Contract Specialist

Accountabilities

• Review and analyze RFP documentation, including study protocols and project requirements, and coordinate the involvement of appropriate subject matter experts.
• Coordinate proposal preparation across strategic and operational functions, including budgets, assumptions, documentation, and required approvals.
• Manage the RFP lifecycle from receipt through submission, identifying potential barriers, assessing risks, and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Develop, revise, and validate proposal budgets based on client specifications, communications, internal assumptions, and SME input.
• Obtain and incorporate third-party quotations where required and ensure proposal information is accurate and complete.
• Maintain proposal documentation, files, systems, metrics, and KPI data in accordance with established processes.
• Create and finalize budgets and contract documents in line with internal SOPs, guidance, and work instructions.
• Amend project budgets in collaboration with project and functional teams, ensuring all relevant information and cost changes are accurately reflected.
• Develop contract strategies and plans to support timely delivery, negotiation, and client signature.
• Prepare high-quality client deliverables and ensure pricing rationale and supporting documentation are clearly presented.
• Participate in and facilitate internal and client meetings, supporting negotiations around costs, contractual terms, and delivery timelines.
• Draft contract documentation using established templates and coordinate with relevant internal functions as necessary.
• Identify contractual matters requiring input from finance, tax, legal, or other stakeholders and ensure appropriate escalation and resolution.
• Organize workloads, proposal and contract plans, priorities, handoffs, and deliverables to consistently meet internal and client deadlines.
• Map client bid grids and contribute to continuous improvements in proposal and contracting processes.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Business, Languages, or a related discipline, or an equivalent combination of education and experience; an MBA is preferred.
• Around 2+ years of experience in project support, finance, contracting, proposals, or a related function, preferably within a clinical research organization or similar environment.
• Previous experience in proposal development, contract management, pricing, or commercial operations is advantageous.
• Working knowledge of proposal and contract management principles, contractual terms, pricing structures, pricing tools, and relevant data systems such as Salesforce.
• Understanding of clinical study operations and the different operational requirements involved in conducting studies across international regions.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines simultaneously.
• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to review complex information while maintaining accuracy across budgets, contracts, and client deliverables.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, with good judgment regarding when to escalate complex or sensitive issues.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills, with confidence interacting with internal teams and external clients at different organizational levels.
• Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in a matrixed, multicultural, and geographically distributed environment.
• Ability to lead or facilitate internal and client meetings and confidently contribute to commercial discussions.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, and databases; familiarity with CRM and pricing systems is beneficial.
• Ability to work independently from home and remain productive in a remote environment.
• Flexibility to work irregular or extended hours when required to meet critical client or proposal deadlines.
• A proactive, positive, and solutions-oriented approach, combined with a strong sense of urgency and accountability.

Benefits

• Full-time remote opportunity available across multiple locations in India, subject to role requirements.
• Opportunity to work on international proposals and contracts within the clinical research and life sciences sector.
• Exposure to global clients and multidisciplinary teams across different regions and functions.
• Opportunity to develop expertise in proposal management, contracting, pricing, and commercial operations.
• Collaborative and multicultural working environment.
• Opportunities to build experience across clinical development and related business operations.
• Flexible work-from-home setup, subject to business and role requirements.
• Professional growth opportunities through exposure to complex projects, clients, and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Potential MBA and professional-development value through hands-on experience in a global clinical research environment.