---
title: 'Procurement, Growth & Strategic Relationships Lead at Real Chemistry'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/procurement-growth-strategic-relationships-lead-real-chemistry-boston-qpjd8v6yr6jf'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-10'
---

# Procurement, Growth & Strategic Relationships Lead at Real Chemistry

- **Company:** Real Chemistry
- **Location:** Boston, MA / Chicago, IL / Lambertville, NJ / United States / Water Street, NY
- **Work type:** remote
- **Posted:** 2026-09-03
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-10
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/realchemistry/jobs/5415849008

## Job description

At Real Chemistry, making the world a healthier place isn’t just an aspiration—it’s our everyday reality. Our drive to transform healthcare is informed by our blend of deep scientific expertise, human-centred creativity, and AI-driven insights, fostering a unique environment where innovation thrives and our people are impact-obsessed. As a global agency, we provide a full suite of services across healthcare communications and marketing to our clients, including top players in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries.

Our #LifeatRealChem culture is rooted in our people—we believe we are best together and are committed to excellence for both our clients and colleagues. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting your career, if you share our passion for healthcare and connection, we invite you to explore our opportunities.

Discover your purpose. Embrace innovation. Experience #LifeatRealChem.

Procurement, Growth & Strategic Relationships Lead

Real Chemistry is seeking a Procurement, Growth & Strategic Relationships Lead

to join our team.

This is a U.S. hybrid role, based in or near one of our U.S. hubs including Boston - Massachusetts; Carmel - Indiana; Chicago - Illinois; Lambertville - New Jersey;

This role is ideal for a relationship-driven leader who knows how to navigate client procurement and strategic sourcing environments to unlock and expand long-term partnerships. Reporting to the Head of Business Strategy and Growth, you will serve as a trusted bridge between Real Chemistry and our clients’ procurement and strategic sourcing teams — opening doors, building credibility, deepening engagement, and creating the opportunity for growth.

## What You’ll Do

- Build and own trusted relationships with new and select existing client procurement and strategic sourcing stakeholders, serving as a credible, consistent point of contact who understands their goals and drives solution identification and growth opportunities.
- Proactively generate and qualify new leads within client procurement and strategic sourcing organizations, building and advancing a robust pipeline of introductory and expansion opportunities across capabilities and markets.
- Plan, organize, and lead client procurement capability meetings, developing and delivering curated, client-relevant content for introductory, capability, and relationship conversations that showcase Real Chemistry’s full range of services and solutions.
- Serve as a consistent door opener for Real Chemistry, proactively introducing capability and account leads to new stakeholders, business units, and decision-makers within client procurement organizations to create fresh entry points for growth.
- Partner closely with existing client leads to develop a deep understanding of each client’s business, priorities, and procurement dynamics — translating those insights into strategies that expand and strengthen our engagements.
- Support evolution of Real Chemistry’s overall framework for engaging client procurement teams, creating a repeatable model that supports growth across our extended portfolio.
- Keep senior stakeholders informed on relationship status, growth opportunities, and any risks to existing engagements.
- Drive post-engagement debriefs to capture learnings and continuously strengthen how we build and grow client relationships.

This Role Is a Good Fit If You

- Lead with relationships — you build trust quickly, invest in long-term partnerships, and know that the best commercial outcomes follow genuine connection
- Are energized by growth — you see every client interaction as an opportunity to expand what’s possible and are motivated by opening new doors
- Are a natural connector who can move fluidly between client-facing conversations and internal collaboration across teams and disciplines
- Are a strategic thinker who can also execute with precision — especially in situations without an existing playbook
- Are comfortable leading through influence rather than authority in a highly matrixed organization
- Thrive in a fast-paced, deadline-driven agency environment and adapt quickly as priorities shift
- Are driven, resourceful, and comfortable with ambiguity as the business evolves
- Value continuous improvement and are always looking for ways to make relationships and processes stronger

## What You Should Have

- 12+ years of experience in client relationship management, account leadership, strategic sourcing, or procurement — with at least 5 years in a senior leadership position; candidates from account or client services backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply if they bring deep, demonstrated experience engaging client procurement and strategic sourcing organizations
- A proven track record of generating new business leads and building and growing strategic client relationships, including meaningful experience navigating and influencing client procurement, strategic sourcing, or finance stakeholders — with demonstrated success opening doors to new stakeholders and leading capability meetings that convert into new engagements
- Deep healthcare industry experience across pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences companies, or agency partners
- Understanding of the procurement landscape, including market trends, client ESG priorities, and regulatory requirements across the healthcare ecosystem — including global experience
- Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trust at all levels of a client organization and articulate the Real Chemistry value proposition compellingly
- Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple relationships and priorities simultaneously
- Highly motivated self-starter who can create structure and momentum where none exists

Pay Range: $170,000-$190,000

This is the pay range the Company believes it will pay for this position at the time of this posting.  Consistent with applicable law, compensation will be determined based on job-related, non-discriminatory factors including but not limited to work experience, skills, certifications, and geographical location. The Company reserves the right to modify this pay range at any time

Real Chemistry is proud to be Great Place to Work® certified; check out what our people shared about our culture and workplace on our Great Places to Work Profile [here](https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.greatplacetowork.com%2Fcertified-company%2F7038366&data=05%7C02%7Cclehmar%40realchemistry.com%7C1f18aaed4326491b3efc08ddd690f025%7C6fa5bfc4f95843f8bb395d382689654b%7C0%7C0%7C638902640185888156%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=pwvaCn37QXkjVQ0p6u92Oz4FA4j5NQZoNJL0ffy01qs%3D&reserved=0).

We believe we can do our best when feeling our best, which is why we’ve put together a benefits program designed to give you the support you and your family need at every stage of life. Real Chemistry offers a comprehensive benefit program and perks, tailored to your region. Globally, this includes offices in our key markets with free snacks to keep you running all day long, generous holiday and paid time off, options for private medical, dental, and vison plans, and support in saving for the future. Other perks include mental wellness coaching and support and access to more than 13,000 online classes with LinkedIn Learning.  Learn more about our great benefits and perks and search specific offerings in your region at: [www.realchemistrybenefits.com](https://www.realchemistrybenefits.com).

At Real Chemistry, we believe we're at our best when we're connected. Our Real Hybrid and Regional Teams (Real HART) approach is designed to foster collaboration, learning, innovation, and meaningful relationships while providing flexibility where appropriate. Because our workforce spans multiple countries, regions, and client needs, work arrangements may vary by role and location. Some positions offer hybrid or remote flexibility, while others require regular in-office presence. For example, certain teams and regions, including some of our UK operations, have office-based requirements. Your recruiter will discuss the specific expectations for the role you're pursuing during the interview process and keep you informed throughout the hiring journey. For employees located within a one-hour commute of a Real Chemistry office, we require in-person attendance two days per week, either from a Real Chemistry office or when working onsite with clients. Employees in regions without a nearby office may work remotely and come together throughout the year for collaboration, culture-building, learning, and team connection opportunities. While these guidelines reflect our current workplace model, we understand that everyone’s circumstances are unique. If you require additional flexibility, we welcome an open conversation with your recruiter and our HR team to discuss your needs and determine what may be possible.

Real Chemistry is an Equal Opportunity employer. We continually strive to build and sustain an inclusive and equitable work environment where our employees feel empowered to leverage all they bring from their personal lived experience and professional expertise, to make our team the best in the industry. We encourage motivated and qualified applicants to apply without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, ethnic or national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local employment discrimination laws where Real Chemistry operates. Should you require accommodations throughout the interview process please let your recruiter know.

*Notice: Real Chemistry and its affiliates' names are being misused by scammers through messaging services, fake websites, and apps. Do not share personal or financial information or make payments to any unverified sources claiming to be connected to Real Chemistry. We are working to stop these unauthorized activities and protect our community. Read more [here](https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.realchemistry.com%2Fscam-alert&data=05%7C02%7Cclehmar%40realchemistry.com%7C1f18aaed4326491b3efc08ddd690f025%7C6fa5bfc4f95843f8bb395d382689654b%7C0%7C0%7C638902640185967986%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vBa1KYjD6TUHgTF3FdPRQZvM8E8WUgHZqu9yHevh1%2BI%3D&reserved=0).

## About Real Chemistry

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: Real Chemistry is a global healthcare communications network that connects the world of science with world-class storytellers to help life-changing medicines and therapies reach their full market potential.
- **Entity Type**: Private
- **Headquarters**: New York, USA (with major hubs in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dubai, Edinburgh, Indianapolis, Lambertville, London, Los Angeles, Manchester, Munich, San Francisco, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.)
- **Founded**: 1999 (25+ years in operation)
- **Founders**: Jim Weiss

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Healthcare communications, marketing, medical affairs, data & analytics, and digital transformation services for the life sciences industry.
- **Target customers**: B2B, primarily pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies (0 of the top 20 pharma companies work with them).
- **Mission or purpose statement**: To help life-changing medicines and therapies reach their full market potential by translating complex science into sharable narratives and results.

## Products & Services
- **Analytics & Insights**: Best-in-class data and analytics accessible to every capability and client, including AI-integrated solutions (used since Watson).
- **Creative Effectiveness**: Breakthrough creative that moves audiences to act, ranked No. 2 Most Creative Healthcare Network in the world per Cannes in 2025.
- **Medical Affairs**: Hundreds of PhDs, MDs, and PharmDs providing deep expertise across therapeutic areas.
- **Omnichannel Marketing**: Integrated, multi-channel campaigns for pharmaceutical brands.
- **Precision Medicine Strategies**: Tailored approaches for bringing molecules to market.
- **Global Inclusion and Health Equity**: Specialized services for equitable healthcare access.
- **Regulatory Compliant AI**: AI solutions designed for the highly regulated healthcare environment.
- **Advocacy Relations**: Patient and stakeholder advocacy programs.
- **Trial Site Selection and Recruitment Acceleration**: Services to speed up clinical trials.
- **RepAction**: A proprietary offering (likely a reputation management or action-oriented platform).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (private company).
- **Key Metric**: Revenue not publicly disclosed; company states that clients who worked with Real Chemistry experienced double the rate of growth compared to those who did not.
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available (private company). CEO Shankar Narayanan previously held senior roles at McKinsey & Company, Cognizant, and Equian.
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Named **Healthcare Network of the Year by MM+M** in 2025.
  - Ranked **No. 2 Most Creative Healthcare Network in the world** per Cannes in 2025; won the first-ever Gold Lion awarded for a branded pharmaceutical product.
  - **Great Place To Work® certified for 5 consecutive years** in the US & UK.
  - Works with **56 of the top 100 pharmaceutical brands** by revenue (since 2023).
  - Global presence with offices in **20+ countries** and **30+ languages spoken** across the network.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Integrated, full-service network**: Combines medical expertise, AI, marketing, creative, and data analytics under one roof—unlike many specialized agencies.
- **Deep regulatory expertise**: Proven ability to navigate the highly regulated pharmaceutical environment, including regulatory-compliant AI.
- **Top-tier talent**: Hundreds of advanced-degree professionals (PhDs, MDs, PharmDs) and a network of thousands of in-house experts.
- **Proven ROI**: Clients see double the growth rate compared to non-clients, per their internal data.
- **Award-winning creative**: Ranked among the world’s most creative healthcare networks, bridging the gap between science and brand storytelling.

## Strategic Focus
- **AI integration**: Embedding AI across all capabilities, with a history of using AI since the Watson era.
- **Global expansion**: Maintaining a "local mindset" with offices and partner networks spanning the globe.
- **Tier-one commercialization partner**: Aiming to be the go-to partner for bringing molecules to market efficiently.
- **Transforming healthcare**: Driven by CEO Shankar Narayanan’s mission to transform healthcare "from what it is into what it should be."

## Why Work Here
- **Culture & Values**: Employees cite "Best Together," "Impact Obsessed," "Excellence Expected," "Evolve, Always," and "Accountability with an 'I'" as core values. The company emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and collaboration.
- **Work Model**: Hybrid and Regional Teams (HART) approach—employees within a 1-hour commute of an office are encouraged to go in at least two days per week; regional teams connect quarterly for collaboration.
- **Benefits** (US Employees):
  - Flexible PTO, paid safe/sick leave, and winter break closure (Dec 25–New Year’s Day).
  - Health & wellness coverage (medical, dental, vision), mental healthcare, and a "lifestyle & wellness wallet."
  - Generous, gender-neutral parental leave, fertility/surrogacy/adoption support, and family-backup care.
  - Student loan support (up to $500/year).
  - Access to LinkedIn Learning with 13,000+ courses.
  - "Road Rules" program: employees can apply for exclusive training opportunities at another global office.
- **Recognition**: Great Place To Work® certified for 5 years running (US & UK).
- **Growth & Development**: Continuous learning culture with self-paced programs and mentorship opportunities.
- **Internships**: Summer internship program for students from US universities.

## Sources
1. [realchemistry.com](https://www.realchemistry.com/)
2. [realchemistry.com - About/Who We Are](https://www.realchemistry.com/about/who-we-are/)
3. [realchemistry.com - Careers/Working at RC](https://www.realchemistry.com/careers/working-at-rc/)
4. [realchemistry.com - Our Expertise](https://www.realchemistry.com/what-we-do/expertise/)
5. [Greenhouse - Jobs at Real Chemistry](http://job-boards.greenhouse.io/realchemistry)

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