Job Responsibilities

Are you a Clinical Project Manager who can independently lead global Phase I clinical trials from study start-up through closeout while remaining deeply engaged in the operational execution that drives successful early-phase development?

This is an opportunity to join a highly collaborative, fast-paced clinical operations team supporting innovative Phase I virology programs within a sponsor-dedicated environment. The team is seeking an experienced clinical project manager who thrives in early development, demonstrates exceptional operational leadership, and can confidently guide cross-functional teams through the unique complexities of first-in-human and early-phase studies.

Success in this role requires someone who is highly organized, proactive, and comfortable balancing strategic oversight with hands-on execution. You should enjoy solving operational challenges, leading productive meetings, partnering closely with vendors and cross-functional stakeholders, and proactively driving studies forward with minimal supervision.

This is not a role for someone who simply oversees study activities from a high level. The ideal candidate understands every phase of the clinical trial lifecycle because they have personally managed studies end-to-end and know how to anticipate issues before they impact timelines, quality, or deliverables.

Leadership values individuals who bring strong initiative, emotional intelligence, accountability, and a collaborative mindset. The team is supportive, highly engaged, and committed to operational excellence.

While remote candidates throughout the U.S. will be considered, preference will be given to candidates located in or near Foster City, California, with the ability to work onsite 2–3 days per week.

As a Clinical Project Manager II – Virology (Phase I), you will lead operational execution for global early-phase clinical trials while serving as the primary driver of study delivery across the entire clinical trial lifecycle.

You will oversee timelines, budgets, vendors, operational risks, study execution, and cross-functional collaboration while ensuring studies remain compliant, inspection-ready, and aligned with sponsor expectations.

This position requires someone who can independently navigate the complexities of early-phase clinical development with minimal direction while fostering collaboration across functional teams and external partners.

Strong vendor oversight, meeting leadership, communication skills, and operational ownership are essential to success.

• Lead and manage global Phase I virology clinical trials from study start-up through closeout with minimal supervision

• Drive overall study execution, timelines, deliverables, risks, budgets, and operational performance

• Provide oversight and accountability for CROs, vendors, and cross-functional partners to ensure high-quality study execution

• Build strong collaborative relationships with Clinical Operations, Data Management, Regulatory, Medical, Clinical Supply, Biometrics, and other stakeholders

• Lead study team meetings by establishing clear agendas, facilitating productive discussions, documenting key decisions, and ensuring timely completion of action items

• Proactively identify operational risks, develop mitigation strategies, and drive issue resolution before timelines or quality are impacted

• Guide study teams through key transitions across the clinical trial lifecycle while ensuring seamless operational execution

• Maintain oversight of study documentation, trial metrics, operational deliverables, and inspection readiness activities

• Ensure compliance with GCP, SOPs, regulatory requirements, and sponsor expectations

• Foster accountability across study teams while creating an environment of collaboration, transparency, and shared ownership

• Contribute to process improvements and operational best practices that enhance study execution and team performance

• Bachelor's degree in a scientific or healthcare-related field (or equivalent combination of education and experience)

• Significant Clinical Project Management experience with responsibility for independently managing clinical trials across the full study lifecycle (5+ years)

• Demonstrated experience leading Phase I and/or other early-phase clinical studies

• Strong understanding of the complete clinical trial lifecycle, with the ability to independently manage study transitions from start-up through closeout

• Proven experience overseeing CROs, vendors, and external partners within global clinical trials

• Excellent project management, organizational, and operational leadership skills

• Strong meeting facilitation skills with the ability to lead productive discussions, build alignment, and ensure accountability for follow-up actions

• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated emotional intelligence and professionalism when working across diverse stakeholder groups

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams while effectively balancing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated ability to proactively identify risks, solve problems independently, and drive successful study execution with minimal direction

• Virology clinical trial experience strongly preferred

• Experience managing global Phase I clinical trials within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO environments

• Stable career progression demonstrating increasing responsibility and leadership in clinical project management

• Experience working within sponsor-dedicated or embedded sponsor models

• Experience managing multiple vendors and complex cross-functional partnerships

• Demonstrated success working in highly collaborative, fast-paced, execution-focused environments

The ideal candidate is someone who:

• Takes initiative and requires minimal direction

• Brings a positive, solution-oriented mindset to challenges

• Is comfortable making decisions and driving projects forward independently

• Leads with professionalism, emotional intelligence, and sound judgment

• Builds trust quickly across cross-functional teams and external partners

• Values accountability, transparency, and respectful collaboration

• Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment where priorities evolve and adaptability is essential

• Lead innovative Phase I virology studies with meaningful visibility and operational impact

• Join a collaborative team that values mentorship, accountability, and continuous professional growth

• Partner with experienced clinical operations professionals who are highly engaged and execution-focused

• Gain exposure to cutting-edge virology programs within a respected sponsor-dedicated environment

• Take ownership of global clinical trials from start-up through closeout while directly influencing study success

• Work in a role that values operational excellence, proactive leadership, and continuous process improvement

• Enjoy the flexibility of a remote work environment while maintaining close collaboration with sponsor leadership and study teams

• Excellent opportunity for experienced Clinical Project Managers seeking broader ownership and continued career growth within early-phase clinical development

At  Syneos Health, we believe in providing an environment and culture in which Our People can thrive, develop and advance. We reward and recognize our people by providing valuable benefits and a quality-of-life balance. The benefits for this position may include a company car or car allowance, Health benefits to include Medical, Dental and Vision, Company match 401k, eligibility to participate in Employee Stock Purchase Plan, Eligibility to earn commissions/bonus based on company and individual performance, and flexible paid time off (PTO) and sick time.  Because certain states and municipalities have regulated paid sick time requirements, eligibility for paid sick time may vary depending on where you work. Syneos complies with all applicable federal, state, and municipal paid sick time requirements.

Salary Range:

The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high of the Syneos Health range for this position. Actual salary will vary based on various factors such as the candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role.

Additional Information

Tasks, duties, and responsibilities as listed in this job description are not exhaustive.  The Company, at its sole discretion and with no prior notice, may assign other tasks, duties, and job responsibilities. Equivalent experience, skills, and/or education will also be considered so qualifications of incumbents may differ from those listed in the Job Description.  The Company, at its sole discretion, will determine what constitutes as equivalent to the qualifications described above.   Further, nothing contained herein should be construed to create an employment contract.  Occasionally, required skills/experiences for jobs are expressed in brief terms.  Any language contained herein is intended to fully comply with all obligations imposed by the legislation of each country in which it operates, including the implementation of the EU Equality Directive, in relation to the recruitment and employment of its employees.