Associate Director, US Study Start-Up

Business Introduction
At GSK, we have bold ambitions for patients, aiming to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade. Our R&D focuses on discovering and delivering vaccines and medicines, combining our understanding of the immune system with cutting-edge technology to transform people’s lives. GSK fosters a culture ambitious for patients, accountable for impact, and committed to doing the right thing, making sure that we focus our efforts on accelerating significant assets that meet patients’ needs and have the highest probability of success. We’re uniting science, technology, and talent to get ahead of disease together.
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Our approach to R&D

Position Summary

The Associate Director, Study Start-up is responsible for providing leadership in the execution of operational strategy and management of start-up activities for all clinical trials, across all therapy areas. This includes, but it’s not limited to the overall management and oversight of the following processes: preparation and submission of CTA for EC and CA, site contracts and TPRM for core and CRO-managed countries. The role is the accountable person for the study start up metrics (these metrics can be shared with other directors/manager depending on local leadership roles, where appropriate). 

This position works directly with Clinical Operations Head, LDL Managers, SEL/LDL, STEP team, CRO FSP (Functional Service Provider) Managers and/or BDL where appropriate, in setting priorities and expectations for Study Start-Up.

 

The role is supporting the life cycle of the studies and improve processes across functions.

 

This position may manage Study Start Up Leads (SSUL), Clinical Operations Specialists (COS) and other functions involved in study start up activities, depending on countries. 

Responsibilities
This role will provide YOU the opportunity to lead key activities to progress YOUR career. These responsibilities include some of the following:

• Accountable to ensure timely start-up of all clinical studies across multiple therapeutic areas to agreed start up timelines according to set metrics, budget and quality target working according to country/regional (where appropriate) regulations, GSK SOPs and ICH GCP. 

• Support operations between the central GSK study team, global SSU team and within-country study team for study start up activities.

• Ensures that critical study timelines related to study start up activities within-country are accurately forecasted.

• Accountable for maintaining internal tracking for study site status from initial site contact through site initiation. Maintains clear internal team communication and documentation to ensure site activation timelines are met.

• Accountable for the delivery of country feasibility, site selection, recruitment planning, site training and/or regulatory package completion.

• Actively works with stakeholders to simplify/optimize processes as it relates to their area of expertise. Responsible for identifying and sharing best practices. 

• Connects with local internal and external experts to keep up to date with changes in site start-up requirements. Learns from past site activations and performance and continually improves future activities.

• Consulted for the LOC CRO’s oversight (operational aspects) when studies are delivered through the FSO (Fully Study Outsourced) Model.

• Leverages AI-enabled tools and digital solutions responsibly to improve efficiency, data quality, and decision-making in clinical trial operations.

• Represent GSK in key events (i.e Forum, Symposium, Trade Association, etc) and discussion related to the improvement of clinical research activities in the national environment.

• Accountable to lead Study Start Up Leads and/or Local Clinical Operations Specialists to ensure timely start-up, operational management, completion and delivery of all clinical studies across multiple therapeutic areas to agreed start up timelines according to UQ (Upper Quartile), budget and quality target working according to country/regional regulations, GSK SOPs and GCP.

• Accountable for line and performance management of Team Members: conduct regular 1:1 meeting, develop staff competencies and identify skill gaps. Arranges appropriate training to ensure they have the skills and knowledge required. Utilizes coaching and mentoring strategy to enhance individual and overall team performance.

• Responsible for resource management and allocation to maintain business performance and a sustainable workload.

Why You?

Working model
This role is remote within the United States with a hybrid expectation for in-person engagement. Regular domestic travel will be required to build relationships and support study delivery.

Basic Qualification
We are seeking professionals with the following required skills and qualifications to help us achieve our goals

• University degree in Sciences (Medicine, Pharmacy, Biochemistry, Biology or related fields) or equivalent demonstrable professional experience in the area. 

• 5+ years of experience in clinical operations or similar positions in the pharmaceutical industry.

• Solid knowledge of ICH-GCP, local regulations, and regulatory processes. 

• Experience managing study start-up activities across multiple sites in the US.

Preferred Qualification
If you have the following characteristics, it would be a plus

• Advanced degree such as Master’s, PharmD, or PhD

• Demonstrated leadership skills and experience working in matrix teams. 

• Experience in budget control and monitoring of performance indicators. 

• Analytical skills and a results-oriented mindset, with a focus on operational efficiency and quality. 

• Proven track record of reducing study start-up timelines or improving activation metrics.

• Strong stakeholder engagement, negotiation and influencing skills.

• Experience leading cross-functional projects or process improvement initiatives.

#GSK-LI

Skills

Agile Thinking, Business Acumen, Clinical Development, Clinical Trial Designs, Communication, Creativity, Decision Making, Fostering Collaboration, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Influencing Without Authority, People Management, Pharmaceutical Industry, Project Management, Time Management

 

 

The US annual base salary for new hires in this position ranges from $129,750 to $216,250. The US salary ranges take into account a number of factors including work location within the US market, the candidate’s skills, experience, education level and the market rate for the role. In addition, this position offers an annual bonus and eligibility to participate in our share based long term incentive program which is dependent on the level of the role. Available benefits include health care and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, paid holidays, vacation, and paid caregiver/parental and medical leave. If salary ranges are not displayed in the job posting for a specific country, the relevant compensation will be discussed during the recruitment process.

Please visit  GSK US Benefits Summary to learn more about the comprehensive benefits program GSK offers US employees.

Why GSK?

Uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together.

GSK is a global biopharma company with a purpose to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. We aim to positively impact the health of 2.5 billion people by the end of the decade, as a successful, growing company where people can thrive. We get ahead of disease by preventing and treating it with innovation in specialty medicines and vaccines. We focus on four therapeutic areas: respiratory, immunology and inflammation; oncology; HIV; and infectious diseases – to impact health at scale.

People and patients around the world count on the medicines and vaccines we make, so we’re committed to creating an environment where our people can thrive and focus on what matters most. Our culture of being ambitious for patients, accountable for impact and doing the right thing is the foundation for how, together, we deliver for patients, shareholders and our people.

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