Proposal and Contracts Manager

Job Description

The Proposals and Contracts Manager manages RFPs, RFQs and study quotations from receipt to submission. The role works alongside Business Development, operations and product so that every proposal accurately reflects the services and resources involved. It also covers contracts, change orders, bid defence and the handover of awarded studies to operational teams.A significant part of the role involves developing detailed study quotations. The postholder will become a knowledgeable user of Perspectum's budget templates and rate card, and will hold a thorough understanding of Perspectum's capabilities, so that study scope, assumptions and costs are accurately reflected in every quotation. The role would suit someone with two to five years of experience in clinical research proposals and study costing, preferably within an imaging CRO or a CRO.

Proposals and quotations management

• Own assigned RFPs, RFQs and study quotations from receipt to final submission.
• Review study documentation to identify requirements, scope and pricing assumptions.
• Develop a thorough understanding of Perspectum's services and capabilities to support bid and no-bid decisions.
• Establish proposal, pricing, review and approval timelines, and escalate delivery risks when required.
• Coordinate internal stakeholders and develop clear, sponsor-focused proposal content.
• Prepare accurate quotations using Perspectum's templates, rate card, budget calculator and approved pricing assumptions.
• Liaise with third-party vendors to obtain and incorporate costs where required.
• Lead internal and external budget justification meetings and respond to sponsor and CRO partner questions.
• Support CRO partner discussions to align scope, responsibilities, budgets and submission timelines.
• Support bid defense preparation and meetings, including responses to questions about scope, pricing and assumptions.
• Support Account Managers with the handover of awarded studies to delivery teams.
• Support the Quality Assurance team with RFIs.

Change orders and contracts

• Support the preparation, review and coordination of contracts and change orders.
• Assess the operational, financial and contractual impact of scope changes.
• Prepare revised budgets and cost justifications for change orders.
• Coordinate reviews and approvals, ensuring scope, pricing and assumptions are aligned.
• Coordinate external communication to complete change orders and contracts.
• Work closely with Legal and Finance to draft and review contractual and commercial terms.

Revenue and margin

• Work with the finance business partner to monitor the margin carried on quoted and awarded studies, and report variance against target.
• Identify opportunities to improve revenue and margin through pricing assumptions, scope definition and resourcing, and propose rate card changes where the evidence supports them.
• Track pricing outcomes across submissions, including discounting and win rate by study type, and apply the findings to future quotations.

Person Specification

Essential

• Two to five years of relevant experience within a CRO, imaging CRO, pharmaceutical, biotechnology or medical device organisation.
• Experience developing proposals, study quotations and contracts.
• Good knowledge of clinical trial design, phases and operational delivery.
• Strong numerical skills and confidence using Microsoft Excel.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Confidence working cross-functionally with stakeholders at different levels.
• Strong attention to detail and experience maintaining accurate CRM records.

Desirable

• Previous experience within an imaging CRO.
• Experience supporting imaging, digital pathology or endoscopy clinical studies.
• Familiarity with GCP and sponsor or CRO procurement portals.
• Experience working with global pharmaceutical sponsors and CRO partners.
• Experience supporting contracts, amendments or change orders.