Brittany Knittel
Wilmington,NC
Summary
Dynamic Contracts Manager with 21 years of clinical research industry experience and a proven record of elevating contract operations, leading high-performing teams, and partnering directly with executives to drive strategic results. Skilled in managing the full end-to-end contract lifecycle—including MSAs, Work Orders, Amendments, and Vendor agreements—while simultaneously improving processes, developing cross-functional workflows, and ensuring operational excellence.
A trusted partner to Finance, Proposals, Business Development, Legal, and Operational leaders, I bring a strategic, proactive mindset backed by strong analytical capabilities, impeccable organization, and a deep commitment to quality. I excel at mentoring and growing staff, managing complex workloads, navigating escalations, and designing solutions that improve efficiency and data accuracy.
Recognized for my communication skills, client-centered approach, and ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments, I deliver both tactical results and long-term process improvements. I offer a rare blend of hands-on contract expertise, leadership ability, and operational vision—making me a strong asset to organizations seeking a highly capable, strategic, and collaborative contracts professional.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Manager, Contracts
Elligo Health Research Inc.
Wilmington, NC
01.2024 - 12.2025
- Supervised and developed a team of multiple contract professionals, provided daily operational guidance, oversaw workload allocation, provided mentoring, and support for staff’s long-term career growth
- Managed and oversaw a team workload, on average, of 150+ contracts each month
- Served as departmental lead for developing end-to-end contract lifecycle processes, tools, and operational standards
- Engaged regularly with senior executives in Finance, Business Development, Proposals and Clinical Operations to align contract operations with organizational strategy, including support for strategic planning, month-end and quarter-end forecasting based on soft backlog analysis, pipeline insights and revenue tracking
- Led cross-functional process development with Recruitment, Travel, Study Placement and Financial Management service lines to align contracting workflows with organizational priorities
- Partnered closely with General Counsel on escalations, contract template creation, periodic template review, and complex contract reviews
- Managed a full individual portfolio of contracts while simultaneously overseeing departmental performance and team execution
- Drafted, negotiated, and managed Master Service Agreements, Work Orders, Change Orders, and Vendor Agreements
- Led Salesforce enhancement initiatives for the Contracts Department, working directly with platform developers to conceptualize, design, and implement improvements that strengthened contract tracking, reporting, data quality, workload management and cross collaboration amongst several cross-functional departments including Proposals, Business Development, Finance and Clinical Operations
Senior Site Contracts Associate
IQVIA Biotech (Novella Clinical until Feb. 2019)
Wilmington, NC
04.2022 - 01.2024
- Managed end-to-end lifecycle of investigator / institution research-related agreements, including drafting, reviewing, and finalizing agreements on behalf of clients
- Negotiated clinical trial agreement language and budgets with sites using pre-defined negotiating parameters
- Ensured clinical trial agreements are mutually beneficial contractual agreements for both institution and sponsor
- Educated clients on the contracting, contract amendment and budgeting process
- Served as lead for studies
- Prepared and documented process flows for each study; followed processes that may differ across studies
- Collaborated with other departments involved in study start-up activities to ensure timely initiation of sites
- Maintained and tracked communications with sites and internal staff
- Served as department level lead for drafting, managing, and maintaining clinical trial agreement amendment templates
- Negotiated complex multi-cohort oncology site budgets
- Served as department lead for on board training of new employees
- Served as department lead for mentoring and training of current employees
- Served as department lead for the contracting amendment process
- Served as department lead for liaison between contract group and template development group
Site Contracts Associate
IQVIA Biotech (Novella Clinical until Feb. 2019)
Wilmington, NC
09.2013 - 04.2022
- Managed end-to-end lifecycle of investigator / institution research-related agreements, including drafting, reviewing, and finalizing agreements on behalf of clients
- Negotiated clinical trial agreement language and budgets with sites using pre-defined negotiating parameters
- Ensured clinical trial agreements were mutually beneficial contractual agreements for both institution and sponsor
- Educated clients on the contracting, contract amendment and budgeting process
- Served as lead for studies
- Prepared and documented process flows for each study; followed processes that may differ across studies
- Collaborated with other departments involved in study start-up activities to ensure timely initiation of sites
- Maintained and tracked communications with sites and internal staff
- Served as department level lead for drafting, managing, and maintaining clinical trial agreement amendment templates
- Negotiated complex multi-cohort oncology site budgets
- Served as department lead for on board training of new employees
- Served as department lead for mentoring and training of current employees
- Served as department lead for the contracting amendment process
- Served as department lead for liaison between contract group and template development group
CEO
Knittel Household
Wilmington, NC
08.2009 - 09.2013
- Took time away from professional career to raise young children and manage the household
Contract Specialist
PPD, Inc.
Wilmington, NC
01.2006 - 08.2009
- Drafted, reviewed, and negotiated Clinical Trial Agreements and related documents, i.e., amendments, indemnification and facility agreements, termination notices and confidentiality agreements
- Oversaw and mentored the Contract Coordinator role
- Consulted with company attorneys and other key individuals
- Implemented and managed an efficient process for the execution of Clinical Trial Agreements
- Educated clients on contracting process
- Trained and mentored new team members
- Monitored/managed budget hours allocated to legal piece for assigned studies
- Developed processes and standard operating procedures
- Maintained close contact and relationships with all internal departments, Senior Management and clients and identified and protected the company and its clients from unnecessary business and legal risks
Clinical Research Associate
PPD, Inc.
Wilmington, NC
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Performed and coordinated rapid study start-up and interim activities ensure applicable timelines and metrics were met
- Responsible for review and transmission of regulatory documents
- Implemented project plans and maintained project timelines
- Ensured accuracy of investigator files and prepared investigator files for audit readiness
- Performed file reviews, drug accountability and managed study data
- Met project timelines in accordance with the master contract
- Maintained clinical trial management systems
- Performed and coordinated all aspects of clinical research site visits (Pre-Study Visits, Site Initiation Visits, Interim Monitoring Visits, and Close-Out Visits) to assess protocol and regulatory compliance
Research Support Specialist
PPD, Inc.
Wilmington, NC
05.2004 - 01.2005
- Trained Research Assistants and executed the non-clinical aspects of complex, multifaceted Phase III and Phase IV programs for the Late-Stage Trials department
- Responsible for regulatory, legal, and financial document production, review, and receipt, and tracking study-related documents (regulatory documents, CRFs, Queries, etc.)
- Facilitated rapid study start-up and cross-functional group communication to ensure applicable timelines and metrics were met
- Followed FDA GCPs, ICH Guidelines and Global SOPs
- Served as liaison between CRAs, sites, and client
- Conducted Investigator Site File audits, implemented study-specific plans and prepared and proofed investigator grants and assisted in ensuring audit ready files during clinical trials
Research Assistant II
PPD, Inc.
Wilmington, NC
09.2003 - 05.2004
- Trained Research Assistants and executed the non-clinical aspects of complex, multifaceted Phase III and Phase IV programs for the Late-Stage Trials department
- Responsible for regulatory, legal, and financial document production, review, and receipt, and tracking study-related documents (regulatory documents, CRFs, Queries, etc.)
- Facilitated rapid study start-up and cross-functional group communication to ensure applicable timelines and metrics were met
- Followed FDA GCPs, ICH Guidelines and Global SOPs
- Served as liaison between CRAs, sites, and client
- Conducted Investigator Site File audits, implemented study-specific plans and prepared and proofed investigator grants and assisted in ensuring audit ready files during clinical trials
Research Assistant I
PPD, Inc.
Wilmington, NC
09.2002 - 09.2003
- Trained Research Assistants and executed the non-clinical aspects of complex, multifaceted Phase III and Phase IV programs for the Late-Stage Trials department
- Responsible for regulatory, legal, and financial document production, review, and receipt, and tracking study-related documents (regulatory documents, CRFs, Queries, etc.)
- Facilitated rapid study start-up and cross-functional group communication to ensure applicable timelines and metrics were met
- Followed FDA GCPs, ICH Guidelines and Global SOPs
- Served as liaison between CRAs, sites, and client
- Conducted Investigator Site File audits, implemented study-specific plans and prepared and proofed investigator grants and assisted in ensuring audit ready files during clinical trials
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations, Business Management
North Carolina State University
Raleigh, NC05.2002
Skills
- 21 years’ clinical research industry experience
- End-to-end contract lifecycle management & process optimization
- Expertise in negotiating Site Contracts, Budgets, Amendments, MSAs, Work Orders, Change Orders & Vendor Agreements
- Strong leadership capabilities with experience managing mentoring & developing teams
- Executive-level communication & collaboration with Finance, Proposals, Business Development, Legal & Operational stakeholders
- Strategic & proactive decision making
- Strong organizational & prioritization skills
- Detail-oriented adeptness
- Strong collaboration skills
- Strategic, proactive thinker
- Process driven focus
- Strong commitment to quality, compliance & continuous improvement
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Deadline driven
- Client-centered
- Skilled in mentorship and training of staff
- Advanced problem-solving & escalation management abilities
- Proficiency in GrantPlan, Microsoft Office Suite, Workday, PeopleSoft, NetSuite, SalesForce & CTMS platforms
- Leadership
- Reliable under pressure
Timeline
Manager, Contracts
Elligo Health Research Inc.
01.2024 - 12.2025
Senior Site Contracts Associate
IQVIA Biotech (Novella Clinical until Feb. 2019)
04.2022 - 01.2024
Site Contracts Associate
IQVIA Biotech (Novella Clinical until Feb. 2019)
09.2013 - 04.2022
CEO
Knittel Household
08.2009 - 09.2013
Contract Specialist
PPD, Inc.
01.2006 - 08.2009
Clinical Research Associate
PPD, Inc.
01.2005 - 01.2006
Research Support Specialist
PPD, Inc.
05.2004 - 01.2005
Research Assistant II
PPD, Inc.
09.2003 - 05.2004
Research Assistant I
PPD, Inc.
09.2002 - 09.2003
Bachelor of Arts - Public Relations, Business Management
North Carolina State University
LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE
I bring strong, hands-on leadership experience developed through managing a team of contract professionals while simultaneously carrying my own contract portfolio. I have guided employees in their day-to-day responsibilities, provided mentorship to support their career growth, and allocated workload to ensure efficiency and balance across the team. As the departmental lead, I drove process development, cross-functional alignment, and operational improvements that strengthened overall contract operations. I collaborated daily with senior executives, Finance, Business Development, Proposals and Legal, demonstrating my ability to lead within complex, fast-moving and often chaotic environments. My leadership style blends strategic vision with calm practical execution, fostering a high-performance culture built on communication, trust, quality, and continuous improvement.
Platform Proficiences
GrantPlan, Microsoft Office Suite, Workday, PeopleSoft, NetSuite, Paylocity, SalesForce & CTMS platforms