Associate Director, Strategic Planning and Operations / Consultant

Description:

• Support the Oncology Chief of Staff in driving culture, communications, and change-management initiatives.

• Partner with the Oncology Chief of Staff to track external collaborations, maintain stakeholder alignment, and ensure timely, clear communications.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for clinical protocols and scientific discussions with external partners.

• Escalate risks, issues, and decisions to the Chief of Staff and functional VP in a timely manner.

• Identify process gaps and improvement opportunities across external collaborations.

• Coordinate cross-functional assessments of external assets and available scientific information, including preclinical data and investigator brochures, to support preliminary development planning.

• Manage contracts and external engagements to implement TA partnering recommendations.

• Maintain the external-collaboration project tracking tool and provide regular updates to the Chief of Staff and VP.

• Support late-stage Oncology Clinical Development governance activities.

• Coordinate Oncology Clinical Development protocol review meetings in partnership with Disease Area Heads and Medical/Scientific Directors.

• Maintain trackers and databases for protocol review meetings, decisions, and follow-up actions.

• Capture meeting notes, decisions, and action items; communicate follow-ups clearly to cross-functional partners.

• Drive execution of Oncology Clinical Development initiatives that improve operational efficiency, strengthen culture, and enhance decision-making.

• Work with cross-functional partners to advance Oncology strategic priorities and pipeline goals.

Qualifications:

• BS, MS in scientific field

• 10+ years experience in pharma industry preferably clinical development

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information, tailor messages for diverse audiences, and support executive-level communications.

• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical capabilities, including experience using automation and AI-driven tools to improve efficiency, reporting, and decision-making.

• Experience & Knowledge: Proven ability to lead, manage, and motivate teams in a complex matrix environment; broad understanding of the pharmaceutical industry; and project management experience supporting global programs.

• Collaboration & Leadership: Strong collaboration, interpersonal, and organizational skills, with the ability to present ideas clearly and document complex medical, clinical, and operational concepts.

• Problem Solving: Demonstrated ability to anticipate and resolve issues, exercise sound judgment, and evaluate clinical development strategies with a balanced, practical perspective.

• Regulatory & Clinical Knowledge: Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), FDA regulations, and international regulatory requirements and guidelines; experience supporting complex global clinical trials and understanding of drug commercialization and business practices.

• Strong communication and change management skills

• Pharma experience in operations and project management

• Analytics skills and operational excellence background

Benefits:

Healthcare Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents healthcare coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.

Dental Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees and their dependents a dental plan through MetLife. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

Vision Insurance: Synectics offers eligible employees vision insurance through VSP. Eligibility begins on the 1st day of the calendar month following 60 days of continuous full time employment with Synectics.

401(k) Plan: The Synectics Inc. Investment Savings Retirement Plan. Synectics offers all employees who are 21 years of age or older the opportunity to invest in the 401(k) Plan on the first of the month following at least 1 calendar year after employment begins.

Synectics is an equal opportunity employer.