Senior Manager, Clinical Trials Contracting

Job Description

The Senior Manager, Clinical Trials Contracting is responsible for leading all contracting activities related to clinical trials and research collaborations involving Haystack MRD by Quest Diagnostics. This role serves as the primary liaison with external partners throughout the contracting process and works cross-functionally with Medical Affairs, Legal, Laboratory Operations, Regulatory, and Finance teams to ensure contracting activities align with scientific objectives, regulatory requirements, and corporate strategy.  The ideal candidate combines deep experience in clinical research contracting with exceptional communication skills and a highly organized, detail-oriented approach to driving timely, compliant, and efficient contract execution.

This is a Remote opportunity. Preference will be given to someone with diagnostics or biopharma background. 

Responsibilities:

• Lead the drafting, negotiation, and execution of a variety of contracts, including research collaboration agreements, materials transfer agreements, service contracts, pricing proposals, and statements of work. (SOW)
• Partner cross-functionally with Medical Affairs, Legal, Finance, Laboratory Operations, and Regulatory teams to ensure contracts align with clinical development strategy, scientific goals, financial targets, corporate policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for all contract and budget related activities with external collaborators.
• Oversee the end-to-end contracting process, holding both internal and external stakeholders accountable to minimize delays.
• Develop and maintain contract templates and workflow optimizations for consistency and efficiency.
• Facilitate internal and external meetings as needed to align on contract terms, project scope, budget assumptions, and partnership structures.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners, customers, and collaborators to promote efficient negotiations and long-term partnerships.
• Ensure all necessary corporate approvals and authorizations are obtained and documented prior to contract execution.
• Implement and manage systems for tracking contract status, key milestones, amendments, and financial commitments.
• Maintain accurate records of executed contracts and associated documentation, ensuring transparency, audit readiness, and version control.
• Monitor ongoing contractual obligations and proactively manage renewals, amendments, and terminations as needed.
• Identify and address potential contracting bottlenecks, risks, or conflicts early, driving resolution through collaboration and creative problem-solving.

Qualifications:

Required Work Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in contract management and negotiation, with at least 3 years focused on clinical trial agreements or clinical research collaborations.
• Draft project-specific budgets and service quotes by interpreting clinical protocols and customer requirements, ensuring accurate scope definition, aligned pricing, and deliverables that support scientific and financial objectives.

Preferred Work Experience: 

• 5+ years' experience working in or with diagnostics, biopharma, clinical research organizations, or academic research institutions.

Knowledge: 

• Strong understanding of clinical study protocols and the ability to translate scientific and operational requirements into contractual terms, budgets, and deliverables.
• Deep familiarity with standard contract terms and legal concepts critical to clinical research, including IP rights, data ownership, confidentiality, publication rights, and compliance with applicable regulations.

Skills: 

• Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills, with the ability to resolve conflicts and build alignment among diverse stakeholders.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage complex workflows and competing priorities with minimal oversight.

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