Contingent Workforce Program Lead

Driving global contingent workforce excellence through compliance, governance, and strategic workforce solutions.

R&D Partners is seeking an experienced Contingent Workforce Program Lead to support the continued evolution and expansion of a global contingent workforce program for a leading biotechnology company. In this highly visible role, you will collaborate with business leaders and cross-functional stakeholders across HR, Shared Services, Procurement, Finance, Legal, and regional teams to scale the program into additional countries and markets, strengthen governance and compliance, and identify opportunities to improve operational effectiveness.

The ideal candidate brings deep expertise in contingent workforce management, supplier coordination, compliance requirements, and workforce operations, with a particular focus on Europe and EMEA. This individual will play a key role in advancing strategic initiatives, shaping scalable processes, and serving as a trusted advisor to stakeholders across the region.

Please note that to be considered for this role you must have the right to work in this location.

Responsibilities:

Contingent Workforce – MSP:

• Support the delivery and continuous improvement of the contingent workforce program, focusing on MSP-supported labor solutions.
• Collaborate with the MSP and internal partners to execute contingent labor processes and resolve service delivery issues.
• Oversee onboarding, compliance, and governance activities related to contingent workers, including lifecycle management and regional process adherence.
• Assist with expanding contingent workforce processes into new countries, sites, or business units in coordination with global and regional stakeholders.
• Enforce compliance with internal policies and local regulations regarding worker classification and co-employment controls.
• Promote adoption of workforce tools and controls through strategic communication and stakeholder engagement.

Procurement – Category Management:

• Lead procurement activities focused on external workforce category management and supplier coordination.
• Analyze demand and sourcing needs to align procurement activities with broader category strategies.
• Manage supplier selection, onboarding, and performance tracking in line with business requirements.
• Support compliance checks and ensure supplier processes are handled efficiently and in accordance with internal standards.

Governance, Change, and Continuous Improvement:

• Champion continuous improvement as a change agent for procurement and contingent workforce activities.
• Optimize process efficiency, controls, and user experience across service delivery streams.
• Support documentation workflow updates, training, and communication materials.
• Proactively identify risks and support mitigation through effective issue management.

Stakeholder Management:

• Foster collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders and MSP partners.
• Negotiate solutions and resolve complex issues with senior leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Deliver clear, professional communication across diverse functions and geographies.

Key Skills and Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, or equivalent experience.
• Minimum of 7 years of experience in procurement, contingent workforce management, workforce solutions, staffing, MSP operations, or a related field.
• Experience supporting or working within an MSP-contingent labor program is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading, building, or transforming contingent workforce programs in complex enterprise environments.
• Strong knowledge of European-EMEA labor markets, worker classification, and co-employment compliance.
• Experience supporting global or multinational contingent workforce programs.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives involving compliance, process improvement, governance, or workforce operations.
• Strong understanding of contingent workforce compliance considerations, including worker classification, tenure management, and co-employment risk.
• Experience partnering with senior stakeholders across HR, Procurement, Legal, and business functions.
• Demonstrated success influencing change and driving operational excellence in a matrixed organization.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Strategic/Functional: Deep understanding of procurement category management and external workforce operating models.
• Compliance: High attention to detail with a strong focus on mitigating labor risks and regulatory adherence.
• Analytical: Data-driven mindset with the ability to translate trends into actionable insights.
• Communication: Exceptional influencing and stakeholder management skills; ability to bridge functions and cultures.
• Adaptability: Proven track record of managing ambiguity and delivering solutions across diverse time zones.

For more information, please contact Emma Miles.

If you are interested in applying to this exciting opportunity, then please click ‘Apply’ or to speak to one of our specialists visit the ‘Contact Us’ page.

R&D Partners is a leading life sciences recruiter focused on finding exceptional people and matching them with the finest positions across the globe. R&D Partners is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.

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