Role Summary
The Operational Strategy Manager is responsible for developing innovative, data-driven operational strategies that support the acquisition of new clinical trial business. Partnering closely with Business Development, Finance, and cross-functional operational stakeholders, this role translates sponsor requirements, feasibility intelligence, and operational insights into competitive study execution plans, proposal content, and strategic recommendations that align with both client objectives and organizational capabilities. The role supports the Oncology Therapeutics portfolio, developing operational strategies for clinical trial opportunities across a broad range of oncology indications.
As a key contributor to business growth, the Operational Strategy Manager serves as an operational subject matter expert throughout the proposal lifecycle, including sponsor interactions and bid defense meetings. The role is responsible for developing and defending operational approaches, reviewing study budgets and assumptions, identifying risks and mitigation strategies, and supporting the seamless transition of awarded studies from proposal development to operational execution.
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategy Development & Narrative Ownership
Lead development of operational strategies for new business opportunities based on protocol requirements, sponsor objectives, feasibility intelligence, and organizational capabilities.
Translate feasibility findings, therapeutic insights, and operational data into executable study delivery recommendations, including country, site, recruitment, and study execution strategies.
Create compelling operational proposal content that clearly communicates study plans, assumptions, risk mitigation strategies, and Novotech differentiators.
Develop and present operational strategy materials for sponsor interactions and bid defense meetings, effectively communicating and defending proposed approaches to support successful business acquisition.
Identify operational risks, challenges, and dependencies and develop strategic recommendations that balance proposal competitiveness with delivery feasibility.
2. Budget & Feasibility Review
Review and validate study budgets to ensure alignment with proposed operational strategies and assumptions.
Assess feasibility outputs, enrollment projections, startup timelines, resource requirements, and operational assumptions for viability.
Evaluate country strategies, site allocations, and recruitment plans to ensure feasibility and operational readiness.
Identify operational, financial, and execution risks and provide strategic recommendations for mitigation.
Analyze operational trade-offs and provide recommendations to optimize study timelines, cost, and delivery execution.
Ensure consistency between financial assumptions, feasibility findings, and proposed operational approaches.
Collaborate with Finance and proposal stakeholders to reconcile budget assumptions with study execution requirements.
3. Process & Operational Excellence
Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of operational strategy methodologies, frameworks, and best practices.
Standardize approaches to operational planning, risk assessment, and proposal development.
Drive quality, consistency, and accuracy across operational strategy deliverables.
Capture lessons learned and proposal outcomes to strengthen future strategy development.
Support initiatives that improve proposal efficiency, quality, and win-rate performance.
Maintain awareness of industry trends, competitive strategies, and emerging delivery models.
4. Systems, Tools & Documentation
Utilize feasibility, operational performance, benchmarking, and market intelligence data to support strategic decision-making.
Maintain documentation of operational assumptions, key strategic decisions, identified risks, and proposal commitments.
Ensure proposal documentation accurately reflects approved operational strategies and execution plans.
Support implementation and adoption of new analytical tools, data platforms, and operational planning resources.
Ensure data integrity and consistency across proposal materials, budgets, feasibility assessments, and strategy documentation.
Leverage available technology and intelligence platforms to enhance operational recommendations and proposal quality.
5. Cross‑Functional Collaboration
Partner with Business Development, Centralized Feasibility, Clinical Operations, Medical, Finance, and regional stakeholders to develop integrated and customer-focused proposal strategies.
Facilitate alignment of operational assumptions, study timelines, budgets, risks, and execution plans across functional contributors.
Serve as an operational subject matter expert during sponsor meetings and bid defense activities, collaborating with internal stakeholders to prepare presentation content, key messaging, and responses to sponsor inquiries.
Participate in awarded-study handover meetings to ensure effective transition of operational strategies, assumptions, risks, and sponsor commitments to delivery teams.
Support continuity between proposal development and study execution by ensuring strategic intent, operational recommendations, and client expectations are accurately documented and communicated
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Clinical Research, Healthcare Administration, Business, or related field.
Strong understanding of clinical trial operations, feasibility assessments, site selection strategies, study startup considerations, and study delivery models.
Broad therapeutic area experience supporting clinical research opportunities across diverse oncology indications.
Experience developing operational strategies, study execution plans, or proposal responses for clinical research opportunities.
Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data and translate findings into strategic, customer-focused recommendations.
Strong written, verbal, presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Ability to manage multiple opportunities, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally, as required, to support sponsor meetings and bid defense activities (approximately <15%).
Preferred
Experience supporting global clinical trial proposals and business development activities.
Experience participating in sponsor-facing meetings, proposal presentations, and/or bid defense activities.
Experience reviewing clinical trial budgets, resource models, and operational assumptions.
Exposure to commercial strategy, pricing, or financial modeling within a CRO environment.
Experience working across global, cross-functional teams within a matrixed organization.
Experience Requirements
7+ years of experience in clinical research operations, operational strategy, feasibility, proposal development, or related functions.
Demonstrated expertise in operational strategy development and business acquisition support.
Experience mentoring, coaching, or providing technical leadership to colleagues.
Proven ability to influence stakeholders and drive cross-functional alignment.
We offer hybrid working arrangements and full flexibility in working hours to ensure our staff achieve the work-life balance often missing in this role.
Novotech is proud to offer a great workplace. We are committed to being an employer of choice for gender equality and providing an inclusive work environment where everyone is treated fairly and with respect. Our team members are passionate about what we do, but we understand work is only of the things that is important to them. We support our team members with flexible working options, paid parental leave for both parents, flexible leave entitlements, wellness programs and ongoing development programs.
We are looking for people who are passionate about working clinical research and biotech, including people who identify as LGBTIQ+, have a disability or have caring responsibilities.
We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer and commit to respond to every application. We look forward to contacting you regarding your application.
You must have full unrestricted working rights in Australia to be considered for this role. We unfortunately cannot provide sponsorship for this role.
About UsNovotech is a global full-service clinical Contract Research Organization (CRO).
At Novotech, ambition meets opportunity. As a globally recognized leader in clinical research and scientific advisory services, we are proud to combine our position at the forefront of the industry with an award-winning workplace culture that values ambition, innovation, and growth. Named Employer of Choice, Great Place to Work and Employer of Choice for Gender Equality (EOCGE), we are committed to fostering an environment that reflects the life-changing work we do.
Since 1997, we have expanded our global footprint, now with 30+ offices across Asia-Pacific, the United States, and Europe. This growing network unites professionals from diverse backgrounds and disciplines to advance therapies that improve patient outcomes worldwide.
At Novotech, our employees are at the heart of our success. By offering trust, flexibility, and autonomy through programs like NovoLife, our flexible benefits framework, we empower team members to create an effective work-life balance that delivers professional satisfaction and maximum results for clients.
With access to mentorship opportunities, professional development programs, and a dynamic community, Novotech offers a platform for driven individuals to achieve personal growth while shaping the future of healthcare. Join us to be a part of a team that values your contributions and supports your ambition to make a global impact.
At Novotech we have advanced therapeutic and regulatory expertise, the ability to execute across markets and a client-centric service model, so that our clients get a trusted, long-term partner and an accelerated path to bring their life-changing advances to market. This gives our employees the opportunity to develop their careers by joining a diverse and supportive global organization with a collaborative culture, whilst working with clients on the cutting-edge of life sciences.
At Novotech you will work alongside empowered teams with a shared commitment to success.
- Strategic vs transactional mindset.
- Ability to gain insights and make proactive decisions quickly.
- Culture that fosters partnership and collaboration, where every voice is heard and valued.
- Ongoing support from senior stakeholders and leadership team.
Novotech Sydney, New South Wales, AUS Office
Sydney, Australia
