Director, Surveys and Observational Studies

RTI International•Durham, NC

About The Position

RTI Health Solutions (RTI-HS), a business unit of RTI International, is an independent and internationally recognized research organization. We provide healthcare consulting and research expertise to optimize decision-making for pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical device products across the development and marketing life cycle. Clients rely on our expertise, quality standards, and integrity to guide their product development and regulatory and market access strategies. Our service groupings include Value, Access, and HEOR; Patient-Centered and Outcomes Research; Epidemiology and Biostatistics; Medical Communications; Global Business Operations; and Strategic Consulting and Growth. RTI-HS has office locations in the US, UK, Spain, France, and Sweden. The Surveys and Observational Studies practice is focused on collaborating with clients in the pharmaceutical/ biotechnology/ medical device industries to design and execute robust, methodologically sound RWE studies to inform clinical development plans, as well as demonstrate and support the value and safety of their marketed products. We are currently looking to hire a Director, Surveys and Observational Studies to serve as a key leadership partner to the Group Head of the practice area, helping guide a team of ~15 multidisciplinary researchers with expertise in RWE and primary data collection. This role will strengthen operational excellence to provide scientific expertise, strategic vision, operational leadership, and business acumen to support the Group Head in growing the SOS department. The role spans study design and execution, team leadership, staff development, client engagement and delivery, compliance, and innovation in evidence generation.

Requirements

Master's degree or higher (e.g., MPH, MS, PharmD, PhD, MD, RN/PA) with 8+ years of relevant experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, epidemiology, or HEOR/RWE consulting.
Experience designing and executing primary data collection and observational RWE studies, including survey methodology and instrument development.
Demonstrated experience leading projects, mentoring staff, and contributing to scientific deliverables. Experience in successfully managing a cross-functional team.
Familiarity with ethics and privacy regulations, patient recruitment strategies, data management systems, and mixed-method research approaches.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and scientific communication skills.
The ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards of quality and methodological rigor.
Proven capability to influence and negotiate effectively with senior stakeholders.
Demonstrated success collaborating across multidisciplinary teams and influencing outcomes without direct authority.
Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to translate scientifically rigorous information for diverse audiences.
Proficiency in MS Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; familiarity with qualitative and/or quantitative analysis tools is preferred.
Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-growth consulting environment.

Responsibilities

Champion scientific integrity and excellence through robust analytical approaches, evidence-based decision-making, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of research quality.
Provides thought leadership with recognized expertise and industry influence
Strong decision-making skills balancing scientific rigor and operational feasibility
Lead and oversee complex, multi-country site-based and cross-sectional observational studies, including primary data collection initiatives, serving as scientific lead or co-lead on high-impact client engagements.
Develop protocols, survey instruments, data collection plans, analysis strategies, and high-quality deliverables (reports, manuscripts, slide decks).
Provide methodological guidance in quantitative and qualitative research, PRO measures, chart abstraction, data capture systems, and mixed-method RWE designs.
Serve as a senior reviewer or lead for proposals, protocols, analysis plans, and deliverables, ensuring methodological rigor, consistency, and quality.
Stay current on emerging scientific and regulatory trends (e.g., FDA, EMA, ISPOR) and proactively share insights with the team to support innovation and service evolution.
Influence industry standards by representing the organization through publications, conference presentations, and participation in scientific advisory boards.
Support the Group Head in managing day-to-day operations of the practice, including project resourcing, prioritization, and staff assignments.
Coach, mentor, and develop researchers, project managers, and analysts; provide real-time feedback and support career development plans.
Actively performance-manage team members by setting clear expectations, providing constructive feedback, and supporting professional growth.
Ensure staff are equipped to deliver work that meets the highest standards of scientific rigor through mentoring, training, and continuous development initiatives.
Foster a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and collaboration.
Implement training programs and capability-building initiatives for staff development.
Help identify staffing needs, hiring priorities, and cross-training opportunities to ensure coverage and scalability of project demands.
Strengthen operational processes by identifying gaps and contributing to new SOPs, templates, and best practices across proposal development, study execution, and reporting.
Develop (and/or bring) a portfolio of client relationships to actively build a book of business and expand SOS's existing client base.
Partner with the Group Head to shape and execute strategic business development initiatives, including expanding the client portfolio, cultivating executive-level relationships, leading proposal development, driving successful bid defenses, and engaging with new and existing clients to strengthen partnerships.
Develop and maintain strong client relationships by providing scientific expertise, problem-solving, communication, and project leadership.
Drive business growth by cultivating client relationships and identifying new opportunities.
Identify opportunities to expand client partnerships, enhance service offerings, and grow revenue.
Represent RTI-HS at industry meetings and contribute to conference abstracts, manuscripts, and thought leadership.
Support implementation of strategic initiatives within the practice area and across PCOR related to innovation, technology, new service offerings, team capability-building, and operational efficiency.
Leverage knowledge of trends in RWE, digital engagement, data privacy, and regulatory expectations to inform strategic planning and future investments.
Drive proactive partnerships with client leadership to shape evidence generation strategies that anticipate needs and deliver long-term portfolio impact.
Manage budgets, timelines, and resource plans for assigned projects; ensure financial stewardship of the practice area by driving project profitability, utilization and sustained growth.
Monitor and interpret project KPIs, proactively identifying risks early, escalating or resolving issues to maintain operational excellence.
Provide guidance to teams in interpreting financial metrics such as Direct Project Rate (DPR), margin optimization, and revenue forecasting to inform strategic decision making and enhance business outcomes.

Benefits

a generous paid time off policy
merit based annual increases
bonus opportunities
a robust recognition program
a competitive range of insurance plans (including health, dental, life, and short-term and long-term disability)
access to a retirement savings program such as a 401(k) plan
paid parental leave for all parents
financial assistance with adoption expenses or infertility treatments
financial reimbursement for education and developmental opportunities
an employee assistance program
numerous other offerings to support a healthy work-life balance