Senior Contract Specialist, R&D

Job Title: Sr. Contract Associate

Location: San Rafael, CA

Workstyle: Hybrid (2 days onsite – Tuesday & Wednesday)

Assignment Type: 6-month contract with potential to extend or convert

Pay Rate: $40–$50/hour

The Sr. Contract Associate supports the client’s R&D Business Operations function, which serves as a center of excellence for operational and financial support of global clinical trials. This role is responsible for executing the vendor contracting strategy, including analysis of vendor bids, negotiation of budgets and contract terms, drafting and management of Statements of Work, and oversight of contracts and purchase orders throughout the contract lifecycle. The position partners closely with Legal, Finance, Procurement, and study teams to ensure timely contract execution, financial transparency, and effective vendor management across R&D programs.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the end-to-end vendor contracting process through execution, including all required exhibits
• Draft and review contracts, SOWs, Change Orders, NDAs, and related agreements
• Analyze vendor bids and negotiate scope, budgets, and business/payment terms within approved parameters
• Coordinate internal and external contract reviews and facilitate approvals with Legal and stakeholders
• Maintain accurate contract records in tracking and financial approval systems
• Partner with cross-functional teams to assess scope, budget, accrual, and forecast impacts
• Request, review, and negotiate Change Order proposals as needed
• Communicate contract status, risks, and updates to key stakeholders and study teams
• Resolve contract execution, PO funding, and vendor payment issues
• Support contract close-out activities in accordance with established processes

Required Qualifications

• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Excellent organizational and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced environment
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to serve as a liaison between internal teams and external vendors
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and adaptable with a strong work ethic and ability to learn quickly

Preferred Qualifications

• 2–5 years of relevant experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including CRO experience
• Hands-on experience with vendor contracts, SOWs, and business operations processes
• Experience with the following systems is a plus:
• SharePoint, Microsoft Teams, Excel, Power BI
• Ariba (nice to have)
• Icertis (nice to have)

Education

• BA/BS in Finance, Accounting, Legal Studies, Health Sciences, or a related field

Please note: Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. We are unable to support C2C arrangements for this role.