Senior Director, Patient-Centered Endpoints

Job Overview:

The Senior Director, Patient-Centered Endpoints provides strategic scientific leadership for client engagements, guiding evidence generation strategies, study design, analytical approaches, and regulatory considerations. The role oversees the delivery of complex research programs, ensuring scientific excellence, operational execution, and the development of high-quality client deliverables, including protocols, reports, and other key study outputs.

As a senior client-facing leader, the Senior Director cultivates and expands client relationships, leads business development activities including proposal development and budgeting, and serves as a trusted advisor to support client and business objectives. The Director also provides leadership, mentorship, and performance oversight for assigned project staff and may manage one or more direct reports.

Summary of Responsibilities:

Science

• Lead the development of evidence generation strategies, study design in collaboration with clients.
• Provide scientific leadership and strategic guidance for the design, conduct and interpretation of patient-centered research, in collaboration with clients.
• Oversee development of study protocols, reports, and data collection instruments, including surveys and interview guides.
• Direct all phases of study execution, ensuring scientific rigor, quality, regulatory compliance, and client satisfaction.
• Lead qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, analyses, and dissemination of study findings.
• Apply expertise in patient-centered outcomes research, healthcare, clinical, and regulatory environments.
• Lead development of scientific publications, presentations, and external scientific communications.
• Support regulatory interactions, submissions, and scientific engagements with health authorities and key stakeholders.

Project Management

• Foster effective communication and collaboration across internal and external project teams, clients, and key stakeholders.
• Lead client meetings and strategic operational discussions to support successful engagement delivery.
• Provide oversight and accountability for project execution, including leadership of assigned project staff.
• Ensure adherence to Fortrea SOPs, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and mandatory training obligations.
• Champion process improvement initiatives and support the implementation of the best operational practices.
• Perform all other duties as needed or assigned.

People Leadership

• Lead, coach, and develop team members to build organizational capability and drive high performance.
• Manage and develop one or more direct reports, including performance management, talent development, and employee engagement.
• Ensure compliance with Fortrea people management expectations, policies, SOPs, and leadership requirements.

Business Development

• Identify, pursue, and cultivate new business opportunities through internal partnerships, existing client relationships, and external networks.
• Develop and maintain strategic client relationships, serving as a trusted advisor and partner.
• Oversee the development of project proposals from initial drafting through contracting.
• Support the development of strategic initiatives and lead business development activities.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally 10% to 20%, based on business and client needs.

Qualifications (Minimum Required):

• Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Health Outcomes Research, Public Health, Psychology, Epidemiology, Health Services Research, or a related field; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Expertise in research methods and research implementation
• Demonstrated knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Patient-Focused Drug Development (PFDD), and patient-centered outcomes research methodologies.
• Experience supporting regulatory interactions, submissions, scientific communications, and engagements with health authorities.
• Experience developing and maintaining client relationships.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and collaborate effectively across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Language Skills Required:
  • Speaking: English
  • Writing/Reading: English

Experience (Minimum Required):  

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree and 15+ years of experience in a social science or health care research setting, or
• PhD and 10+ years of experience in a social science or health care research setting, or
• An equivalent combination of education and experience to successfully perform the key responsibilities of the job.
• Experience leading complex client engagements and multidisciplinary research programs.
• Experience managing staff, mentoring scientific professionals, and leading cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated track record of scientific leadership, client engagement, and business development success.

Preferred Qualifications Include:

• PhD or advanced graduate degree in a relevant scientific discipline.
• 15+ years of experience in a social science or health care research setting
• Experience engaging with regulatory agencies including FDA, EMA, or other global health authorities.
• Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice guidelines and Patient-Focused Drug Development guidance.
• Strong communication, organization, analytical skills and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to influence clients, senior stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Occasional drives to site locations with occasional travel both domestic and international.

• Frequently stationery for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying, or moving of objects, including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Regular and consistent attendance.
• Varied hours may be required.