Global Study Associate Director
WHY JOIN US?
At AstraZeneca, we are dedicated to being a Great Place to Work, where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. With an ambitious goal of delivering 20 new medicines by 2030, there is no better place to make a difference in medicine, for patients, and in society.
Join us on this exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare. Our inclusive culture champions diversity and collaboration, and we are always committed to lifelong learning, growth, and development. As part of our team, you'll contribute to groundbreaking advancements that will shape a healthier future for people everywhere. Be a catalyst for change at AstraZeneca, where your work will have a real impact on improving people's lives.
Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office is purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects.
About the Opportunity:
The Global Study Associate Director (GSAD) is responsible for leading a cross-functional study team (core and extended) and providing them with guidance to enable successful study delivery. You are the main liaison between the study team and the Clinical Program Team (CPT) starting with study handover through to close-out and archiving. The GSAD is accountable to the CPT for the delivery of a study according to agreed upon timelines, budget and quality standards by ensuring an effective partnership and teamwork within study team and/or external partners.
What you’ll do:
Lead, provide guidance, and delegate appropriately to a cross-functional study team or supervise outsourced delivery activities to ensure the clinical study progresses as planned, driving achievement of milestones according to timelines, budget and quality standards. May hold accountability and/or oversight of several studies.
Lead and facilitate communication across all functions, including external partners and service providers. Lead and conduct investigator meetings and other study related meetings.
Provide input and hold accountability for the development of study level documents (i.e., Clinical Study Protocol (CSP) through to Clinical Study Report (CSR)
Ensure all external service providers (i.e., Contract Research Organizations (CROs), central laboratories, IXRS, ePRO, etc.) engaged at the study level are performing to contracted goals and timelines/budget and that oversight is documented and any issues are escalated appropriately. May participate in vendor selection activities.
Develop and maintain relevant study plans including required input into study level quality and risk management planning (e.g., risk-based quality management, proactive risk and contingency plans, etc.) ensuring that the risk response strategies and issue escalation pathways are clear to the entire study team
Accountable for ensuring that information in all systems applied at a study-level (e.g. ACCORD/ABACUS, PharmaCM, etc.) are current and accurate.
Measure study level performance against agreed upon plans, milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs, quality and operational) by using company tracking systems and project timelines. Communicate any risks to timelines and/or quality to CPT and sDSM/DSM along with proposed mitigations
Identify and report quality issues that have occurred within the study and collaborate with all functions as necessary
Proactively communicate findings and corrective action plans (CAPAs) to relevant stakeholders (e.g. CPT, quality assurance staff, functional line management, etc.)
Supervise Trial Master File (TMF) completion, including ensuring the TMF plan and Expected Document List (EDL) are in place and that QC activities are performed on an ongoing basis to ensure TMF completeness
Ensure timely compliance with company-wide governance controls (e.g., Delegation of Authority, Sunshine Act, financial system attestations, Clinical Trial Transparency)
Responsible for study budget re-forecasting and accountable for budget management through the study lifecycle. Providing budget progress reports including any financial risks and mitigation plans (as part of the ongoing study change control process)
Ensure studies are inspection-ready at all times, according to ICH-GCP and AZ SOP and relevant policies/guidelines; GSAD is the primary Study Management point-of-contact in the event of an audit or inspection
Provide regular feedback on individual performance to team members and their line managers to support their professional development; may mentor less experienced colleagues
Work on non-drug project work such as being a Study Management representative in process improvements and/or leading improvement projects as discussed and agreed upon with their manage
May act as Subject Matter Expert for a particular process or system
Essentials for the role:
University degree (or equivalent), preferably in medical or biological sciences or discipline associated with clinical research
5 years of relevant clinical experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 2 years’ project management experience, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience
Extensive knowledge of ICH-GCP, clinical research regulatory requirements and demonstrated abilities in clinical study management processes and clinical/drug development
Project management experience on a global level
Demonstrated solid project management skills and knowledge of relevant tools
Strong team leadership skills with strategic and critical thinking abilities
Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external co-workers and stakeholders, along with strong conflict management skills
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
Ability to manage competing priorities
Desirable Qualifications:
Advanced degree (ie. Masters level education or higher)
Project management certification
Experience in all phases of a clinical study lifecycle
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
To be considered for this exciting opportunity, please complete the full application on our website at your earliest convenience – it is the only way that our Recruiter and Hiring Manager can know that you feel well qualified for this opportunity. If you know someone who would be a great fit, please share this posting with them.
Great People want to Work with us! Find out why:
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- Top 100 Employers Award
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Are you interested in working at AZ, apply today!
AstraZeneca is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion and providing a workplace that is free from discrimination. AstraZeneca is committed to accommodating persons with disabilities. Such accommodation is available on request in respect of all aspects of the recruitment, assessment and selection process and may be requested by emailing AZCHumanResources@astrazeneca.com.
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