Senior Proposal and Contracts Specialist

Parexel is looking for a Senior Proposals and Contracts Specialist who has a solid knowledge of proposals and contract management principles and strong previous experience in project support, contracting, or proposals in a CRO or similar environment.

Key Accountabilities:

Proposal Development:

• Receives and analyzes Requests for Proposals (RFPs) documentation including study protocol or synopsis and ensures all appropriate Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are assigned and notified of the Requests for Proposals (RFPs).
• Facilitates the development of basic proposal preparation including the coordination of all key strategic and operational areas, preparation and review of proposal and budgets, while ensuring adherence to the Decisions Right policy. Ensures proposal and budgets align with Requests for Proposals (RFPs), client specifications and communications, and internal assumptions.
• Prepares and modifies strategic proposals and budgets as appropriate to respond to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and revisions, with assistance, based on Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) feedback and proposal management staff.
• Manages the Requests for Proposals (RFPs) process from receipt to delivery, including identifying potential Requests for Proposals (RFPs) barriers and/or their risks for completion while identifying and implementing effective and efficient mitigation strategies.
• Obtains third party quotes as needed.
• Ensure all documents and files are saved in the appropriate areas and keep all data updated regularly in systems used for metric and Key PI purposes.

Contract Development:

• Creates, negotiates, and finalizes contracts in accordance with departmental SOPs/guidance/work instructions.
• Amend project budgets as required in partnership with the project and functional teams ensuring all information is included from all groups.
• Utilize all internal tools and reports to appropriately amend client budgets.
• Develop a contract strategy to create the contract plan for delivery and client signature with accountable team members.
• Provide quality client deliverables to strict deadlines ensuring the formatted client grid presents the proper rationale for the cost changes.
• Attend all relevant meetings and builds relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Proactively leads and facilitates client meetings as required to negotiate costs and terms by targeted client signature date.
• Prepare draft contract documents from Parexel templates per guidance and in conjunction with relevant departments as needed.
• Identifies contractual issues that require finance/tax/other internal stakeholder input and applies lessons learned to similar scenarios in new contracts.
• Ensure all documents and files are saved in the appropriate areas and keep all data updated regularly in systems used for metrics and Key Performance Indicators purposes.

Additional Tasks:

• Organize and manage time (e.g. Prepare sufficiently detailed handoff before taking time off, develop contract plans and structure work priorities / deliverables).
• Adhere to internal / external expectations and deadlines.
• Map client bid-grids with support as needed.
• Able to negotiate client discussions with   or without support depending on complexity of the contract.

Knowledge and Experience:

• Solid knowledge of proposals and contract management principles, contractual terms, pricing structures, pricing tools and data systems (e.g. Salesforce).
• Higher level knowledge of relevant software (Windows, Word, Excel, Outlook, Databases).
• At least three years of previous experience in project support, finance, contracting, or proposals in a CRO or similar environment. Previous experience in proposal development is a plus. Multinational and multicultural companies experience is also a plus.

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science, Business, Languages or equivalent combination of education and experience. MBA preferred.