Executive Director, Business Operations Management

Syneos Health

Executive Director of Operations Management overseeing clinical operations for a leading life sciences organization. Engaging in strategic planning and ensuring compliance with FDA regulations.

Posted 5/29/2026full-timeRemote • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Participates in both short and long-term planning for all aspects of the Company’s operations and growth.
Contributes operational input to other departments as appropriate, including developing and distributing appropriate reports to executive management.
Manages the forecasting, planning and logistics for clinical operations activities, including the direction and scheduling of clinical operations resource allocations, ensuring performance and quality standards are met.
Reviews performance of the Company’s activities and makes recommendations for improvement in quality/efficiency.
Periodically, conducts site evaluations annually.
Reviews and provides input on study proposals, while participating in the sales and marketing function as it relates to the Company’s clinical operations activities.
Participates as a primary source of operations information in the budgeting process for clinical studies and the department.
Liaison and facilitator between the Company’s operation’s departments and clinical business units for project related tasks and/or issues.
Plans and negotiates resources with line management of functional areas.
Serves as a Project Advisor on project teams by providing input regarding the operational and project management aspects of the projects.
May develop and refine project management processes within the Company, using established process modeling techniques.
Leads teams of subject matter experts to develop and review SOPs and WIs related to any area concerning project management to support new or existing project management processes.
May work with the Project Manager on the study start up and financial management tasks of a project to ensure success of the overall project.
Implements enterprise wide project management systems and tools.
Evaluates project progress, while producing and distributing resource status reports as well as functional area plans, to appropriate members of executive and senior management.
Ensures thorough clinical study feasibility and appropriate distribution of studies to consortium sites.
Develops, collects, and analyzes project metrics, while holding project reviews with operational staff focusing on budget, schedule and risk analysis.
Responsible for the development of clinical research capabilities within the Company’s member sites as performed through leadership and management of field operations activities as required.
Implements global project management systems and processes to increase efficiency.
Plans for the efficient allocation of resources within operations.
Ensures compliance with Good Clinical Practices sponsor contracts as well as all Food and Drug Administration and International Conference on Harmonization requirements.
Oversees satisfactory conduct of all clinical research studies.
Develops and implements policies, procedures and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for clinical operations activities, as well as applicable training programs for staff and network sites.
Interacts with senior management of pharmaceutical and biotechnology sponsors on operational issues.
Within the department, approves courses of action on all management / human resources’ matters, including salary administration; employment hires, transfers, terminations; performance appraisals and professional development; job description preparation, and employee counseling.
Works with and advises staff on administrative policies and procedures, technical problems, priorities and methods.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
Moderate travel may be required (up to 50%).
Represents the Company at professional meetings or seminars.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Requires BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; and extensive executive and/or senior management experience preferably in a worldwide clinical research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology company.
MBA; or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
Requires comprehensive management skills and experience, including but not limited to short and long-term planning, evaluation, directing and motivating staff, marketing and financial management.
Thorough knowledge of FDA regulations, drug development, and clinical project management procedures is necessary.
Additionally experience developing and setting corporate plans and objectives that support the organization’s worldwide drug development processes, while making critical decisions related to changing the direction of the business is essential.
Must have a record of engaging diverse interests for the common good; adept at marketing and able to communicate and work with a diverse group of individuals to accomplish common goals.
Membership and/or affiliations with applicable professional organizations related to the Company’s business are highly preferred.
Highly effective strategic planning, communication, written, presentation and analytical skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and voicemail is required.
Experience working in a matrix team environment is preferred.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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 building an inclusive culture – where you can authentically be yourself.

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Hard Skills & Tools

clinical project managementresource allocationbudgetingrisk analysisprocess modelingSOP developmentclinical research capabilitiesperformance evaluationcompliance with Good Clinical PracticesFDA regulations

Soft Skills

strategic planningcommunicationleadershipmotivating staffanalytical skillspresentation skillsteam collaborationproblem-solvinginterpersonal skillsdecision-making

Certifications

BA/BS degreeMBAcertifications in project managementclinical research certificationsFDA compliance trainingGood Clinical Practices certificationleadership training certificationsfinancial management certificationsmarketing certificationsaffiliations with professional organizations