Senior Lead - Clinical Trial Study Start-Up

Study Start up Senior Lead

Job Description Summary

The Study Start-Up (SSU) Senior Lead independently leads the planning and execution of global
SSU activities for multiple medium to complex global studies of high priority to ensure timely trial
document and task completion to enable country HA (Health Authorities) and Ethics Committee
submissions and site activation to meet ambitious recruitment plans. The Study Start-Up Senior
Lead works collaboratively with other key CTT members and leads the SSU Team (CTT sub-team /
20+ members across multiple countries) comprised of the country SSU Management, Vendor
Management, Regulatory, Grants and Contracts, Translations, Document Management, Clinical
Supplies, and others as needed to accelerate study, country, and site activation.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Early Planning and Team Leadership: Responsible for all Study Start-Up (SSU) activities for medium to highly complex high priority studies, independent decisions for all study start-up activities. Full responsibility to independently deliver SSU insights to the development of the trial Operational Execution Plan (OEP) and aligns the SSU plan and strategy accordingly as reflected in SSU systems, milestones and dashboards with Study Leader /Clinical Trial Team (CTT).
• Configures and ensures proper trial-specific set-up of SSU systems (e.g., Expected Document Lists, eTMF, milestones, tasks, personnel, vendors, languages/translations, confirmed and back-up countries, CTMS (Clinical Trial Management System), enrollment plan, vendor management tool, site contracting and budgeting tool, ICF template tool, etc.)
• Autonomously strategizes global SSU planning and leads SSU Team (CTT sub-team) from kick-off through completion of SSU (all countries and 95% sites enrolling or as defined per trial). Implements global aspects of protocol and OEP amendments, activates and oversees country implementation of amendments as determined per trial and in conjunction with Study Leader. Leads Global SSU Activation:
• Responsible for global trial level document readiness (including vendor and IMP (INVESTIGATIONAL MEDICINAL PRODUCT) and collection into eTMF as necessary for country health authority and Ethics Committee submission and site activation, Guides the Vendor Program Manager (VPM) as needed to ensure timely global vendor activation and HA submission documents Version: 1.0 Date: 1 Jan 2023 Author: SSO Implementation Team, led by Stephanie Visioli
• Ensures Protocol and ICF (Informed Consent Form) global tial template is ready for country usage as necessary including translations. Drives transparency of timelines of global SSU deliverables with SSU Managers to ensure country alignment and efficiency. Directs the Study Grants Expert for investigator grant plan/fair market value assessment initiation and finalization of country site budget and contract template readiness in conjunction with protocol timelines
• Global accountability of timelines, accuracy, and quality of global TMF (Trial Master File) documents in study start-up to ensure TMF inspection readiness, ensure proactive oversight and risk management for SSU team activities to achieve start-up timelines and quality execution, proposing and implementing corrective actions where appropriate, according to Novartis standards and local and international regulations.
• Collaborates with GCS (Global Clinical Supply) to ensure coordination and readiness of global clinical supply, ensures the use and date completeness/accuracy of applicable technology platforms during SSU
• Accountable for country SSU:  Coaches the country Study Start-up Managers to drive timely start-up activities from country allocation to “Ready to Enroll” within assigned medium to complex trials, provides oversight and support to country Study Start-up Managers as needed to ensure that study start-up activities are conducted and completed to plan, including set-up and usage of tools/systems, timely delivery of SSU deliverables (e.g. IRB/IEC submission packages, Informed Consent review, local submission package for submission to IRB/IEC, CTA (Clinical Trial Application) Hub (Europe: acc. to new EU-CTR) as well as Health Authorities and adherence to process standards.
• Guides the VPM as needed to ensure global vendor activation and site readiness in collaboration with to meet site activation timelines/plan, ensure global deliverables to enable site initiation readiness is in place for initial drug release. Responsible for all global and country budget (TCF (Trial Commitment Forms)) processes and approvals support SSU activities and timelines

Essential requirements

• Advanced degree or combination Bachelor’s Degree with equivalent experience
• A degree in scientific or health discipline required and an advanced degree with clinical trial experience and/or project management, is preferable
• Minimum 6 years' experience in project management, in clinical operations in a role that oversees (project management) and/or with monitoring clinical trials
• Minimum 3 years of contribution to and accomplishment in all aspects of conducting clinical trials (e.g., planning, executing, reporting and publishing) in a global/matrix environment in pharmaceutical industry or a contract research organization
• Proven ability to effectively engage and lead associates from varying backgrounds and functions within dispersed and highly matrixed organizations
• Comprehensive experience in leading multidisciplinary teams in a complex matrix environment

Desirable Requirements: Data and Digital expertise

Desirable Requirements: Data and Digital expertise

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.

Accessibility and accommodation
Novartis is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the recruitment process, or in order to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to diversityandincl.india@novartis.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Clinical Trials, Negotiation Skills, People Management, Process Improvement, Project Planning, Vendor Management, Waterfall Model

Experience Level

Senior Level