As an ISO 9001 certified, organisation PHARMExcel prides itself in delivering high quality and results driven clinical services. Our broad portfolio ranges from non -interventional, CTIMP, ATMP, rare disease and medical devices investigations. You will be working with the best of the best including key opinion leaders, world class academics and entrepreneurs across the biotech and medtech sectors.
About the role
The Contracts & Proposals Manager is a newly created role designed to introduce structure, governance, and scalability to PHARMExcel’s proposal and contracting activities. The role will lead the development and coordination of proposals, budgets, and contracts while establishing clear processes and operational flows that support business growth and delivery excellence.
Acting as a central point of coordination between Business Development, Clinical Operations, and Finance, the role ensures that proposals and contracts are commercially robust, operationally deliverable, and aligned with PHARMExcel’s strategic objectives.
You will be part of a supportive and welcoming team that is all about helping each other grow. We are looking for someone who will bring that same positive, collaborative spirit to the role.
Key responsibilities
Proposals management:
- Lead the preparation and coordination of high-quality, customised proposals in response to client RFPs.
- Prepare, write, and edit bid responses, tailoring content to client needs.
- Ensure proposals reflect realistic scope, timelines, deliverables, and operational capability.
- Maintain proposal documentation and reporting metrics, including win/loss analysis to inform future strategy.
- Support Business Development in preparing for bid defences and client discussions
- Liaise with subject matter experts across the business to gather accurate input for proposals.
Contracts management:
- Draft, review, negotiate, and finalise client and vendor agreements including CDAs, MSAs, Work Orders/PSAs, and Clinical Trial Agreements.
- Ensure contracts align with agreed scope, pricing, and operational delivery plans.
- Balance commercial objectives with risk management, escalating issues where appropriate.
- Maintain a central contracts repository with clear version control and audit readiness.
- Monitor key contractual milestones and amendments to support smooth project initiation and delivery.
Cross-functional & client engagement:
- Work closely with Business Development to ensure smooth transition from opportunity identification through to contracted project start.
- Collaborate with Clinical Operations to ensure proposals are operationally feasible and aligned with delivery models.
- Collaborate with Finance to ensure pricing accuracy, margin visibility, and commercial sustainability.
- Act as a central communication point during the proposal and contracting phase, ensuring clarity for both internal teams and clients
About you
We are looking for someone who is commercially astute, meticulously organised and highly collaborative-with a strong desire to directly impact business growth and success.
You will bring:
- 3+ years’ experience in proposals and/or contracts management within a CRO, pharmaceutical, biotech, or clinical research environment.
- Strong understanding of clinical trial delivery and commercial considerations within a CRO setting.
- Experience developing or improving business processes and cross-functional workflows.
- Strong financial awareness, including budget development and margin considerations.
- Excellent organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple concurrent proposals.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across departments and with clients
Must have:
- Natural project management
- Energy and passion
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- AI literate-comfortable with AI tools/excel
- Ability to work independently and cross-functionally
Nice to have:
- Sense of humour and team spirit
- Not afraid to roll up sleeves and take ownership
- Curiosity and a forward-looking mindset
What you will receive:
- Competitive salary & company bonus (performance based)
- Private medical insurance & paid professional memberships
- Generous annual leave + your birthday off
- Remote & flexible working
- Career growth and training & development
- Family-friendly policies
- 24/7 confidential Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
- Wellbeing, ESG, and charity initiatives
- Supportive and collaborative work culture
Why PHARMExcel?
We are a growing CRO that values integrity, teamwork, and passion. You will be part of a company that invests in its people and provides opportunities to make a real difference in the world of clinical research.
Here, your voice is heard. Your work is valued. And your growth is supported.
We are based in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, within easy reach of a mainline train station from Kings Cross and also the A1 motorway.
Equal opportunity statement
PHARMExcel is an equal opportunities employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of gender, sexual orientation, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, gender reassignment, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability or age. Our ethos is to respect and value people’s differences, and to help everyone achieve and be their best at work as well as in their personal lives so that they feel proud of the part they play in our success. We believe that all decisions about people at work should be based on the individual’s abilities, skills, performance and behaviour and our business requirements. PHARMExcel operates a zero-tolerance policy to any form of discrimination, abuse or harassment.
Ready to make a difference?
Apply today and be part of something exceptional at PHARMExcel!
Please note the closing dates for applications is 3rd March, applications received after this date may not be accepted.
For further information contact: Jenny Barnett, HR Consultant, [email protected]