Jovana Ilkic, Ph.D.
Corporate Functions Team
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
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