Associate Director, Site Contracting Governance & Strategy

Bristol Myers Squibb • Princeton, NJ

64d • $173,350 - $210,058 • Hybrid

About The Position

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 operations team to ensure high‑quality delivery and seamless integration across the contracting lifecycle.

Requirements

• 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.
• 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.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership or management certification (preferred)

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Health Coverage: Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
• Wellbeing 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.
• Work-life benefits include: Paid Time Off US Exempt Employees: flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval, 11 paid national holidays (not applicable to employees in Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico or Rayzebio employees) Phoenix, AZ, Puerto Rico and Rayzebio Exempt, Non-Exempt, Hourly Employees: 160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval, 11 national holidays, and 3 optional holidays
• Based on eligibility, additional time off for employees may include 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director