structures, and drug development processes.
• Experience preparing business cases, governance materials, and financial analyses for senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of clinical development across multiple phases and therapeutic areas is preferred.

Skills & Competencies:

• Strong clinical trial budgeting and financial management expertise.
• Advanced cost modelling, forecasting, and scenario analysis skills.
• Ability to evaluate vendor proposals and translate operational needs into appropriate outsourcing scope.
• Strong negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Excellent business acumen and commercial mindset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills.
• Ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and timelines when making recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation abilities.
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Demonstrated accountability, results orientation, agility, and continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including advanced Excel skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; additional languages are advantageous.