Patient Engagement Lead – Global Clinical Trial Recruitment and Retention

Syneos Health•Morrisville, NC

3d•Remote

About The Position

Syneos Health is a leading fully-integrated life sciences services organization. The Patient Engagement Lead is a senior-level role responsible for the end-to-end ownership of global patient recruitment and retention (R&R) strategy and execution across clinical trials. This role is accountable for defining, operationalizing, and delivering recruitment strategy in partnership with sponsors. The individual will lead the day-to-day execution of global enrollment strategies, ensuring performance against timelines, budgets, and quality expectations. This role requires a candidate who can step in immediately, operate autonomously, and drive results across complex, global studies.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, or a related field.
5+ years of experience with full ownership of global patient recruitment and retention strategy and execution within clinical research.
Demonstrated experience serving as the accountable lead for day-to-day delivery of recruitment strategy for sponsors.
Proven track record managing global, multi-phase clinical trials (Phase I–IV) across a variety of therapeutic areas.
Experience leading global programs across regions, with accountability for overall management, execution, and results.
Ability to operate independently and “hit the ground running” in a fast-paced, sponsor-facing environment.
Strong expertise in data-driven enrollment strategies, including performance tracking and mitigation planning.
Advanced vendor management experience, including selection, oversight, and performance optimization.
Demonstrated experience managing budgets, forecasting, and scope changes.
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting pre-award strategy and feasibility.
Background in patient advocacy and community engagement initiatives.
Experience contributing to innovation in patient recruitment approaches.

Responsibilities

Own and lead the global patient recruitment and retention strategy across assigned studies from start-up through closeout.
Translate strategy into execution by driving day-to-day delivery, performance tracking, and continuous optimization.
Serve as the accountable lead for enrollment outcomes, proactively identifying risks and implementing mitigation plans.
Lead global, multi-region recruitment programs, ensuring alignment across geographies, study teams, and solution partners.
Operate as the central point of coordination across stakeholders to ensure seamless execution and delivery.
Drive consistency and quality in strategy implementation across all regions and phases of the study.
Act as a primary point of contact for sponsors on all recruitment-related activities.
Provide strategic guidance, performance insights, and clear recommendations to optimize enrollment outcomes.
Lead discussions on strategy performance, risks, and innovative approaches to accelerate recruitment.
Identify and lead selection of recruitment solution partners aligned to study needs and indication.
Oversee vendor performance, ensuring accountability to scope, timelines, and quality standards.
Resolve vendor-related challenges independently, maintaining momentum and delivery.
Own the development and lifecycle management of the Participant Engagement Plan (PEP).
Oversee execution of patient-facing tactics, including material development, translation, distribution, and inventory management.
Ensure all deliverables meet sponsor expectations, regulatory requirements, and internal quality standards.
Manage recruitment-related budgets, forecasts, and scope changes.
Ensure financial discipline and proactively address out-of-scope activities through appropriate change processes.
Provide accurate reporting, projections, and updates to support overall study success.
Mentor junior team members and provide oversight where needed.
Contribute to process improvements, innovation, and departmental growth initiatives.
Support business development activities, including pre-award strategy and consultation.