Head of Epidemiology

Fortrea

. Provide scientific governance for the most complex or high-risk epidemiology programs .

Posted 10/9/2026full-timeRemote • United States, United KingdomLead💰 $200,000 - $245,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates advanced expertise in epidemiology and real-world evidence (RWE) with a strong focus on scientific governance, strategic leadership, and the development of senior scientific leaders. Proven ability to build client relationships, shape epidemiology capabilities, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Doctoral-Level Degree in Epidemiology or Related Field15 Years of Relevant Experience in EpidemiologyStrong Understanding of Epidemiological GuidelinesExceptional Senior-Level Communication SkillsExperience Leading Cross-Functional Teams

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

EpidemiologyReal-World Evidence (RWE)Advanced MethodologyRegulatory-Grade EvidenceCausal-Inference MethodsSecondary Real-World Data SourcesComparative-Effectiveness StudiesPayer EvidenceNatural History StudiesProgram Governance

Soft Skills

JudgmentInfluenceRelationship-BuildingLeadership DevelopmentOrganizational Effectiveness

Tools & Technologies

EHRClaims DataRegistriesComputer Software

Industry Keywords

STROBERECORDISPEENCePPFDA RWE FrameworkICH E6(R3)ICH M14Client RelationshipsStrategic Client RelationshipsEpidemiology Capability

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provide scientific governance for the most complex or high-risk epidemiology programs
Support selected strategic client relationships and pursuits
Develop senior epidemiology leaders
Guide methods, quality, talent, and service offering priorities within epidemiology
Partner with leaders across Fortrea Consulting and the enterprise on epidemiology, RWE, and Consulting initiatives
Contribute to epidemiology growth strategy and lead selected priorities
Sponsor or provide senior scientific approval for selected high-value epidemiology pursuits and client relationships
Provide epidemiology input to commercial priorities, opportunity-pipeline reviews, and key-account opportunities
Build external scientific relationships and alliances
Shape scientific direction and the epidemiology capability roadmap
Lead priorities for methods, technology, data partnerships, talent, quality, and scalable delivery
Establish governance for scientific standards, review, risk escalation, reproducibility, transparency, and regulatory readiness
Shape Fortrea’s external scientific voice through thought leadership and professional engagement
Serve as senior scientific sponsor for selected complex or high-risk epidemiology programs
Ensure epidemiology strategies and deliverables meet Fortrea’s standards for credibility, relevance, transparency, and defensibility
Advise senior client stakeholders on epidemiology and RWE strategy, evidence gaps, and regulatory, payer, or HTA implications
Provide senior epidemiology escalation and decision support for material scientific and quality risks
Ensure appropriate application of epidemiologic and causal-inference methods, complex applications, regulatory frameworks, and guidance
Lead senior epidemiology leaders and oversee leadership development, succession, and organizational effectiveness
Lead workforce planning, senior hiring, promotion, performance, and deployment decisions
Build an inclusive, accountable epidemiology culture
Model Fortrea culture, business ethics, scientific integrity, and responsible decision-making
Perform other duties as needed or assigned
Travel domestically and internationally and occasionally drive to site locations

Requirements

What you’ll need

Doctoral-level degree in a discipline-relevant area such as epidemiology, pharmacoepidemiology, public health, or related quantitative health science; Fortrea may consider a graduate-level degree such as MS/MPH with relevant and equivalent experience and successful project outcomes in lieu of educational requirements
Recognized scientific and strategic leadership in epidemiology and real-world evidence (RWE), including advanced methodology, regulatory-grade evidence, program governance, and capability development
Demonstrated success strengthening an epidemiology capability, complex program portfolio, or strategic client relationship while sustaining scientific quality and client trust
Demonstrated success developing senior scientific leaders and leading multidisciplinary teams through growth and change
Exceptional senior-level communication, judgment, influence, and relationship-building skills across scientific, commercial, and client stakeholders
Strong understanding of epidemiological guidelines, including STROBE/RECORD and ISPE/ENCePP, and major regulatory RWE principles, including FDA RWE Framework, ICH E6(R3), and ICH M14
15 years of relevant experience, or doctoral-level degree with at least 12 years, including extensive leadership of complex portfolios, major client relationships, business growth, scientific strategy, and senior leaders
10 years of experience leading cross-functional teams and developing staff
Applied use of secondary real-world data sources such as claims, EHR, and registries
Experience representing an epidemiology or RWE capability with senior client, regulatory, payer, HTA, industry, and scientific stakeholders
Experience with external control arms/synthetic controls, natural history studies, and HEOR deliverables such as comparative-effectiveness studies, payer evidence, and indirect treatment comparisons
Demonstrated success originating or expanding strategic client relationships and multidisciplinary programs
Track record of building new offerings, markets, partnerships, or delivery models with measurable organizational impact
Experience shaping strategy for an epidemiology or RWE capability and integrating scientific, commercial, people, technology, quality, and delivery priorities
Recognized external influence through scientific leadership, professional organizations, guidance development, publications, or senior advisory roles
Ability to challenge conventional thinking to solve client issues and develop solutions
Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf
Regular and consistent attendance
Varied hours may be required
International travel to support the business as needed

Benefits

Comp & perks

Medical
Dental
Vision
Life insurance
Short-term disability (STD)
Long-term disability (LTD)
401(K)
Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP)
Paid time off (PTO) or Flexible time off (FTO)
Company bonus where applicable