Head of R&D and Scientific Strategy - Neuroscience

Overview

Description

Head of R&D and Scientific Strategy - Neuroscience. Syneos Health® is a leading fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities. Our Clinical Development model centers the customer and the patient, with a focus on simplification and efficiency. Whether you join in a Functional Service Provider partnership or a Full-Service environment, you’ll collaborate with passionate problem solvers to accelerate the delivery of therapies and change lives.

Discover what our 29,000 employees across 110 countries already know:
WORK HERE MATTERS EVERYWHERE

Why Syneos Health

• We are passionate about developing our people through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program.
• We are committed to our Total Self culture – where you can authentically be yourself. Our Total Self culture unites us globally, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people.
• We value diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives to create a place where everyone belongs.

Strategic Consulting & Proposal Development

• Serve as the medical lead in multidisciplinary teams responding to RFPs, contributing to study design, indication strategy, and operational feasibility assessments.
• Provide therapeutic and medical insight during bid defense meetings and client consultations.
• Collaborate with business development and operational teams to ensure proposed solutions align with client goals, budgets, and timelines.
• Maintain awareness and share insights on industry pipeline and scientific and business landscape.

Medical and Scientific Oversight

• Lead the development of clinical trial protocols, medical monitoring plans, and other key deliverables.
• Ensure the scientific accuracy and regulatory compliance of medical content and clinical strategies.
• Provide expert input into therapeutic feasibility analyses, indication assessments, and risk mitigation strategies.

Client and Cross-Functional Engagement

• Act as a key point of contact for medical and strategic questions throughout the proposal and trial lifecycle.
• Build strong relationships with clients, acting as a trusted advisor and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
• Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Regulatory Affairs, Biostatistics, and Pharmacovigilance teams.

Therapeutic Leadership

• Bring deep subject matter expertise in at least one therapeutic area (e.g., Oncology, Rare Diseases, CNS, Infectious Diseases).
• Stay abreast of medical and regulatory developments that impact clinical trial design and execution.

Innovation and Thought Leadership

• Champion the integration of innovative technologies and methodologies (e.g., decentralized trials, adaptive design, digital biomarkers).
• Contribute to white papers, conference presentations, and publications representing the CRO’s thought leadership.

Accountabilities

• Provide comprehensive input on proposals budgets and strategic planning to ensure alignment with therapeutic goals.
• Therapeutic Leadership
• Innovation and Thought Leadership
• Client and Cross-Functional Engagement
• Medical and Scientific Oversight
• Meet with clients/BD
• Portfolio/early Engagement
• Clinical Development Strategy Support
• Deep Partnership with clinical segment leads
• Bring KOLs
• Marketing

Qualification & Experience

• Medical degree (MD, DO, or equivalent); additional training (PhD, MPH, MBA) is advantageous.
• 8–12 years of relevant experience in clinical research, with at least 5 years in a CRO or client-facing strategic role.
• Strong knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, clinical trial design, and global regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in therapeutic strategy, protocol development, and medical review.
• Proven ability to collaborate effectively with business development teams and present to clients.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to simplify complex scientific information for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to understand customer needs,…