Study Director

Job Description Summary

Responsible independently for the execution and delivery of the GCO supported Radioligand Therapy (RLT) clinical studies of medium to highly complexity and of high priority for Novartis, per the Operational Execution Plan (OEP) and clinical study protocol. The Study Director is the leader of the cross-functional clinical trial team (CTT), guides planning and management of the assigned clinical study/studies end-to-end to achieve Global Program Team (GPT), Global Clinical Team (GCT), and GCO objectives. Accountable for proactive, iterative operational planning with effective contingencies and embedded risk management mindset in CTT. Oversee budget and people allocation within assigned study/studies.

Identify areas of improvements (process and trainings), promotes operational excellence through process improvement and knowledge sharing across studies. Fosters an empowered, psychologically safe organization that can navigate a matrix environment, learns, and adjusts quickly to changing conditions and business needs.

This is a hybrid position with 12 days per month from the office in White City, London.

Job Description

Key responsibilities:

• Leads independently the clinical trial team in collaboration with the Clinical Operations Program Head (COPH), delivery of multiple complex global studies and promotes learning, sharing, consistent performance, and operational excellence through an agile mindset, agile principles, and a team of teams model.
• Acts as the CTT product owner with duties and responsibilities per established ways of working.
• Guides planning and decision making at the study level and delivers assigned clinical study/studies per the Operational Execution Plan (OEP) and clinical study protocol.
• Fosters an agile culture within assigned studies to achieve sprint goals and cycles, maximizing collaboration and minimizing dependencies in order to achieve long-term business impact.
• In collaboration with regulatory writing and clinical development, promotes operational excellence in the development of global clinical study protocol(s), by translating the approved study concept sheet(s) into efficient, high quality, executable clinical protocols, and study-related documents.
• Create effective CTT dynamics and achieve on performance, prioritization, and communication in close collaboration with CTT sub-team leaders.
• Proactive risk management and inspection readiness.
• Responsible for developing clinical study timelines in collaboration with the Clinical Operations Program Head (COPH), and overseeing assigned study budgets.
• Ensures systems are maintained with up-to-date study status, risks, and issues.
• Fosters a close working relationship with the SSO Clinical Program Managers (CPMs) to strengthen the relationship between the global and local teams.
• Oversees study recruitment and responsible for activating mitigation strategies in collaboration with the SSO Clinical Program Managers (CPMs).
• Fosters a close working relationship with the VPG Vendor Program Managers (VPMs) to strengthen the relationship between the vendors and CTT to deliver on clinical study objectives.
• Fosters a close working relationship with the CDO Trial Data Scientist (TDS) to deliver on clinical study objectives.
• Ensures proper handling of all study close out activities including, but not limited to, site close out, final drug accountability, and audit readiness of Trial Master File documentation.
• Promotes operational excellence and contributes to the development of Clinical Study Reports; reporting of clinical study results, and internal/external publications, when appropriate.
• Partners and collaborates with PSP/Clinical Operations Program Head (COPH) to deliver clinical studies in alignment with program strategy.
• Achieves excellence in study operations and management through process improvement in collaboration with the Head Study Leadership or the Study Leadership Community Lead/Host (as applicable) and GCO Process, Training, and Compliance (PTC).
• May deputize for the COPH as a leader and spokesperson for the CTT at Novartis internal meetings.

Essential requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences/healthcare (or clinically relevant degree) is required. Advanced degree is preferred.
• 5 years' experience in Radioligand Therapy (RLT) technology.
• 7 years of recent involvement in clinical research or drug development in an academic or industry environment spanning clinical activities in Phases I through IV studies of medium to highly complexity and of high priority.
• 3-5 years of recent contribution to and accomplishment in all aspects of conducting clinical studies of medium to highly complexity and of high priority for Novartis (e.g., planning, executing, reporting, and publishing) in a global/matrix environment in pharmaceutical industry or a contract research organization, including expert knowledge of international standards (GCP/ICH), health authorities (FDA/EMA), local/National Health Authorities regulations.
• Management of virtual teams. Proven ability and strong experience leading teams and building capabilities.
• Experience in developing effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Excellent communicator and presenter (oral and written); ability to communicate at all levels.
• Outstanding organization and prioritization.
• Excellent negotiation and conflict resolution skills and enterprise mindset.
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to meet timelines.
• Proven track record in study operations process improvement(s).
• Superior strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Extensive knowledge of appropriate therapeutic area preferred.

Why Novartis? Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people's lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here:

You'll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired: Budget Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Coaching, Cross-Functional Teams, Lifesciences, People Management, Risk Management, Risk Monitoring.