Associate Principal, Qualitative Research, QualityMetric/Patient Centered Solutions

IQVIA provides scientific services spanning clinical trials, real world evidence, and consulting in all areas of the product lifecycle. The Patient Centered Solutions (PCS) team leads the industry in generating data to ensure that the patient voice is incorporated into the development and commercialization of medication and other drug/non-drug interventions. We focus on understanding and meeting the needs of our clients – mostly life science/pharmaceutical companies – through the application of broad consulting expertise and technical scientific knowledge to design scientifically rigorous research. This research is broad and includes qualitative (e.g. interviews, focus groups), quantitative (e.g. clinical outcome assessments (COAs)/patient-reported outcomes (PROS), preference research) and passive (e.g. digital health technology tools) approaches to understand patient, caregiver and healthcare professional experiences and expectations of disease and treatment.

To meet our client expectations and retain the excellent reputation built up over time the IQVIA PCS team is committed to recruiting, training and supporting driven individuals who have both consulting skills and life science skills that can be applied to PCS research activities. Individuals joining us are assured of a rewarding and progressive career in patient-focused research. You’ll have the opportunity to address challenging client issues, across multiple geographies with a hands-on influence in developing and delivering solutions.  We operate in a truly multi-cultural, collegial and collaborative work environment that is rich in development and growth.

About the Role

This position plays a key role in the scientific advancements in the qualitative patient outcomes research team. Staff in this role must be well-published and have strong expertise in the evaluation, selection, development, and validation of clinical outcome assessment measures for clinical trials and observational studies, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in particular. Experience in developing evidence dossiers and briefing books to support product labeling based on PRO and other COA endpoints consistent with the Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance is required. This position supports a broad range of studies aimed to better understand the patient’s experience related to conditions, their treatments, and the healthcare system. This position has a key role as a decision-maker for growth to new methods and approaches, to develop key relationships for business development and mentor current scientific staff in business development efforts, to mentor senior- and mid-level scientific staff, and assists in developing team best practices and training materials.

Responsibilities

You will be responsible for managing or leading multiple consulting projects and ensuring on-time and on-budget delivery for clients in the pharmaceutical or related industries by:

• Managing and contributing to the execution of a large portfolio of PCS COA Consulting projects, in the design, development and delivery of client deliverables and presentations; from project kick off until close, including overseeing the technical and scientific approaches

• Planning, organizing and managing resources (internal and external) to bring about the successful completion of specific project goals and objectives

• Leading interactions with clients in the pharmaceutical industry for business development; serving as key point of contact with client, and developing relationships through face-to-face discussions or workshops, telephone, and email contact

• Identifying opportunities for expansion of PCS COA Consulting service offerings, internal and external to IQVIA, by developing and/or elevating new business opportunities through the identification of follow-on work and new leads

• Leveraging business experience and acumen in identifying strategic alternatives and project approach to client questions and to elevate our capabilities to deliver world-class solutions for clients

• Sharing PCS subject matter expertise with others to elevate our capabilities to deliver world-class solutions for clients

• Providing follow-up with client after project deliverable has been completed to ensure client satisfaction

• Sharing information and provide efficient communication with delivery teams, to resolve escalated issues

• Supporting the development of intellectual property for use on future engagements

• Managing the process of proposal preparation and/or modifications including overall bid integrity

• Developing broader and deeper knowledge of consulting methodologies and pharmaceutical market through on the job experience and training

• Providing direction, advice and intellectual leadership to clients and delivery teams; directing consulting teams through consistent participation in team meetings

• Providing high level input to, and ensures the development of, client reports and presentations and delivery of all or significant portions of findings to client

• Supporting in PCS community building with activities including recruitment, coaching, management of PCS resources in Europe and network development (both juniors and seniors) to collaborate with for delivery and/or BD purposes

You will contribute to the building of the practice by:

• Leading ad hoc work streams on critical people-related issues such as recruitment, learning, and development

• Developing templates and training materials to streamline and optimize new project start-up and team-member onboarding

• Developing formal Project Management processes for COA Consulting services; training and mentoring Associates, Associate Consultants, Consultants, and Managers in these Project Management processes

• Providing senior guidance and training to junior-level staff

• Serving as a coach to 3-4 staff

About You
 

Requirements:

• PhD in a relevant field (or Master’s degree with additional experience)

• 8+ years post-doctoral experience (or 12+ years with Master’s degree)

• 5-8 years professional experience in consulting within the pharmaceutical industry

• Should be well-published and have strong expertise in the evaluation, selection, development, and validation of clinical outcome assessment measures for clinical trials and observational studies, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) measures in particular.

• Experience in developing evidence dossiers and briefing books to support product labeling based on PRO and other COA endpoints consistent with the Food and Drug Administration PRO guidance is required.

• 5+ years direct experience designing and conducting qualitative research in healthcare industry; prefer experience in life sciences

• 2+ years project management experience focused on multinational strategic consulting projects

• Demonstrable analytical, interpretative. and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of regulatory guidance documents and scientific guidelines relating to clinical outcome assessments

• Understanding of instrument development and validation process

• Able to draft abstracts, posters, oral presentations, and manuscripts

• Able to conceptually fit individual scientific and strategy tasks together to determine how the overall project goal will be achieved

• Able to design a qualitative analysis plan and generate a report fit for client submission

• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills including presentations, chairing meetings, workshop facilitation, business and report writing

• Strong capability in managing large and/or multiple projects and juggling priorities so that deadlines are met while retaining consistently high quality outcomes

• Experience working in sizable/ multi-disciplined teams and leading staff

• Experience in developing credible relationships with senior level managers and executives in the pharmaceutical/healthcare industry

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with others in and across the organization to accomplish team goals

• Ability to contribute to business development through the identification of leads, development of proposals etc.

• Knowledge of key issues and current developments in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries

• Knowledge of consulting methodologies, tools and techniques

• Excellent organizational, time management, and problem solving skills

In addition to the skills and experience above, candidates should have:

• Fluency in English (spoken and written)

• A willingness and ability to travel (generally 2 trips per year, could be more)

• Right to live and work in the recruiting country