Epidemiology Talent Acquisition for Rapidly Growing US Biotechnology

Supported a biopharma company’s urgent Epidemiology recruitment needs, ensuring seamless project delivery.

The Challenge

A biotech company based in Woburn, Massachusetts, initially with 150 employees. With one product approved and others in various clinical stages (phases 1-3), the company was poised for growth but faced challenges in a highly competitive local market where candidates had numerous options.

The client aimed for a 66% growth rate and needed specialized talent to support this rapid expansion, especially in clinical operations, data management, biostatistics, regulatory affairs, and quality assurance. Given the competitive landscape in Woburn, identifying and securing top talent was a significant challenge. The client needed a recruitment partner who could facilitate their growth without outsourcing their trials to a more expensive solution such as a CRO.

Our Approach

Barrington James built on an existing relationship with the client, positioning itself as a trusted recruitment partner. The client engaged us on a monthly project management retainer with a sliding scale of fees based on role level. We operated on an RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing) basis, handling the entire interview and placement process, including candidates from alternative channels as well as our own network.

We began by strategizing with the client to ensure sustainable growth. Our initial focus was on hiring a Chief Medical Officer and from there, we built out the clinical and operational teams under this leadership, ensuring a cohesive structure aligned with the company’s growth trajectory.

We integrated into the client’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS), allowing us to seamlessly manage the recruitment process. This integration enabled us to schedule interviews, provide feedback, and process candidates efficiently, minimizing the need for excessive communication and improving the overall workflow between our teams and the client’s HR department.

Results and Outcomes

Over the last four years, Barrington James has made 45 placements for the client, encompassing both permanent and contract roles, including C-suite positions. Our support enabled the company to run trials in-house with the teams we built, saving them the higher costs associated with outsourcing to a CRO. As a result, one of their products successfully advanced to the next clinical phase (phase 3).

Our ongoing partnership has seen the company’s structure evolve, and we continue to work closely with them to align new hires with their strategic direction. This approach has ensured the client’s operational and clinical development capabilities remain robust, enabling them to navigate the challenges of rapid expansion.

The client has consistently provided positive feedback, praising our collaboration and the strong relationship we’ve developed with their HR and Talent Acquisition teams. This partnership has positioned Barrington James as a trusted and integral recruitment partner, and we remain committed to supporting the client as they continue their growth journey.