****Description****
Exec Director, Strategic BD


Job Code


Job Family


Job Family Group


SH1643


Sales (JF)


Sales Group


Grade/Level


Management Level


FLSA Status


M27


Exempt


**Job Summary**
The Exec Director, Strategic BD is responsible for driving Enterprise-level sales growth through global


account strategy, strategic partnerships, and long-term client engagement. This role focuses on


identifying and securing high-impact opportunities across the biopharmaceutical landscape by navigating


complex procurement environments, leading preferred provider pursuits, negotiating master service


agreements (MSAs), and orchestrating cross-functional solution development.


With a strong understanding of the clinical development lifecycle and deep relationships within the


pharmaceutical industry, the Exec Director, Strategic BD partners closely with internal stakeholders


across therapeutic strategy, operations, legal, finance, and delivery to create client-centric growth


strategies that support Syneos Health's global objectives.


Core Responsibilities


Stakeholder management, people, …


Leads global business development efforts across a portfolio of high-value accounts, driving


strategic growth and revenue expansion.


Identifies, evaluates, and pursues enterprise-level opportunities, including preferred provider


arrangements, MSAs, and strategic alliances.


Creates and maintains multi-year strategic growth plans for key global clients, aligned with


Syneos Health’s commercial objectives.


Serves as a strategic advisor and trusted partner to client executives by understanding their


business priorities, development pipelines, and partnership expectations.


Navigates complex global sourcing and procurement organizations to influence client decision-


making and streamline contracting processes.


Collaborates cross-functionally with therapeutic leads, operations, delivery, and marketing to co-


create compelling, client-tailored solutions.


Leads and coordinates the development of high-impact proposals, RFP responses, and executive


presentations.


Maintains up-to-date and accurate records in CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce), including account


strategy documentation, contacts, opportunities, and communications.


Represents Syneos Health at key industry events, conferences, and client meetings to enhance


brand visibility and cultivate new opportunities.


Monitors market dynamics and competitor activity to inform strategic pursuits and continuously


refine account strategies.


Develops and implements an annual sales plan for assigned markets/accounts, including


forecasting, objective setting, and quarterly reviews to adjust for evolving needs.


Prioritizes accounts and territory focus using data-informed insights on client opportunity and


market potential.


Creates and executes monthly objectives aligned to the sales plan, effectively managing time and


resources to achieve targets.


Develops and maintains strategic account plans, proactively identifying client challenges and


collaborating with internal teams to deliver solutions.


Builds and nurtures strong relationships with key client stakeholders, including decision-makers


and influencers, to expand account value.


Leads the design and execution of tailored, multi-touchpoint sales strategies based on client


needs, market dynamics, and strategic goals.


Drives account expansion strategies, including therapeutic alignment, renewals, and next-phase


opportunities.


Collaborates with cross-functional teams—such as operations, therapeutic strategy, deal strategy,


and delivery—to co-create customized, client-focused solutions.


Maintains up-to-date records of client activity, pipeline, and sales progress within CRM platforms


such as Salesforce.


Acts as a client advocate internally, sharing insights on culture, preferences, and priorities to


guide proposal development and team alignment.


Educates clients on Syneos Health’s differentiated value proposition and evolving service


capabilities across clinical and commercial offerings.


Represents Syneos Health at client meetings, industry conferences, and professional events to


elevate brand visibility and uncover new opportunities.


Monitors industry trends, competitive landscape, and emerging client needs to continuously refine


engagement strategies.


Conducts regular reviews of territory performance and sales pipeline to inform sales planning and


forecasting.


**Qualifications**
Education Requirements


**Min/Preferred**
Education Level


**Description**
Minimum


4 Year / Bachelors


Degree


in a science related field, or equivalent related


education and experience, plus extensive


experience in clinical research and


commercialization


**Preferred**
Graduate Degree


MBA/PhD/MD degrees a plus.


**Additional Qualifications**
Proven experience in strategic sales, global business development, or client relationship


management.


Significant experience in the clinical trial industry, with deep knowledge of the pharmaceutical


landscape (required).


Deep understanding of clinical research service lines (e.g., full-service offer, FSP and RWLP) and


the full drug development lifecycle.


Demonstrated success in leading preferred provider pursuits and negotiating master service


agreements.


Proven ability to build and maintain strategic relationships with mid- to executive-level


stakeholders across large, matrixed organizations.


Strong consultative selling skills with the ability to uncover client needs and co-create impactful,


tailored solutions.


Excellent communication, presentation, and negotiation skills.


Collaborative and influential, with experience leading cross-functional sales efforts and managing


competing priorities with attention to detail.


Highly organized and able to prioritize effectively in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.


Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and data-driven decision-making capability.


Proficient in MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, and CRM tools such as Salesforce.


Willingness to travel at least 60% for client engagements, internal meetings, and industry


conferences.


Critical Skills


leverage the Skills Ontology


Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence at all organizational


levels.


Strong business acumen and strategic thinking; Strong strategic and analytical thinking, able to


translate complex data into actionable business plans.


Expert negotiation and presentation skills, especially in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.


Proactive relationship builder with demonstrated resilience and persistence.


Highly organized with superior time management and prioritization capabilities.


Strong business acumen and commercial awareness within the pharmaceutical and clinical


research industries.


Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional and matrixed environments.


Adaptable and agile in a fast-paced, evolving global marketplace.


Proficient with CRM tools (Salesforce preferred) and standard business software (MS Office


Suite, Google Workspace).


Comfortable with frequent travel and global client engagement.


Strong business acumen and strategic thinking


Highly organized with ability to prioritize in a dynamic, fast-paced environment


Resilient and results-driven


Technologically proficient, including MS Office Suite, Google Workspace, and Salesforce


Disclaimer


Tasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive. The Company, at its


sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities.


Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents


may differ from those listed in the Job Description. The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine


what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above. Further, nothing contained herein


should be construed to create an employment contract. Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs


are expressed in brief terms. Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all


obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation


of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees. The


Company is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including the provision of


reasonable accommodations, when appropriate, to assist employees or applicants to perform the


**Essential Functions Of The Job.**
US ONLY


**Years Of Experience Required**
At least thirteen (13) years of related experience including five (5)+ years of business development


experience and a minimum of three (3) years of experience in the Clinical Trials industry


Physical Requirements: Position requires: ability to occasionally move about inside the office to access


filing cabinets, office equipment, etc. and to move between office locations; ability to maintain a stationary


position for prolonged periods of time; ability to occasionally manipulate (e.g., lift, carry, move) office


items and packages of light to medium weights of 10-35 pounds; ability to constantly operate a computer


and other office productivity equipment (e.g., scanner, phone, printer, copier); ability to perceive and


assess written materials for prolonged periods of time; and ability to frequently communicate with


colleagues on the phone, by email, and in-person.


Work Environment: This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses


standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and filing cabinets. The noise level


in the work environment is low. This is a largely sedentary role.