Senior Contract Manager

Location: Distant Employee - Distant Working Arrangement (DWA) (USA)

Job Description Summary

#LI-Remote

This position can be based remotely anywhere in the U.S. (there may be some restrictions based on legal entity). Please note that this role would not provide relocation as a result. The expectation of working hours and travel (domestic and/or international) will be defined by the hiring manager. This position will not require travel.

Take the lead in shaping the success of clinical trials at Novartis by driving complex contract negotiations that directly impact study timelines and patient access. As a Senior Contract Manager, you will play a critical role at the intersection of legal expertise, financial strategy, and clinical operations—partnering with global stakeholders to deliver high-quality agreements, unlock efficiencies, and resolve challenges with confidence. This is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact by ensuring trials start faster, run smoother, and ultimately bring innovative therapies to patients sooner.

Key Responsibilities

• Independently negotiate and execute complex clinical trial agreements, including Master Agreements and Confidentiality Agreements
• Develop, review, and finalize clinical trial budgets, ensuring alignment with fair market value principles
• Lead contract and budget negotiations with investigational sites to achieve timely contract execution and study start-up goals
• Resolve stalled negotiations and provide strategic support to Contract Managers to maintain study timelines
• Partner with cross-functional stakeholders including Legal, Regulatory, Quality, and Clinical teams
• Identify, assess, and communicate contractual and budgetary risks to key stakeholders for approval
• Collaborate with global and local teams to resolve complex contractual challenges efficiently
• Analyze grant plans and budget proposals to support accurate and compliant financial decisions
• Drive continuous improvement by identifying trends and leading initiatives to enhance contracting processes
• Partner with clinical teams and vendors to optimize budgets and deliver cost-saving opportunities

Essential Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business administration, legal, finance, science, or related field

5+ years of experience in contract management within clinical trials or pharmaceuticals

Proven expertise in negotiating clinical trial agreements and complex contracts independently

Strong knowledge of pharmaceutical industry regulations and United States privacy requirements

Excellent analytical, organizational, and project management skills with strong attention to detail

Advanced negotiation and conflict resolution skills in complex, multi-stakeholder environments

Ability to work effectively in a matrix organization with global and cross-functional teams

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with a customer-focused mindset

The salary for this position is expected to range between $89,600 and $166,400 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.