OVERVIEW
FOCUS AREAS
Extensive experience managing client and site relations in clinical trials and life sciences landscape, currently managing proposals under business operations and sales enablement.
Proposal development & management
Contracting strategy
Process optimization
Cross-functional collaboration
Public health innovation
As a passionate life sciences professional, Jovana Ilkic brings experience from the pharmaceutical and clinical trial industry dedicated to advancing global health. Her work is driven by a commitment to delivering impactful, life-changing solutions through collaboration and innovation.
Jovana Ilkic is a dedicated life sciences professional with experience spanning over the pharmaceutical and clinical trial industry. Currently serving as Proposal Manager at ELIQUENT, she brings a strong foundation in site contracting, regulatory affairs, and cross-functional team leadership. Prior to this, she led global site contract project-level processes at Parexel, where she oversaw client and site-facing operations, developed study-specific strategies, and mentored junior staff.
Her earlier roles at Syneos Health and Berlin-Chemie A. Menarini further honed her expertise in regulatory compliance and international contract negotiations. Beyond her core roles, Jovana has contributed to public health innovation as a non-profit organization co-founder, podcast co-host, guest lecturer, writer and a volunteer – demonstrating a consistent commitment to advancing healthcare through both operational excellence and thought leadership.
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EDUCATION:
- Ph.D. in Pharmaceutical sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade
- Masters in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Belgrade
ASSOCIATIONS:
- Coalition for Global Health Innovation (CGHI), Co-founder, Innovation Advisor (2019 – present)
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Proposal Manager, Eliquent
Aug 2025 – Present- Leading the development, coordination, and submission of proposals including proposal budget efforts, ensuring compliance with client requirements and deadlines.
- Collaborating with subject matter experts to gather technical, financial, and operational content for proposals. Overseeing the proposal process, including kick-off meetings, timeline management, and review cycles.
- Partnering with sales teams to understand client needs and align proposal strategies with sales objectives. Developing and maintaining a library of proposal templates, case studies, and other sales collateral for use by the sales team.
- Working closely with marketing, product management, and other departments to ensure cohesive messaging in proposals. Monitoring market and industry trends to tailor proposal strategies and content effectively.
- Conducting training sessions for sales teams on proposal best practices and tools.
- Analyzing client feedback on proposals to continuously improve content and win rates.
- Collaborating on financial planning. Working closely with cross-functional teams to integrate accurate budget strategies into proposal responses, optimizing financial viability.
- Providing insights and recommendations to improve the effectiveness of sales enablement initiatives.
Global Site Contracts Lead (prev. Site Contract Leader), Parexel
Nov 2021 – Jul 2025- Client-facing, Site-facing, Functional leading on projects & Team oversight role
- Developing study specific CSA strategy and templates, ensuring delivery, actualizing and communicating CSA strategy, turnaround times and tracking requirements
- Risk identification & solution development in collaboration with the key stakeholders
- Identifying and facilitating CSA training needs on a study level/for more junior staff
- Maintaining a working knowledge of and ensuring compliance with applicable ICH-GCP, as well as other guidelines and local regulatory requirements
Site Contracts Specialist I (prev. SSU & Regulatory Coordinator), Syneos Health
May 2020 – Nov 2021- Handling site contract negotiations (mostly for U.K., but also for other European countries, U.S. and Australia), contract amending, archiving & quality control
Regulatory Affairs Assistant, Berlin-Chemie A. Menarini Distribution d.o.o.
Apr 2019 – May 2020- Assisting with local regulatory submissions, pharmacovigilance reconciliation, adverse effect reporting, GDPR implementation and informed consents quality assurance and archiving
Intern, Beograd Pharmacy (”Palilula”)
Apr 2019 – May 2019- Assisting with prescription dispensing, patient consultation, medication management, and maintaining a safe and efficient pharmacy environment under the supervision of licensed pharmacists