Sr Manager, Vendor Outsourcing

Job description

At Gilead, we’re creating a healthier world for all people. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled diseases such as HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19 and cancer – working relentlessly to develop therapies that help improve lives and to ensure access to these therapies across the globe. We continue to fight against the world’s biggest health challenges, and our mission requires collaboration, determination and a relentless drive to make a difference. Every member of Gilead’s team plays a critical role in the discovery and development of life-changing scientific innovations. Our employees are our greatest asset as we work to achieve our bold ambitions, and we’re looking for the next wave of passionate and ambitious people ready to make a direct impact. We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfill their aspirations. Join Gilead and help create possible, together. Job Description Gilead Sciences is seeking an accomplished Senior Manager, CRO Sourcing—Phase 1b–3 Clinical Trial Management, within Development Operations, Vendor Outsourcing. This position will lead study-level sourcing for complex clinical trial management services across multiple therapeutic areas, including Virology, Oncology, Inflammation, and Cell Therapy. The Senior Manager will develop and lead requests for information and proposals, evaluate and select vendors, and present well-supported recommendations to cross-functional stakeholders in accordance with the established CRO sourcing strategy. The role is accountable for the full contracting lifecycle, including the negotiation and management of work orders, amendments, change orders, and change notifications. Success in this position requires formal contract and category management training or equivalent demonstrated experience, substantial clinical outsourcing expertise, sound commercial judgment, and a highly collaborative approach to working with Clinical Operations, Legal, Finance, Quality, Compliance, and external vendors. Job Description The principal responsibilities and qualifications for this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Leadership and Management Lead assigned study contracting activities and serve as the category subject-matter expert for internal stakeholders. Listen and critically evaluate business requirements as provided by internal stakeholders. Develop, implement, and maintain sourcing and contracting strategies that address business requirements and align with stakeholder priorities. Lead and facilitate study-specific sourcing decisions by balancing operational requirements, quality, timelines, risk, and total cost. Provide category and contracting leadership to cross-functional stakeholders through influence, expertise, and sound judgment, without reliance on direct reporting relationships. Delivery Excellence Lead study-level sourcing and contracting activities from requirements definition through request development, bid analysis, vendor due diligence, bid defense, selection recommendation, and award. Partner with study teams to translate protocol and operational requirements into clearly defined scopes of work, assumptions, deliverables, timelines, service levels, and pricing models. Manage and own the end-to-end contracting process for assigned studies, ensuring timely execution, policy compliance, and alignment between commercial terms and operational scope. Negotiate and administer work orders, amendments, change orders, and change notifications. Apply external benchmarks, cost-driver analyses, and disciplined negotiation strategies to improve value, pricing consistency, and commercial transparency. Maintain complete sourcing and contracting documentation, including decision records, approvals, and audit-ready files, in accordance with applicable policies and procedures. Monitor vendor performance, commercial commitments, and utilization; identify emerging risks and opportunities; and coordinate appropriate corrective actions. Evaluate the business need, scope, and financial impact of proposed contract changes and negotiate associated costs and terms. Document lessons learned from completed sourcing events and finalized contracts to promote continuous improvement in future sourcing and contracting cycles. Strategic Thinking Synthesize complex scientific, operational, financial, and market information to develop clear, actionable recommendations. Incorporate relevant external market developments, vendor capabilities, and innovation into sourcing and contracting strategies. Influence vendor-selection decisions through a rigorous, transparent, and data-driven approach. Innovation Demonstrate strong technology acumen and proficiency in the use of analytical tools, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and emerging digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency, strengthen decision-making, and support continuous improvement. Identify, develop, and implement leading practices in vendor selection, cost containment, category management, contracting, and negotiation. Leverage external benchmarks, industry practices, prior experience, and technology to advance process and performance improvements. Problem Solving Assume accountability for issues from initial identification through successful resolution, validating recommendations for feasibility and soundness. Triage study-level vendor management issues and escalate matters presenting significant operational, financial, quality, or compliance risk. Identify trends in operational and systemic issues and develop sustainable solutions that remove barriers during study start-up and execution. Anticipate potential problems and risks and present practical mitigation strategies and resolution options. Influence and Partnership Establish productive partnerships with Clinical Operations, study teams, Legal, Finance, Procurement, Compliance, Quality, and other stakeholders to advance sourcing and contracting objectives. Facilitate collaborative negotiations that appropriately integrate legal, operational, financial, quality, and regulatory considerations. Maintain effective vendor relationships while representing Gilead’s interests, resolving complex contractual matters, and escalating material risks appropriately. Influence stakeholders and senior leaders through clear analysis, transparent decision criteria, and well-supported recommendations. Decision Making Create business value by translating requirements into effective sourcing solutions, contractual terms, and process improvements. Exercise sound judgment in critical decisions concerning clinical vendor agreement negotiations, exceptions, and escalations. Integrate information across functions and recommend appropriate global development vendors to senior leadership for endorsement. Use probing questions to clarify business needs and recommend balanced solutions, including negotiating timelines while maintaining required standards. Resolve vendor project-management and scoping issues by identifying and addressing deviations from agreed requirements and established procedures. Identify recurring operational and systemic issues, assess their frequency and impact, and escalate them to the appropriate level. Communication Communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all organizational levels, including senior leaders. Provide training and guidance to internal stakeholders, as appropriate, on contract budgeting, development, negotiation, and administration. Present complex matters in a clear, concise, and audience-appropriate manner. Basic Qualifications: High School degree and 12 years of experience OR Bachelor's Degree and Eight Years' Experience OR Masters' Degree and