Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Karen Grobe

Buffalo,NY

Summary

Senior executive leader with track record of driving strategic initiatives and delivering impactful results. Adept at fostering team collaboration and navigating complex organizational challenges. Skilled in strategic planning, financial management, and operations oversight. Valued for reliability, adaptability, and results-oriented approach.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

SVP, Managing Director

Praxis
01.2022 - Current
  • Oversee a $20M portfolio with 150 contracted projects across 20 pharmaceutical clients.
  • Lead a 43-member team across project management, strategy, operations, outreach, and patient engagement.
    • Spearheaded the introduction of patient engagement as a new service offering, expanding company capabilities.
    • Maintain industry-leading employee retention with a turnover rate below 15% by fostering a strong workplace culture.
    • Develop custom pricing strategies tailored to client needs to maximize revenue and profitability.
    • Direct business development efforts, including vetting opportunities, leading client negotiations, and reviewing 85+ RFPs in 2024.
    • Support operational excellence by implementing process improvements that increase efficiency and reduce costs.
    • Played a key role in securing ISO 27001 certification, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
    • Manage and maintain high-level vendor, supplier, and partner relationships to ensure seamless operations.
    • Serve on all company leadership teams, contributing to long-term strategic planning.
    • Represent the company at industry conferences and leadership forums to strengthen brand presence.
    • Oversee recruitment, onboarding, and development of diverse, high-performing talent.

VP, Account Service

Praxis
01.2020 - 01.2022
  • • Managed and mentored the project management team, driving operational improvements.
    • Introduced Outreach as a new service offering, expanding company capabilities and revenue streams.
    • Maintained and strengthened key client relationships through proactive engagement and strategic solutions.
    • Led day-to-day execution of recruitment, retention, and outreach campaigns across multiple therapeutic areas.
    • Developed and implemented data-driven campaign optimization strategies to enhance patient engagement.
    • Oversaw selection and management of key vendors, ensuring cost efficiency and high-quality service delivery.
    • Monitored all study recruitment and retention data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
    • Collaborated with creative, media, production, analytics, digital, public relations, and finance teams to ensure project success.
    • Managed campaign budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and maximizing return on investment.

Sr. Director

Praxis
01.2018 - 01.2020
  • • Led the project management team in the successful execution of recruitment and retention campaigns.
    • Strengthened client relationships through strategic consultation and proactive communication.
    • Oversaw cross-functional collaboration to drive project success across creative, media, and analytics teams.
    • Developed data-driven approaches to optimize recruitment strategies and improve trial enrollment rates.
    • Monitored recruitment and retention KPIs to ensure campaigns met or exceeded goals.
    • Managed multi-million-dollar project budgets, identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency.
    • Assisted in proposal development, securing new business and strengthening partnerships.

Director, Project Management

Praxis
01.2014 - 01.2018
  • • Led a high-performing project management team, ensuring on-time and on-budget execution of campaigns.
    • Drove client satisfaction through proactive engagement and results-driven solutions.
    • Implemented strategies to enhance patient recruitment efforts, improving enrollment efficiency.
    • Managed campaign budgets and identified cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality.
    • Collaborated with internal teams to streamline workflows and enhance operational efficiency.
    • Provided insights and recommendations to improve project outcomes and exceed client expectations.

Patient Recruitment Manager

Praxis
01.2010 - 01.2014
  • • Designed and executed large-scale patient recruitment and retention campaigns for clinical trials.
    • Managed media planning, public relations, and outreach strategies to maximize study enrollment.
    • Led a team in analyzing recruitment data and adjusting strategies to optimize response rates.
    • Developed and maintained client relationships, ensuring alignment with study goals.
    • Negotiated contracts with vendors and media partners to secure competitive pricing.
    • Provided comprehensive campaign performance reports and recommendations for continuous improvement.

Sr. Project Manager, Relations Coordinator

Praxis
01.2009 - 01.2010
  • Provide daily leadership to study Project Manager and Site, Oversee study budgets to ensure accuracy, identify cost-saving areas, and proactively recommend client contract addendums where appropriate
  • Oversee centralized recruitment and retention efforts of national clinical research trials
  • Oversee development and implementation of national advertising campaigns, media buys, and public relations efforts for clinical research trials
  • Oversee coordination with client and vendors in execution of recruitment plan according to timeline
  • Prepare and oversee creative presentations, weekly reports, campaign overviews, and final summary reports for clients and research sites
  • Attend and participate in Investigator Meetings and other meetings as needed
  • Develop, maintain and update databases for effective management of patient recruitment plans

Project Manager

01.2007 - 01.2009
  • Coordinate centralized recruitment and retention efforts of national clinical research trials
  • Organize development and implementation of national advertising campaigns, media buys, and public relations efforts for research trials
  • Manage day-to-day patient recruitment activities for specific medical research studies
  • Coordinate with client and vendors in execution of recruitment plan according to timeline
  • Work directly with and encourage multiple research sites on daily basis to implement patient recruitment and retention initiatives
  • Prepare and coordinate creative presentations, weekly reports, campaign overviews and final summary reports for clients and research sites
  • Attend and participate in Investigator Meetings and other meetings as needed

Assistant Account Executive

Crowley Webb
01.2006 - 01.2007
  • • Assisted in the development and execution of advertising and marketing campaigns for a diverse client portfolio.
    • Supported project management across creative, production, media, and analytics departments.
    • Contributed to campaign strategy development, ensuring alignment with client goals.
    • Managed timelines and deliverables to ensure projects were completed efficiently.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Communications

Ithaca College
Ithaca, NY
05-2005

Skills

  • Strategic leadership
  • Quality assurance
  • Critical thinking
  • Client relations
  • Collaborative leadership
  • Project planning
  • Scope management
  • Mentoring and training
  • Customer relationships
  • KPI tracking
  • Account management
  • Business development
  • Written and verbal communication
  • Advanced problem solving

Certification

● Continuing Education – Embracing Social Media in Research

● Continuing Education – Adverse Events & Product Complaints Reporting

● Continuing Education – Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in the Workplace

● Continuing Education – Security Awareness Training

● Certification – HIPAA Awareness for Business Associates

Timeline

SVP, Managing Director

Praxis
01.2022 - Current

VP, Account Service

Praxis
01.2020 - 01.2022

Sr. Director

Praxis
01.2018 - 01.2020

Director, Project Management

Praxis
01.2014 - 01.2018

Patient Recruitment Manager

Praxis
01.2010 - 01.2014

Sr. Project Manager, Relations Coordinator

Praxis
01.2009 - 01.2010

Project Manager

01.2007 - 01.2009

Assistant Account Executive

Crowley Webb
01.2006 - 01.2007

Bachelor of Science - Communications

Ithaca College

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Karen Grobe