When our values align, there's no limit to what we can achieve.
At Parexel, we all share the same goal - to improve the world's health. From clinical trials to regulatory, consulting, and market access, every clinical development solution we provide is underpinned by something special - a deep conviction in what we do.
Each of us, no matter what we do at Parexel, contributes to the development of a therapy that ultimately will benefit a patient. We take our work personally, we do it with empathy and we're committed to making a difference.
We are currently looking to recruit an experienced Director RWD Strategy to join us in selected European locations
Step into the forefront of healthcare innovation with Parexel’s Real World Research (RWR) team, where data meets real-life impact to transform clinical development. As part of our RWD Strategy team, you’ll shape how cutting-edge real-world data is accessed, integrated, and translated into actionable insights that inform decisions across the product lifecycle. This Director RWD Strategy role offers a unique opportunity to be hands-on to lead high-impact strategy, forge partnerships with global data networks, and deliver solutions that accelerate patient-centric research. Join us to redefine what’s possible with real-world data—and make a difference at scale!
Picture Yourself At Parexel:
The Director, RWD Strategy – Europe is responsible for identifying and implementing innovative access to real-world scientific data (RWD) within the region of both broad and deep patient clinical domains. This includes being proactive and determining the best methods for partnering with health systems, data vendors, national/regional patient registries, disease-specific registries and other novel sources of real-world scientific data. This is an advanced role that requires hands-on RWD experience and leadership competencies, accountability, relationship management skills and business acumen. Individuals must ensure that the application of RWD for a given solution is fit-for-purpose and is used in a manner compliant with the data use agreement and applicable law.
The Director, RWD Strategy – Europe will be enthusiastic and hands-on to develop high quality proposal material, engage with clients during bid proposals meetings, partner with multiple data partners across the region, and create RWD strategies for the region. This role offers keen insights into innovative methodologies such as AI use in RWE, PASS and therapy area applications using RWD as well as specific expertise in EMA regulatory guidance to chart a successful path forward for generating evidence from RWD.
What You'll Do At Parexel:
Proposal Development | Science | Data Insights | Vendor Management:
Proposal Development and Client Bid Proposals
Responsible for hands-on development of high-quality, client-ready RWD Strategy-related materials for client opportunities via PPT and Word documents
Attend and represent RWD Strategy for Europe opportunities with clients
Identify opportunities where RWD will be a value-add and positioning RWD Strategies to deliver winning solutions
Scientific and Real-World Data Asset Access
Responsible for the execution of a global RWD acquisition strategy within the region
Solution for gaps in Parexel’s scientific and real-world data coverage. Identify, assess, and recommend options to expand access to RWD and scientific data to fill gaps in Parexel’s coverage within the region
Perform return-on-investment assessments that inform decision-making on whether to strategically partner with select data providers
Operate governance frameworks for regional RWD partners and suppliers
Responsible for specifications being up-to-date in the data catalog (e.g., new functionality), as well as training and use across business partners
Ensure that data access and use is fully operational
Evolve regional data acquisition with business partner strategy and needs
Monitor KPIs used to ensure impactful use of data. Remediate to deliver return-on-investment as required
Vendor / Provider management
Monitor partner capabilities and services, making recommendations on ways in which the partnership can be strengthened (e.g., improve direct access, feasibility turnaround)
Work with Procurement/LRM to establish/manage qualification, due diligence and contracting
Follow up on how projects are going and what can be improved in terms of the PXL-partner relationship
Suppliers at minimum to include EMR / EHR; claims; pharmacy; lab, specialty data such as biomarker, genetic, and imaging; registries; clinical outcomes assessments, investigators or expert networks and similar sources of patient data beyond randomized clinical trial data
Infrastructure & Platform Design
Partners with technology teams to ensure region-specific requirements for system architecture are met
Contribute to descriptive content that can be used in capability presentations, proposals, protocols/SAPs, study reports, etc.
Identifies and surfaces regional observations and trends that can inform further growth
Relationship Management
Develop and maintain working relationships with SDO core solutions teams and functional teams, Parexel business partners, clients and vendors, providers; at minimum, Legal and Risk Management, Procurement, Data Privacy, Project team personnel
Maintaining relationships with regulatory bodies, organizations, and staying up to date on the current RWD landscape in Europe
What We’re Looking For (Required Qualifications):
10+ years of industry experience (CRO/Pharma/Data Vendor) with the ability to demonstrate the following:
Master’s degree in biomedical informatics, public health, data science, life sciences or related field
Advanced degree (or equivalent experience) in biomedical informatics, public health, data science, life sciences or related field desired
In depth understanding of the clinical research process and business, medicines and medical device development, healthcare market and related sectors
Experience with major patient data models (e.g. CDISC, OMOP, LOINC, FHIR, MEDra, SnoMED etc.)
Broad cross-functional experience in the healthcare, scientific and real-world data environment
Demonstrated ability to apply scientific or real-world data solutions to address clinical or commercial questions and needs
Experience with RWD bid proposal preparation
Experience in budgets and cost evaluation of RWD based solutions
Understanding of project management principles
Effective translation of strategy into executable plans
Leadership skills in an evolving environment – change management
Experienced in establishing meaningful external partnerships & collaborations with health systems, vendor companies, and individual contributors within the region
Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities
Technical skills preparing and processing RWD for application and analysis
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent customer focus (internal and external)
Skills Required
- 10+ years of industry experience (CRO/Pharma/Data Vendor)
- Master's degree in biomedical informatics, public health, data science, life sciences or related field
- Broad cross-functional experience in the healthcare and scientific environment
- Experienced in budgets and cost evaluation of RWD based solutions
- Excellent customer focus (internal and external)
Parexel Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Parexel and has not been reviewed or approved by Parexel.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage is described as comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA options, and company-paid disability insurance. Descriptions often portray the package as strong or “top notch,” adding meaningful value.
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Retirement Support — Retirement offerings include a 401(k) with company matching and, in some regions, generous pension contributions. Core financial protections are emphasized as a solid part of the total rewards.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Time-off programs include ample PTO or flexible/unlimited RTO alongside flexible schedules and remote/hybrid options. Work-life balance support from managers is highlighted as a practical advantage.
Parexel Insights
What We Do
Parexel is among the world’s largest clinical research organizations (CROs), providing the full range of Phase I to IV clinical development services to help life-saving treatments reach patients faster. Leveraging the breadth of our clinical, regulatory and therapeutic expertise, our team of more than 21,000 global professionals collaborates with biopharmaceutical leaders, emerging innovators and sites to design and deliver clinical trials with patients in mind, increasing access and participation to make clinical research a care option for anyone, anywhere. Our depth of industry knowledge and strong track record gained over the past 40 years is moving the industry forward and advancing clinical research in healthcare’s most complex areas, while our innovation ecosystem offers the best solutions to make every phase of the clinical trial process more efficient. With the people, insight and focus on operational excellence, we work With HeartTM every day to treat patients with dignity and continuously learn from their experiences, so every trial makes a difference. For more information, visit parexel.com. Community Guidelines Because Parexel’s social media channels are open to the general public and employees, we are not responsible for views expressed other than our own. However, we do not tolerate posts that are: • Abusive, harassing or threatening to others. • Defamatory, offensive, obscene, vulgar or depicting violence. • Hateful targeting by race/ethnicity, age, color, creed, religion, gender, sexual preference or orientation, nationality or political beliefs. • Sexually explicit or pornographic. • Fraudulent, deceptive, libelous, misleading or unlawful. • Referencing criminal or illegal activity. • Spamming. We reserve the right to remove any comments that do not adhere to our guidelines as well as report users who violate the rules of our page.
