Senior Proposal Specialist

POSITION TITLE: Senior Proposal Specialist - Budgeting

DEPARTMENT: Business Development Operations

Ora Values the Daily Practice of …

Prioritizing Kindness * Operational Excellence * Cultivating Joy * Scientific Rigor

At Ora, we are building the future of ophthalmic clinical research. As the world's leading full-service ophthalmic drug and device development firm, we guide our clients across all phases of clinical research to efficiently bring new products and therapies to market. Over the past 45 years, our expert teams have helped earn more than 85 new product approvals. Ora's pre-clinical and clinical models, unique methodologies, integrated clinical data solutions, and global regulatory strategies have been refined and proven across thousands of global projects. Today, our team continues to expand across the globe, with over 600 employees across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.

The Role:

Ora's Business Development Operations (BDO) department is responsible for responding to Requests for Proposals (RFPs) submitted by the business development team, creating Statements of Work (SOWs) and assisting with the Change Order (CO) process for all of Ora's clinical trial bids. Our Senior Proposal Specialist is responsible for independently leading a cross functional team on a project basis with regards to budget, proposals and SOW creation. The Senior Proposal Specialist will be responsible for managing complex RFP and sponsor requests while ensuring all deliverables meet the sponsor needs and are an accurate representation of Ora's service offerings, experience, and fee structure. In addition, the Senior Proposal Specialist will serve as a mentor to other BD Ops Associates, reviewing their documentation and proposals while coaching them on best practices. This role is also responsible for Ora's post-award process, ensuring a smooth handoff from the BDO and Business Development teams to Ora's Operations & Finance teams and will work with management on process improvements as needed. Successful cross functional interactions with BD, Operations and Finance is critical for this role.

What You'll Do:

• Independently provides document review for BD Ops Associates I and BD Ops Associates II
• Supports BD Ops Manager and Director with template management and process improvement projects as assigned
• Develops budgets and proposals by assembling information including project scope, timeline, staffing and organization credentials.
• Determines proposal scope by reading RFPs, identifying and clarifying opportunities and needs, and meeting with Therapeutic Area Heads and other clinical operations personnel as appropriate.
• Gathers proposals information by identifying sources of information, requesting information and coordinating timely collection of information.
• Ensures budget accuracy by using historical data for reference, implementing standardized quality checks, and vetting the budgets with key stakeholders.
• Meets budgets and proposal deadlines by establishing priorities and target dates for information gathering, preparing budgets, writing, review, and approvals.
• Obtains approvals by reviewing proposal with key stakeholders and managers.
• Delivers high-quality proposals by using proposal templates; following proposal-writing standards including readability, consistency, and tone; maintaining proposal support databases.
• Proactively communicates with BD and management teams throughout the sales cycle.
• Maintains applicable opportunity information in Ora's CRM system.
• Adhere to all aspects of Ora's quality system.
• Adhere to all essential systems and processes that are required at Ora to maintain compliance to Ora's data integrity & business ethics and regulatory requirements.
• Clear and sustained demonstration of Ora's values -- prioritizing kindness, operational excellence, cultivating joy and scientific rigor – as well as their linked behaviors.
• Responsibilities may differ from the above based on the specific needs of the business.

What We Look For:

• Experience needed for the Role:
  • Bachelor's degree with a minimum of 4 years' experience in business development and/or proposals. Years of experience may be considered in lieu of education.
  • Minimum of 2 years' experience in Contract Research Organization (CRO) environment and/or pharmaceutical industry
  • Experience with RFP budgeting for full service studies (including project management, clinical monitoring, site management, safety, medical monitoring, startup, etc.)
  • Prior team lead and/or proposal review experience
• Additional Skills & Attributes
  • Proven ability to follow up and follow through with the capacity to meet deadlines
  • Strong Microsoft Word and Excel skills
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills
  • Experience working closely with and within a team setting
  • Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision
  • Experience developing budgets and proposals
  • Ability to develop, organize, and manage multiple tasks with varying priority levels
  • Ability to build strong relationships
  • Multilingual communication is a plus
• Competencies and Personal Traits:
  • What We Do:
    • Execution Excellence: Ability to set goals, create structure and maintain a focused and collaborative approach to the delivery of timely and high-quality work.
  • How We Do It:
    • IQ, EQ and SQ: Agile and positive thinker, communicator and collaborator who uses a growth mindset to work and lead with authenticity, transparency, resilience, and empathy. Scientific, intellectual, and emotional/social curiosity creates the willingness and ability to innovate, make mistakes, learn and try again.
    • Clear and Direct Communication, Feedback and Conflict Resolution: Practice radical candor in your communication and participate in active Giving and receiving feedback frequently, with an open heart and mind creates psychological safety and promotes faster, individual, team and company growth.
  • Why We Do It:
    • Seek Meaning and Purpose and a Desire to be Part of Something Bigger than Yourself: Crave being part of a team that works together under shared values to achieve significant positive impact in the wider world. At Ora, we are creating vision beyond what we see.

What We Offer:

• Well Being: Offering comprehensive healthcare options in Medical, Dental and Vision beginning day 1.
• Flexible PTO & Unlimited Sick Time: Providing you the freedom to unwind and recharge when you need to in addition to 14 company paid holidays.
• Financial: Competitive salaries along with a 401K plan through Fidelity with company match.
• Family Support Care: Adoption and fertility assistance provided along with offering 16 weeks paid Parental Leave.
• Company Paid Life & Disability Insurance: Offering peace of mind to help you and your family feel secure.
• Remote & Wellness Reimbursement: We'll reimburse you to support your remote workspace and wellness purchases.
• Employee Assistance Program: No matter what issues you're facing, New Directions is here to help you and your family.
• Career Development Opportunities: Continued opportunities to grow and develop your career journey.
• Global Team: Opportunities to work with colleagues across the globe.
• Impact: A chance to research new ophthalmic therapies that will impact patients across the globe.

Our mission is to weave together people, processes, and technology to support innovation in ophthalmology around the world. We believe our business should be a force for good — to improve, heal, and change how we see. As a global company, our vibrant community and culture are nurtured by our core values: Prioritizing kindness, cultivating joy, operational excellence, and scientific rigor. Through our commitment to these values, we have built an inclusive and supportive work environment that fosters respect, accountability, and a fulfilling work-life balance for every team member.

We know a diverse workforce adds to our collective value and strength as an organization. People of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, disabled candidates and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Ora is proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to equal employment opportunity and fair, equitable compensation regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

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