Sr. Manager, Vendor Strategy & Relationships

Program Manager III (Sr. Manager / Manager, Vendor Strategy & Relationships)
Rate: $68-77/hr based on experience
Contract: Through Dec 31, 2026
Location: Remote

Orion Group is hiring a Program Manager III – Vendor Strategy & Relationships, which is a more senior role responsible for both operational execution and strategic vendor partnership management across clinical development programs.
This individual leads vendor relationships across complex therapeutic areas and global studies, drives strategic vendor alignment, and manages high-level partnership escalations and portfolio-level vendor performance improvements for our multinational pharmaceutical client. 

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Strategy Leadership

• Drive vendor selection strategy for clinical studies.
• Align vendor strategy with therapeutic area and portfolio objectives.

Vendor Relationship Management

• Manage strategic vendor partnerships and ensure alignment with enterprise vendor strategy.
• Lead discussions with vendors and study teams regarding operational design, risks, and capabilities.

Escalation & Risk Management

• Lead partnership-level escalations and resolve complex vendor issues.
• Identify performance risks and implement corrective actions.

Operational Governance

• Conduct second-level review of vendor contracts and specifications.
• Support financial oversight of vendor partnerships.

Training & Process Improvement

• Develop and lead training programs for study teams.
• Lead cross-study lessons learned and best practice initiatives.
• Drive change management efforts across therapeutic areas.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, healthcare, business, or related field
• 6+ years clinical development experience
• 5+ years working with global third-party vendors
• Experience managing complex vendor partnerships
• Expertise in:
  • vendor governance
  • clinical trial operations
  • global vendor management
• Strong stakeholder influence and leadership skills.

People are our business worldwide
 
Orion Group was founded in 1987 and is now one of the largest, independent, international recruitment companies. We have a network of 200 employees working from 24 offices, delivering a range of services – Talent Acquisition, Recruitment Outsourcing Services, Retained Search, Global Workforce Solutions, Completions & Commissioning and Materials Management – across 68 countries. As a global leader in workforce solutions, we recruit personnel across the Engineering & Technical, Office & Commercial, Scientific and Skilled Trades disciplines, for sectors including Oil & Gas, Life Science, Power & Utilities, Constructions & Infrastructure, Manufacturing and Renewables.