Senior Operational Bidding Specialist

Work Schedule

Environmental Conditions

Job Description

The Senior Operational Bidding Specialist plays a critical role in the preparation and delivery of competitive, high-quality operational bids and proposals for clinical research opportunities. You will lead the development of complex operational budgets and proposal content, partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure solutions are strategically aligned with client requirements, operational capabilities, and business objectives.

This position requires a strong understanding of clinical trial operations, proposal development, and budgeting, along with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the development of operational bids and proposals for complex clinical trial opportunities from RFP receipt through final submission.
• Evaluate Requests for Proposal (RFPs) and participate in bid strategy discussions to determine the most effective and competitive operational approach.
• Review client requirements, identify discrepancies or missing information, and escalate issues as appropriate.
• Collaborate closely with Business Development, Contracts, Proposals, Operations, and functional subject matter experts to develop operational strategies that meet client needs while supporting business goals.
• Consult with internal stakeholders to determine labor requirements, develop solutions for non-standard activities, validate operational assumptions, and ensure compliance with client-specific bidding standards.
• Customize proposal language to accurately reflect study requirements, assumptions, and operational strategy while ensuring alignment with budgets.
• Review client pricing grids to verify mapping accuracy, unit definitions, and consistency across proposal documentation.
• Present and defend operational budgets and assumptions during internal bid review meetings with senior leadership.
• Support Business Development during client presentations and bid defense meetings.
• Perform quality control reviews of proposals and oversee the finalization of operational bid documentation.
• Build effective working relationships with clients and internal stakeholders to clarify requirements and service expectations.
• Mentor and train new team members, providing guidance on proposal development processes, budgeting methodologies, and best practices.
• Identify opportunities to improve bidding processes, tools, and operational efficiencies.

Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in clinical trial operational bidding, proposal development, budgeting, clinical operations, or a related CRO/pharmaceutical environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex operational bids and developing strategic proposal solutions.
• Experience collaborating across global, cross-functional teams is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Advanced knowledge of clinical trial proposal development and operational bidding processes.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial budgeting methodologies, unitized pricing grids, unit costs, and cost drivers.
• Knowledge of the drug development process, FDA regulations, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).
• Strong financial and analytical skills with experience developing and reviewing complex budgets.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple competing deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to make informed operational and budgeting decisions using sound judgment and experience.
• Strong problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and adapt to changing priorities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Power Platforms, including Power BI, Power Automate and Power Apps, is preferred.
• Promote a culture of personal responsibility/accountability and open communications.
• Demonstrates and promotes the company vision, values and competencies.
• The ability to identify process and control gaps and champion improvement initiatives through Practical-Process-Improvement.
• Excellent command of the English language, including business writing and grammar.

What You'll Bring

• A strategic and customer-focused mindset.
• Strong collaboration and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to influence cross-functional teams and drive alignment.
• A commitment to delivering high-quality, accurate, and competitive operational bids.
• A continuous improvement mindset with a focus on enhancing efficiency and proposal quality

Travel requirements
• This role does not require travel