Director, Proposal Management in Leeds

Director, Proposal Management – Full Service Clinical Development

We are seeking an experienced Director, Proposal Management to lead our global full-service clinical proposals and budgets function across Phase I-IV clinical development.

This is a highly visible leadership role responsible for setting the strategic direction of the function, driving operational excellence, and ensuring a consistent, high-quality approach to proposal and budget development across a global organisation.

The successful candidate will work in close partnership with Sales, Commercial, and Operational Leadership to support business growth, optimise proposal delivery, and strengthen collaboration across the full-service clinical development business.

They will champion process standardisation, performance metrics, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives, while ensuring effective resource planning, business continuity, and alignment across regions and therapeutic areas.

As a leader of a global team of proposal and budget professionals, the Director will be responsible for developing talent, fostering a high-performance culture, and creating an environment that enables teams to deliver exceptional client-focused solutions.

They will play a key role in influencing senior stakeholders, driving organisational change, and identifying opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, and customer experience throughout the proposal lifecycle.

We are looking for a proven proposal management leader with significant CRO or pharmaceutical industry experience and deep expertise in clinical proposals, budgets, and commercial strategy.

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading global teams, partnering effectively across commercial and operational functions, and delivering transformational initiatives that enhance business performance, customer satisfaction, and competitive growth.

• Summary of Responsibilities
• Strategic

Vision: Creates, initiates, and is accountable for the strategic vision for the Proposal Management department including key stakeholders within or external to Enterprise Client Solutions.

Establishes current and future departmental organizational structure in support of and in alignment with the larger commercial organization including development, retention, and succession planning for managers and employees.

Provides guidance and oversight for process improvement opportunities, applies analytical tools to process issues, and is accountable for team process improvements, removing obstacles through influence when needed.

Advocate, communicate, and support the team across the enterprise to achieve a positive department reputation as well as support an effective and efficient working environment.

Supports business growth by generating and leading innovative processes, strategic thinking, setting effective priorities, promoting a culture of continuous improvement, and increased internal and external customer satisfaction, and identifying potential efficiencies.

• Leadership
• Accountable for the development of a department training strategy (including new hires as well as continuous education).

Supports team leaders and managers in the effective execution of their leadership and management responsibilities, including coaching and development (could include performance evaluation activities, career development for staff, training, etc.).

Define global reporting requirements around performance metrics with support of department head and in collaboration with peers.

Ensures effective business continuity (i. e., problem-solving against market concerns, resourcing issues, etc.).

Actively builds and maintains relationships with key stakeholders across the Business Unit (BU) and enterprise, acting as principal BU point-of-contact (POC) for other Commercial leaders, Operational leadership, and Executive Management (i. e., VP, GM, President).

Provides solution-oriented approaches to address departmental issues.

Reviews, analyzes, and interprets departmental/commercial reports.

• Management
• Addresses departmental issues/team performance with a proactive, strategic approach and an appropriate sense of urgency.

Provides guidance and oversight for development and consistent implementation of global policies, procedures, and SOPs (developing and implementing when necessary).

Performs timely and accurate data entry into departmental and/or corporate databases/systems as required.

Accountable for timely and accurate data entry by team.

Accountable for timely delivery of assigned opportunities across team.

Executes defined reporting requirements around performance metrics, ensuring departmental productivity targets are met.

Provides guidance and support to team when analyzing and resolving issues surrounding new/complex enquiries.

Directs/facilitates negotiations with internal clients in partnership with Senior Management, Sales, etc.

Actively develops and manages department budget, with support of department head as needed.

Acts as back-up to departmental head, as required.

Completes other appropriate duties, as assigned by the manager, which require similar skills in accordance with business needs and common sense.

Supports a global team based in one or more regions.

All other duties as needed or assigned.

People Responsibilities

1-10 Direct Reports (BU dependent), 1-150 Indirect Reports (BU dependent).

Qualifications (Minimum Required)

Bachelor’s degree in a scientific, business, or related field (or equivalent work experience).

Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.

Experience (Minimum Required)

• Extensive experience within in a CRO or pharmaceutical environment along with supervisory experience.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, multi-task, prioritize, and lead a team.
• Track record of building successful teams.
• Proven track record in effective operations and/or commercial department management and leadership.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with clients and senior management.
• Ability to build relationships in support of successful outcomes.
• Ability to communicate appropriately and effectively with internal stakeholders, clients, and executive management.
• Ability to negotiate at all levels of an organization, with internal and external clients, towards a win-win solution.
• Demonstrated strength in conflict resolution.
• Shown focus on continuous improvement.
• Demonstrated positive approach to change management, with proven competency at being a supportive and effective change agent.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of employee data and information during interaction with staff at all levels.
• Physical Demands/Work Environment
• Flexibility to participate in meetings across various time zones outside core working hours.
• Occasionally working extended hours in order to adhere to client deliverable timelines.
• Travel Required 30-40% of time, with up to 40% requiring an overnight stay.
• Travel is primarily to Training meetings, other Fortrea offices, client meetings, commercial meetings.
• Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.

At Fortrea, we're all about turning the “impossible” into "I'm possible." Together, we break barriers to deliver exceptional service to our patients, fueled by a shared commitment to teamwork and excellence.

Regardless of your role, we're all family, working together to achieve extraordinary results.

At Fortrea, your career isn't just a job – it's a journey of making the exceptional possible, every day.

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