company logo

Senior Manager, Clinical Sourcing and Contract Management

MapLight Therapeutics

Office

Burlington, MA

Full Time

Who We Are: MapLight Therapeutics is a clinical stage biotech company that focuses on drug discovery for central nervous system disorders. We combine cutting-edge technologies including optogenetics, in vivo physiology, and spatial transcriptomics to identify novel drug targets and develop effective therapies to address psychiatric symptoms.

What You’ll Do: We are seeking a proactive, detail-oriented, and collaborative Senior Manager of Clinical Sourcing and Contract Management to play a key role in supporting clinical operations through strategic vendor and contract management. In this position, you will drive operational excellence across clinical programs by leading and overseeing vendor selection and onboarding and ensuring efficient contracting processes.

Acting as a central liaison between Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, and external vendors, you will help ensure the timely and compliant execution of clinical activities, while optimizing cost, quality, and performance.  This is ideal for someone who thrives in a fast-paced, cross-functional environment and is passionate about improving processes, building partnerships, and enabling the success of clinical development efforts.

Responsibilities:

  • Strategically lead and manage the end-to-end RFP process for clinical vendors (e.g., CROs, advertising partners, laboratories), including the development of RFP documentation, cross-functional evaluation of proposals, coordination of bid defense meetings, and driving informed vendor selection decisions in alignment with program and study goals.
  • Oversee vendor onboarding and contracting activities in partnership with Legal, Clinical Operations, and other internal stakeholders, ensuring contract execution aligns with clinical development timelines and organizational risk tolerance.
  • Lead high-level contract negotiations with clinical vendors and investigative sites, balancing speed, cost, quality, compliance, and risk. Escalate and resolve complex issues applying strategic insight and operation savvy.
  • Own and optimize vendor and contract tracking infrastructure, ensuring visibility, data integrity, and cross-functional alignment through regular reporting and stakeholder engagement.
  • Serve as the senior vendor management partner for Clinical Operations, providing leadership in budget alignment, commitment tracking, while maintaining vendor records in accordance with internal financial compliance standards.

 

 

  • Collaborate closely with Clinical Operations, Finance, and Program Management to inform strategic budget planning, financial forecasting, and oversight of vendor invoice reconciliation and accrual processes. Provide finance with timely updates on contractual changes throughout the clinical trial lifecycle.
  • Develop and maintain strong, performance-driven vendor partnerships, establish KPIs, monitor service delivery, and ensure accountability and continuous improvement throughout the life of each engagement. Cultivate strategic connections with business development counterparts at each vendor.
  • Lead cross-functional process improvement initiatives, focusing on operational scalability, risk reduction, and increased efficiency across vendor management and internal workflows.
  • Provide mentorship and day-to-day guidance to junior team members, supporting their professional development and contributing to a collaborative team culture.
  • Design, implement, and maintain SOPs, work instructions, and standardized tools to support best practices in vendor selection, RFPs, contracting, and ongoing vendor oversight as needed.

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, business administration, or a related field; advanced degree a plus.
  • 10+ years of experience in business operations or as a contract/vendor manager in the biotech or pharmaceutical industry.
  • Strong understanding of clinical trial vendor categories and contracting processes.
  • Experience managing RFPs, contracts, and vendors in a cross-functional environment.
  • Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Willing to manage larger strategic discussions related to contract management as well as administrative tasks.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to collaborate across departments and external partners.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite; Smartsheet and familiarity with vendor and finance systems (e.g., Coupa, SAP, NetSuite) a plus

Location: This is a hybrid position on-site at our office in Burlington, MA three days per week.

 

EEOC Statement: MapLight Therapeutics is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Senior Manager, Clinical Sourcing and Contract Management

Office

Burlington, MA

Full Time

August 20, 2025

company logo

MapLight Therapeutics

Maplightrx