Site Contracting Team Lead

Job Summary
The Site Contracting Team Lead (“SCTL”) is a member of the ICL community. They provide one or more asset-level operational performance oversight for site contracting activities regionally and, as appropriate, globally. SCTL will partner with different GSSO functions, and others as required to ensure a coordinated approach to study start up through conduct and study close out and will ensure the operational delivery of responsible tasks at country, regional or asset-level. SCTL creates a coherent baseline-to-forecast narrative, identifies systemic risks early and enables decision-ready insights to support timely site activation across studies and countries. The role serves as the central asset-level point of coordination between Regional Heads and asset-level stakeholders. SCTL is experienced and familiar with the requirements of an Investigator Contracts Lead in negotiations and end-to-end site contracting processes.

SCTL engagement in contract execution is based and focused on systemic, cross-study, cross-country or asset-level risks that may threaten baseline delivery or create significant portfolio leverage opportunities.

SCTL may be responsible for direct site-facing contract and budget negotiations through contract execution with assigned clinical investigator sites including initial agreements and amendments on assigned studies. This role may also act as a single point of contact for studies with high priority or complex or unique contracting structure sand strategies and is expected to be able to plan and solve for these situations with minimum oversight.

SCTLs will monitor and identify site contract negotiations by study priority that are or may be at risk and submit their findings and mitigation actions implemented to the Regional Head or relevant stakeholder.

Job Responsibility

Asset and Study-Level Operational Delivery

· Coordinate, represent and align the asset – level contracting strategy across regions and stakeholders.

· Facilitate alignment on milestones, assumptions and dependencies across regions

· Partner with Regional Heads, who retain accountability for regional execution, quality and resource deployment.

· Attend asset level meetings and sub-meetings as required

· Own negotiation strategy and execution of CSAs for critical sites, ensuring alignment with study timelines and risk mitigation

· Exercise independent judgement and decision making in areas of site contracting with minimum supervision.

· Has advanced knowledge of the principles, concepts and theories in site contracting and budgets.

Stakeholder Alignment & Continuous Improvement

· Translate contracting risks into decision-ready inputs

· Drive focused, data driven follow-up with clear ownership, deadlines, and closure expectations

· Convert recurring execution challenges into scalable process improvements, action logs, FAQs and lessons learned in partnership with Regional Heads and Enablement owners

· Support global knowledge sharing while allowing regional adaptation.

· Use outcomes and leading indicators (e.g., hold aging, pipeline distribution, negotiation themes, forecast deltas) to detect systemic risks early

· Trigger targeted interventions (deep dives, unblocks, escalations, resource alignment discussions) before baseline delivery is compromised

· Use analytics to identify systemic patterns and enable proactive, exception-based intervention

Negotiation, Triage and Escalation Boundaries

· Make appropriate decisions, with limited oversight while balancing the risks for Pfizer in making budget and contractual choices against the impacts to Pfizer clinical trial timelines.

· Problem solving for site contracting issues of moderate or high complexity. This includes suggesting and implementing unique solutions, as needed, to achieve study goals.

· May execute negotiations or act as the delivery owner at study or country level.

· Provides input and insight into complex or systemic negotiation patterns when required at asset level.

· Ensures legal, budget or payment triage processes decisions from legal, Budget triage or Payments SME are fully supported and implemented as directed.

· Escalates systemic risks or recurring issues observed through established triage channels or to the Regional Head.

Coaching, Capability and Quality Enablement

· SCTL operates through matrix leadership, influencing without direct authority as part of capability building, readiness support and complex negotiation preparation.

· SCTL may sponsor quality-readiness frameworks and step-down QC enablement where agreed.

· SCTL has demonstrated ability to operate independently in driving assigned takes and has a track record of resourcefulness and ability to support other roles

· SCTL expectation is that the colleague can be placed on any study (high priority, unique model, challenging teams) with limited support as they are able to work at a higher level to manage more challenging environments.

Education & Training:

· 10+ years of experience with a 4-year degree (BA/BS or equivalent)

· Deep expertise in clinical site contracting and study start-up processes

· Strong understanding of asset-level delivery models and portfolio management

· Knowledge of clinical development process

· Ability to oversee third-party vendor deliverables to agreed quality and timelines

· Experience working in highly matrixed, global organizations and getting results without authority

· Proven ability to operate with senior leadership and cross functional stakeholders

· Experience with clinical study budgets and contracting negotiation principles, practices, processes, and activities

· Balance of general business, compliance, finance, legal, and drug development experience

· Clear communication and presentation skills

· Expertise in the use of study/site dashboard and reporting tools

· Detail oriented & possesses technical expertise

· Ability to manage moderately complex processes

· Risk Identification & Mitigation

· Strategic Planning, Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills

· Critical Path Analysis

· Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal

· Ability to adapt to changing technologies and processes

Preferred Qualifications:

· 7+ years of relevant experience with a US Juris Doctorate or equivalent legal degree. Prior experience in asset-level or portfolio level operational leadership