Tender Operations and Contracts Specialist, 6-month contract, Part-Time.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Type of Role: Contract position, Inside IR35
Contract length: 6 months
Working Schedule: Part time, 20 hours per week (five days x four hours)
Location: Rome, Italy, Hybrid, 3 days on site and 2 days working from home.

Looking for opportunities with purpose, impact and possibilities? Our client, Vertex, is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation. As they grow their pipeline at pace, they are strengthening their reputation for creating transformative medicines for people with serious diseases.

Position Summary
The Tender Operations and Contracts Specialist supports the Tender Office in coordinating operational and administrative activities related to public tenders for pharmaceutical product across Italy, Spain and Portugal.
The role serves as the main point of contact between internal stakeholders and external tender service providers, ensuring the timely collection, validation and management of all documentation required for tender participation.
The position also supports the assessment of newly published tenders, reviews commercial and contractual documentation, coordinates tender-related bonds, manages tender data and reporting, and contributes to the efficient execution of tender activities throughout the entire tender lifecycle.
The role is also responsible for maintaining the Tender Dashboard and Tender Repository, ensuring accurate tracking of tender activities and reliable reporting to support operational execution and business decision-making throughout the tender lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinate operational activities related to public tenders.
• Liaise with external tender service providers and internal stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate tender submissions.
• Coordinate the collection and maintenance of corporate documentation required for tender participation.
• Review published tenders, evaluating participation requirements, estimated quantities and tender base prices in collaboration with the Tenders Supervisor, Sales and Market Access.
• Review commercial documentation, pricing schedules and post-award contracts before internal approval.
• Support the management of contract amendments, extensions and approved price changes.
• Maintain and continuously update the Tender Dashboard, ensuring accurate tracking of tender status, products, quantities, contract duration, key deadlines and other relevant tender information to support business planning, reporting and decision-making.
• Maintain the Tender Repository and Tender Management database, ensuring accurate tracking of tenders, contracts, products, quantities and key milestones.
• Prepare reports and support business planning through accurate tender data management.
• Coordinate the management of bid and performance bonds, including assessment of bond requirements, coverage periods and amounts, liaison with the external insurance broker and the US Insurance Department, monitoring renewals, maintaining the bond tracking report and ensuring the timely release of bonds upon contract completion.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Economics, Law, Pharmacy, Life Sciences or related disciplines preferred.
• Alternatively, a high school diploma combined with significant relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience in public tender management or tender operations, preferably within the pharmaceutical or healthcare sector.
• Previous experience in a pharmaceutical company and familiarity with public procurement processes are highly desirable.
• Good understanding of public procurement procedures.
• Strong organizational and coordination skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Good analytical skills.
• Advanced Microsoft Office skills, particularly Excel.
• Experience with Tender Management systems is preferred.
• English (minimum B2); Spanish is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Proactive and solution-oriented mindset.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• High level of accuracy, integrity and confidentiality.