Associate Director, Site Contracting Governance & Strategy

Position Summary The Associate Director of Site Contracting Governance & Strategy provides strategic leadership for the regional governance function, overseeing a highly skilled team responsible for direct site negotiations, complex budget and legal escalations, and the development of global contracting standards. This role serves as the strategic architect of regional site contracting approaches, driving policy development, portfolio‑level strategy, and enterprise alignment. The role ensures rigorous governance, consistent decision‑making, and executional excellence across all programs, partnering closely with the operations team to ensure high‑quality delivery and seamless integration across the contracting lifecycle. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership & Governance Provide strategic direction for site contracting governance and strategy team, ensuring consistent negotiation principles, governance rigor, and alignment with global standards. Shape and drive the regional contracting strategy across portfolio programs, ensuring harmonization, risk mitigation, and operational predictability. Lead the development, implementation, and maintenance of policies, governance frameworks, SOPs, and standards for site contracting. Serve as the escalation authority for complex budget and legal matters, enabling rapid, sound, and well‑documented decisions. Leadership of High‑Expertise Negotiators Lead a team of experienced negotiators with direct site‑facing accountability for complex budget escalations, negotiation authority, and legal escalation management. Ensure the team executes with the highest professional standards, leveraging advanced negotiation approaches, risk management skills, and cross‑functional engagement. Coach and develop team members to act as subject matter experts for strategic contracting topics, fostering a culture of excellence, autonomy, and innovation. Management of Complex Escalations Oversee all high‑risk, high‑impact escalations involving legal interpretation, contract deviations, financial risks, budget exceptions, indemnification, and global standards. Partner with Legal, Finance, and Regional/Central Operations to ensure issues are resolved with speed, consistency, and strategic alignment. Establish and maintain clear pathways for stakeholder engagement and escalation resolution across the enterprise. Strategic Influence & Cross‑Functional Leadership Represent Site Contracting Governance & Strategy in enterprise‑level forums, providing expert insight on negotiation strategy, financial impact, and risk mitigation. Drive alignment with RCO, Medical, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and CRO partners to ensure consistent execution of strategy across programs and regions. Influence enterprise contracting strategy through thought leadership, market insights, and operational intelligence. Documentation Ownership, Policy Governance & Knowledge Management Own all governance documentation, including SOPs, work instructions, templates, decision trees, playbooks, and training materials. Ensure version control, quality, compliance, and change management for all governance content. Lead knowledge management for the site contracting governance function, ensuring consistent application and dissemination of best practices. Portfolio Oversight & Operational Integration Provide strategic oversight to ensure seamless integration between governance and strategy and operations, guaranteeing high‑quality execution. Ensure that complex cases escalated from operations are resolved effectively and serve as learning opportunities for continuous improvement. Monitor portfolio‑level performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities to strengthen contracting strategy. Innovation & Strategic Development Drive innovation across the governance function by identifying and implementing new methodologies, negotiation models, and operational efficiencies. Lead transformation initiatives to improve transparency, governance, risk management, and decision‑making. Initiate and lead cross‑functional projects that elevate contracting standards, financial stewardship, and operational performance. Qualifications & Experience Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Law, Business Administration, Life Sciences, or a related field. Minimum 10 years of experience in clinical contract governance or leadership. Leadership or management certification (preferred). Advanced knowledge of global contracting standards, governance, and operational processes. Strong leadership and resource planning abilities. Expertise in SOP alignment, compliance, and cost optimization. Excellent stakeholder management and enterprise influence skills. Ability to manage complex projects and drive innovation. Outstanding communication and mentoring skills. Proficiency in contract management systems and Microsoft Office Suite. Up to 20%, as needed for regional strategy, leadership engagement, and cross‑functional collaboration. Compensation Overview Princeton - NJ - US: $173,350 - $210,058 The starting compensation range(s) for this role are listed above for a full‑time employee (FTE) basis. Additional incentive cash and stock opportunities (based on eligibility) may be available. The starting pay rate takes into account characteristics of the job, such as required skills, where the job is performed, the employee’s work schedule, job‑related knowledge, and experience. Final, individual compensation will be decided based on demonstrated experience. Benefits Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care. Well‑being Support: Programs such as BMS Well‑Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP). Financial Well‑being and Protection: 401(k) plan, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support. Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval), 11 paid national holidays (some locations excluded). Other Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays. Additional Time Off: unlimited paid sick time, up to 2 paid volunteer days per year, summer hours flexibility, leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs, and an annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day. Equal Employment Opportunity BMS is committed to equal employment opportunities. The company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records, pursuant to applicable laws in the area. BMS ensures that people with disabilities can excel through transparent recruitment processes and accommodations. For more information, visit the EEO accessibility page. #J-18808-Ljbffr