Therapeutic Area Head, Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care

Syneos Health® is a leading fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities. Every day we perform better because of how we work together, as one team, each the best at what we do. We bring a wide range of talented experts together across a wide range of business‑critical services that support our business.

Every role within Corporate is vital to furthering our vision of Shortening the Distance from Lab to Life®. Discover what our 29,000 employees, across 110 countries already know.

We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program. We are committed to our Total Self culture – where you can authentically be yourself. Our Total Self culture is what unites us globally, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people. We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work for. Why? Because when we bring together diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives – we’re able to create a place where everyone feels like they belong.

Job Responsibilities

• The Senior Vice President (SVP), Clinical Development – Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care provides strategic, scientific, and operational leadership across global clinical development programs within the Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care (CMIC) therapeutic areas.
• This executive role is responsible for ensuring the successful delivery of complex, high‑value studies across all phases, driving operational excellence, financial performance, innovation, and client satisfaction.
• As a senior member of the Global Project Management leadership team, this individual shapes the organization’s therapeutic delivery strategy, ensures scientific and operational rigor, and fosters high‑impact partnerships with clients and internal stakeholders.
• The SVP, CMIC acts as a trusted advisor and scientific authority within Cardiology, Metabolic Disorders, Critical Care, and related domains—bringing both credibility and vision to drive Syneos Health’s position as a market leader in these therapeutic areas.

Key Responsibilities

• Directly influences Syneos Health’s success in the Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care therapeutic areas by ensuring delivery excellence, strengthening client partnerships, and driving innovation across clinical operations.
• Serves as both a scientific authority and operational leader, shaping the future of clinical delivery and reinforcing Syneos Health’s reputation for excellence and leadership in the global CRO landscape.
• Develop and execute the strategic vision for Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care delivery, aligning clinical execution with corporate goals and client expectations.
• Anticipate emerging trends and therapeutic innovations to position Syneos Health as the preferred partner in these therapeutic areas.
• Drive organizational strategy for operational excellence, scalability, and delivery modernization.
• Collaborate closely with senior leaders to align project delivery with enterprise objectives and strategic growth priorities.
• Maintain fluency in current and emerging clinical standards across cardiovascular, metabolic, and intensive care indications.
• Act as a recognized thought leader—engaging in high‑level discussions with client C‑suites, regulatory stakeholders, and industry influencers.
• Contribute to scientific and clinical development discussions, leveraging evidence‑based insights to shape client strategies and partnerships.
• Represent the company in scientific and industry forums to enhance visibility and credibility.
• Provide executive oversight of all Cardio Metabolic and Intensive Care projects from early to late development phases.
• Ensure operational excellence, delivery performance, and proactive risk mitigation across the portfolio.
• Establish and monitor governance frameworks for performance tracking, escalation management, and continuous improvement.
• Partner cross‑functionally with operational, scientific, and quality leaders to drive consistency and innovation in project delivery.
• Serve as the senior executive liaison for key strategic clients within the CMIC portfolio.
• Partner with BD and functional teams to expand client relationships and identify growth opportunities.
• Support high‑stakes client engagements, including bid defenses, RFIs, and strategic presentations; coach senior leaders to do the same.
• Cultivate long‑term partnerships by demonstrating deep therapeutic expertise, strategic insight, and delivery excellence.
• Maintain accountability for the financial health and performance of the CMIC therapeutic area.
• Drive forecasting accuracy, portfolio profitability, and efficient resource utilization.
• Collaborate with finance and operations leaders to ensure sustainable cost management and growth.
• Champion data‑driven decision making using operational analytics and performance metrics.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high‑performing team of global leaders (VP and below) within the CMIC therapeutic area.
• Build a culture of collaboration, inclusion, empowerment, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with HR and organizational leadership to strengthen succession pipelines and develop next‑generation leaders.
• Ensure compliance with ICH/GCP, regulatory standards, and internal quality systems.
• Collaborate with quality leadership to drive inspection readiness and consistency across global operations.
• Lead process improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, scalability, and client satisfaction.
• Model a culture of quality and operational integrity across all delivery teams.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree (MS, PharmD, MD, or equivalent) in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related scientific discipline required; Ph.D. preferred but not required.
• Minimum of 15+ years of experience in clinical research, project management, or clinical operations within CRO, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology environments.
• Extensive experience leading complex clinical development programs in cardiology, metabolic disorders, or intensive care indications.
• Proven ability to manage large, global portfolios and lead multi‑layered leadership teams.
• Strong business acumen and financial management experience (budgeting, forecasting, P&L ownership).
• Deep understanding of drug development processes, GCP/ICH guidelines, and global regulatory expectations.
• Exceptional executive presence with demonstrated ability to influence and engage at C‑suite and senior client levels.
• Strategic thinker with a track record of driving innovation, transformation, and operational excellence.
• Ability to travel as required (approximately 30–35%).

Salary Range

$245,600.00 – $454,300.00 The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Benefits

The benefits for this position may include a company car or car allowance, health benefits to include medical, dental and vision; company match 401k; eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan; eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and individual performance; and flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time. Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements.

Get to know Syneos Health

Over the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all novel FDA approved drugs, 95% of EMA authorized products and over 200 studies across 73,000 sites and 675,000+ trial patients. No matter what your role is, you’ll take the initiative and challenge the status‑quo with us in a highly competitive and ever‑changing environment.

Learn more about Syneos Health at http://www.syneoshealth.com.

Additional Information

Tasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive. The Company, at its sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities. Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents may differ from those listed in the Job Description. The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above. Further, nothing contained herein should be construed to create an employment contract. Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs are expressed in brief terms. Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees. The Company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the provision of reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, to assist employees or applicants to perform the essential functions of the job.