Parexel has announced a new Contract Specialist job opening in India for professionals interested in clinical research proposals, budgeting, contracts, and commercial operations. The position is listed as remote across Hyderabad, Chandigarh, Bengaluru, Mohali, and Mumbai.

This opportunity is particularly relevant for candidates with a Bachelor’s degree in Life Science, Business, Languages, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. An MBA is preferred. Parexel also preferably seeks candidates with around two years of previous experience in project support, finance, contracting, or proposal-related work within a CRO or similar environment.

As a Contract Specialist at Parexel, the selected candidate will support the development of proposals, budgets, and client contracts while coordinating with subject matter experts and internal stakeholders. The role provides exposure to RFP management, clinical research budgeting, contract negotiation, pricing structures, and global clinical study operations.

Parexel Contract Specialist Job Overview

Who Can Apply?

Candidates meeting the following educational background can be considered for the Parexel Contract Specialist vacancy:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Life Science
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business
• Bachelor’s Degree in Languages
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience
• MBA candidates are preferred

The job description preferably seeks candidates with approximately two years of previous experience in project support, finance, contracting, or proposals in a CRO or similar environment.

Previous experience in proposal development is considered an advantage. Experience working in multinational or multicultural organizations is also beneficial.

Key Responsibilities

Proposal Development

The Contract Specialist will receive and analyze Requests for Proposals (RFPs) along with supporting study protocols or synopses. The candidate will ensure that the appropriate Subject Matter Experts are assigned and informed about each RFP.

Major proposal-related responsibilities include:

• Coordinate basic proposal preparation across strategic and operational functions.
• Support the preparation and review of proposals and associated budgets.
• Prepare and modify proposals and budgets based on SME feedback.
• Manage the RFP process from receipt through final delivery.
• Identify potential RFP barriers and risks that could affect completion.
• Develop appropriate mitigation strategies to address proposal-related risks.
• Obtain third-party quotations whenever required.
• Ensure proposals and budgets comply with RFP requirements and client specifications.
• Maintain accurate documents, files, metrics, and KPI-related information in designated systems.
• Support mapping of client bid grids as required.

Contract Development Responsibilities

The Parexel Contract Specialist role also involves significant contract and budget management responsibilities.

Selected candidates will:

• Create and finalize budgets and contracts according to departmental SOPs, guidance, and work instructions.
• Amend project budgets in collaboration with project and functional teams.
• Use internal tools and reports to appropriately modify client budgets.
• Develop contract strategies and plans to achieve timely client signatures.
• Prepare high-quality client deliverables within strict deadlines.
• Present appropriate rationale for cost changes in client grids.
• Participate in relevant internal and external stakeholder meetings.
• Build effective relationships with cross-functional teams and clients.
• Lead and facilitate client meetings when required.
• Support negotiation of costs and contractual terms.
• Prepare draft contract documents using Parexel templates.
• Identify contractual issues requiring input from finance, tax, or other internal stakeholders.
• Apply lessons learned from previous contracts to similar situations.
• Maintain accurate contract documentation and system data.

Additional Responsibilities

Candidates should be capable of effectively managing multiple deadlines and deliverables. Additional responsibilities include:

• Planning and organizing daily priorities.
• Preparing detailed handovers before planned time off.
• Developing proposal and contract plans.
• Structuring work according to priority and deadlines.
• Meeting internal and external expectations.
• Supporting client bid-grid mapping.
• Maintaining accurate documentation and records.

Skills Required for Parexel Contract Specialist

Parexel is looking for candidates with strong commercial, analytical, organizational, and communication capabilities.

Important skills include:

• Understanding of clinical study operations across different global regions.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Time management and organizational abilities.
• Ability to simultaneously handle multiple assignments.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.
• Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Ability to interact confidently with different organizational levels.
• Ability to lead internal meetings.
• Workload prioritization and deadline management.
• Ability to work effectively within a matrix organization.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Ability to identify when issues should be escalated.

Technical Knowledge

Candidates should have basic knowledge of:

• Proposal management principles
• Contract management
• Contractual terms
• Pricing structures
• Pricing tools
• Data systems
• Salesforce or similar platforms
• Microsoft Windows
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Outlook
• Databases

Knowledge of CRO operations and the commercial aspects of clinical research will be particularly valuable for this position.

Experience Required

Parexel states that approximately two years of previous experience is preferred in areas such as:

• Project Support
• Finance
• Contracting
• Proposal Management

Experience gained within a CRO or similar environment is preferred.

Candidates with previous proposal development experience may have an additional advantage.

Because the job description describes this experience as preferred, applicants should assess their overall alignment with the educational, technical, and functional requirements rather than treating it as a separately stated mandatory eligibility criterion.

Work-From-Home Requirements

The position is listed across multiple remote locations in India. Candidates should have the ability to work from home either partially or full-time depending on business and job requirements.

The role may also require irregular or extended working hours when necessary to meet client proposal deadlines.

Salary for Parexel Contract Specialist

Parexel has not disclosed a salary range in the provided job posting.

For structured job-listing purposes, an estimated market range for a Contract Specialist with relevant CRO, proposal, finance, or contracting experience in India may be approximately:

₹5,00,000 – ₹10,00,000 per year

Important: This is an estimated market range and not an officially disclosed Parexel salary. Actual compensation may vary according to experience, skills, location, internal compensation policies, and interview performance.

Why Consider This Parexel Opportunity?

This role can provide valuable professional exposure to several commercial and operational aspects of the clinical research industry, including:

• Global clinical research operations
• RFP management
• Proposal development
• Contract management
• Clinical trial budgeting
• Pricing structures
• Client negotiations
• Cross-functional stakeholder management
• CRO business operations

It can be particularly relevant for professionals looking to develop a career at the intersection of clinical research, contracts, finance, proposals, and business operations.

How to Apply

Application Link