Sr. Director, Clinical Outsourcing and Vendor Management
City Therapeutics is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Sr. Director, Clinical Outsourcing and Vendor Management to lead the strategy, oversight, and performance management of external clinical service providers across our clinical development portfolio.
City Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company harnessing next-generation engineering to improve and expand the reach of RNAi-based medicines. The company is building a pipeline of innovative RNAi therapeutics to make a significant impact for patients across multiple therapeutic areas. Co-founded by pioneering executives and scientists in RNAi, City Therapeutics is based in Cambridge, MA, and has raised $140 million from leading life sciences investors.
Reporting to the Vice President of Clinical Operations, this individual will serve as the primary business owner for key clinical vendors, including CROs, central laboratories, imaging providers, eCOA/ePRO vendors, IRT providers, and specialty service partners. The successful candidate will establish scalable vendor governance processes, ensure operational excellence, and drive accountability across external partnerships while supporting the execution of City's clinical development programs. This is an opportunity to build and lead this highly visible function within CityTx.
This role is ideal for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced biotech environment and enjoys collaboration, building systems and processes that enable efficient, high-quality clinical trial execution.
Key Responsibilities
Vendor Strategy & Governance
- Develop and implement City Therapeutics' clinical vendor management strategy and governance framework.
- Serve as the primary operational lead for vendor selection, qualification, onboarding, oversight, and performance management.
- Establish vendor governance committees, business reviews, and performance scorecards.
- Lead cross-functional vendor oversight meetings and ensure alignment between internal stakeholders and external partners.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across vendor relationships and service delivery models.
Vendor Selection & Contracting Support
- Partner with Clinical Operations, Clinical Development, Legal, Quality, and Finance to support vendor selection activities.
- Lead RFI, RFP, bid defense, and vendor evaluation processes.
- Develop vendor assessment criteria and recommendations for executive decision-making.
- Drive and collaborate with internal stakeholders on contract negotiations, change orders, and financial oversight activities.
Performance & Risk Management
- Define and monitor vendor KPIs, SLAs, and quality metrics.
- Proactively identify risks, performance gaps, and operational challenges.
- Develop mitigation plans and drive issue resolution with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure vendors meet quality, compliance, and operational expectations.
Clinical Trial Execution Support
- Partner closely with Clinical Trial Managers and program teams to ensure vendors deliver against study timelines, quality standards, and budget expectations.
- Monitor vendor deliverables and resource allocation across programs.
- Facilitate escalation management and executive-level communications when needed.
Process Development & Continuous Improvement
- Build scalable vendor management processes suitable for a growing clinical-stage biotech company.
- Develop SOPs, work instructions, templates, scorecards, and governance tools.
- Implement best practices that improve efficiency, transparency, and accountability.
- Support inspection readiness and quality initiatives related to vendor oversight.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Nursing, Health Sciences, Business, or related field.
- 15+ years of clinical research experience within biotechnology, pharmaceutical, or CRO environments.
- 8+ years of direct vendor management, alliance management, or clinical outsourcing experience.
- Demonstrated experience managing global CROs and multiple clinical service providers.
- Strong understanding of ICH-GCP, FDA, EMA, and global clinical trial regulations.
- Experience leading RFPs, vendor selection processes, contract negotiations, and governance activities.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to influence across functions and organizational levels.
Preferred
- Advanced degree (MS, MPH, MBA, PharmD, or PhD).
- Experience supporting early-phase and first-in-human clinical studies.
- Experience within emerging biotechnology companies.
- Experience building vendor oversight frameworks from the ground up.
- Knowledge of RNAi, rare disease, oncology, immunology, or other complex therapeutic areas.
Compensation: The base salary range provided reflects our current estimate of what we anticipate paying for this position. Your actual base salary will be based on several factors, including relevant skills, experience, internal equity, relevant education or training and market dynamics. In addition, this role is eligible for an annual cash bonus and equity compensation. City Therapeutics offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, health and dependent care FSA accounts, HSA/HRA accounts with company contributions, in addition to a 401(k) with competitive company match. Per Year Salary Range: $253,333 to $286,667 USD
City Therapeutics is accepting applications from direct candidates only. Agency inquiries or submissions will not be accepted at this time.
