JobsAdvocate Health

Manager, Business Development, National Center for Clinical Trials (NCCT)

Advocate Health · Oak Brook, IL

Posted Aug 20, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through a clinical trial deal you built from first contact with a sponsor all the way to signed contract. What did the pipeline look like at each stage?

whether the candidate has actually run a full sales cycle in clinical trials rather than just parts of one

Tell me about a time you had to bring legal, finance, and compliance teams together to get a study opportunity across the finish line. What got in the way and how did you handle it?

cross-functional coordination skills in a matrixed, regulated environment

Describe a proposal or pitch you built for a sponsor that didn't land the way you expected. What did you change afterward?

resilience and ability to learn from lost deals rather than just recount wins

Tell me about a long-term sponsor relationship you built that led to repeat business. What did you do to keep it going?

ability to sustain relationships over time rather than just close one-off deals

How do you keep track of industry trends and competitor activity in the clinical trials space, and can you give an example of something you learned that changed how you approached a prospect?

whether market intelligence gathering is a real habit or just a listed skill

Technical

What CRM system have you used to manage a pipeline, and how did you structure it to track deals from lead to contract execution?

real hands-on familiarity with CRM tools like Salesforce, not just passing familiarity

How does your understanding of clinical trial management systems shape the way you talk to sponsors about site capabilities?

depth of operational knowledge behind the sales pitch, not just relationship skills

What KPIs have you used before to measure business development performance, and how did you report on them to leadership?

whether the candidate can operationalize accountability, not just talk about relationships

What do you know about how academic medical centers or large site networks differ from smaller research sites when it comes to selling clinical trial services?

whether the candidate's experience actually matches the scale and complexity of Advocate Health's environment

Situational

How do you decide which therapeutic areas or sponsors to prioritize when you have limited time and a long list of possible leads?

strategic judgment and ability to align business development effort with organizational priorities

A pharma sponsor asks you for site feasibility numbers you don't have yet and wants an answer by Friday. What do you do?

how the candidate handles pressure and incomplete information without overpromising

How do you negotiate contract terms with a CRO when their priorities and the health system's priorities don't line up?

negotiation skill and ability to protect institutional interests while keeping the relationship intact

If a sponsor tells you a competing site network offered better terms, how do you respond in the moment?

composure and value-based selling versus reactive price matching

You're six weeks into a deal and the sponsor suddenly goes quiet. What's your next move?

persistence and judgment in managing stalled pipeline opportunities

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The full job description

As published by Advocate Health.

Department: 10000 NCCT (National Center for Clinical Trials) - Divisional Administrative Expense Status: Full time Benefits Eligible: Yes Hou rs Per Week: 40 Schedule Details/Additional Information: Full time employee, regular working hours Pay Range: $54.90 - $82.35 Job Summary: The Business Development Manager, plays a pivotal role in advancing the mission of the National Center for Clinical Trials (NCCT) Sales by identifying, cultivating, and securing clinical trial opportunities with industry sponsors and other stakeholders. This individual will report to the Director of Business development, work closely with Business Development and Operational leadership to drive growth, enhance visibility, and expand the clinical trials portfolio across Advocate Health. Major Responsibilities: Pipeline Management     • Identify  and engage with potential industry partners to expand NCCT’s clinical trial opportunities, focusing on therapeutic areas aligned with Advocate Health’s strategic priorities.    • Develop and  maintain  a robust pipeline of business development opportunities, leading  progress  from  initial  contact through contract execution.    Collaboration and Coordination     • Work cross-functionally with NCCT leadership, researchers, legal, finance, and compliance teams to ensure seamless onboarding and execution of new study opportunities.    Market Intelligence     • Monitor industry trends, competitor activity, and emerging opportunities to inform strategic planning and positioning.    • Conduct research to  identify  new study opportunities and customer needs.    Proposal Development     • Lead the creation and development of tailored proposals including negotiating terms and conditions, presentations, and pitch materials for prospective sponsor partners,  showcasing  NCCT’s capabilities and value proposition.    Relationship Management     • Foster long-term relationships with sponsors and CROs, ensuring satisfaction and  identifying  opportunities for repeat or expanded engagement.    • Arrange business meetings with prospective clients, based on guidance from Business Development leadership.    Performance Metrics     • Develop, track and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to business development activities, including deal volume, revenue impact, partner feedback, etc.    Cross-Functional Collaboration & Additional Duties     • Collaborate with cross-functional teams across clinical, operational, and administrative domains to ensure alignment and execution of strategic initiatives.    Licensure, Registration, and/or Certification Required: None Required. Education Required: Bachelor’s degree in business or related field   Experience Required: • 3+ years of experience in business development, sales, or sales support roles     • 3+ years of experience in a matrixed organization delivering clinical trial solutions    • 2+ years of experience using CRM systems (e.g., Salesforce) to track pipeline and activities     Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required: • Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS) and CRM platforms.    • Strategic thinker with a proactive,   solutions -oriented mindset.    • Knowledge of clinical trial operations, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.    • Strong   negotiation,   and relationship-building skills .     • Strong collaboration,   influence   and communication skills to partner effectively with relevant stakeholders.    • Highly developed organizational, problem   solving   and analytical skills, with the ability to prioritize time-sensitive tasks.    • Ability to work independently, make   decisions   and ensure project progress.   • Experience in business development within the clinical trial industry, preferably in selling clinical trial site services    • Proven  track record  of  establishing  and nurturing relationships with clinical trial sponsors, including leading pharmaceutical, biotechnology organizations, and Clinical Research Organizations (CROs)    • Experience working with academic medical centers, integrated health systems, or large site networks.    • Strong understanding of clinical trial operations and site feasibility     • Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.    DISCLAIMER All responsibilities and requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only responsibilities to be performed by an employee occupying this job or position.  Employees must follow any other job-related instructions and perform any other job-related duties requested by their leaders. Our Commitment to You: Advocate Health offers a comprehensive suite of Total Rewards: benefits and well-being programs, competitive compensation, generous retirement offerings, programs that invest in your career development and so much more – so you can live fully at and away from work, including: Compensation • Base compensation listed within the listed pay range based on factors such as qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and/or training • Premium pay such as shift, on call, and more based on a teammate's job • Incentive pay for select positions • Opportunity for annual increases based on performance Benefits and more • Paid Time Off programs • Health and welfare benefits such as medical, dental, vision, life, and Short- and Long-Term Disability • Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses • Family benefits such as adoption assistance and paid parental leave • Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs • Educational Assistance Program Note: Eligibility for programs listed above may depend on your FTE or status (e.g., full-time, part-time, per diem, temporary, etc.); please ask a Recruiter for more information during an interview. About Advocate Health  Advocate Health is the third-largest nonprofit, integrated health system in the United States, created from the combination of Advocate Aurora Health and Atrium Health. Providing care under the names Advocate Health Care in Illinois; Atrium Health in the Carolinas, Georgia and Alabama; and Aurora Health Care in Wisconsin, Advocate Health is a national leader in clinical innovation, health outcomes, consumer experience and value-based care. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Advocate Health services nearly 6 million patients and is engaged in hundreds of clinical trials and research studies, with Wake Forest University School of Medicine serving as the academic core of the enterprise. It is nationally recognized for its expertise in cardiology, neurosciences, oncology, pediatrics and rehabilitation, as well as organ transplants, burn treatments and specialized musculoskeletal programs. Advocate Health employs 155,000 teammates across 69 hospitals and over 1,000 care locations, and offers one of the nation’s largest graduate medical education programs with over 2,000 residents and fellows across more than 200 programs. Committed to providing equitable care for all, Advocate Health provides more than $6 billion in annual community benefits.

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