Clinical Trial Excellence Manager

Job Title: Clinical Trial Excellence Manager

WHAT - Summary & Purpose of the Position

The Clinical Trial Excellence Manager, Clinical Development Operations (CDO) plays a key role in enabling the effective, efficient, and data‑driven operation of the global CDO organization. Reporting into the Strategy & Operations function, this role provides end‑to‑end support across resourcing, financial planning and performance metrics. The position acts to execute operational strategies to enable CDO functional operations teams and associated functions e.g. finance, R&D capacity etc.

A central focus of the role is to operationalize, standardized, global operational processes and controls for CDO resourcing, meeting CDO business needs and collaborating with R&D Capacity to ensure no duplication. The Clinical Trial Excellence Manager, under direction from the CDO Strategy and Operations Lead, will coordinate initiatives to improve transparency and predictability of resourcing, including supporting CDO algorithms, models, and planning tools enabling portfolio and capacity decisions.

In parallel, the role provides financial and budgetary support to the CDO organization, taking direction from the CDO Operational Lead and working with functions to build, track, and manage operational budgets (e.g., Travel & Expenses, Training). Providing ready summaries for the CDO Operational Lead to then interface with Finance. This role ensures that CDO needs are identified, articulated, evidence‑based, and aligned with portfolio priorities.

The Clinical Trial Excellence Manager also supports insight generation by integrating portfolio, resourcing, financial, and performance data into clear, actionable analyses for senior stakeholders. In addition, the role contributes to the smooth running of the Strategy & Operations team and broader CDO leadership activities e.g., supporting the preparation of global townhalls and forums e.g. CDO Functional Review.

WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

1. CDO Resourcing Support

• Operationalise strategic direction and frameworks to establish and maintain global CDO processes, and controls for CDO resource forecasting, supply planning, allocation, and actuals tracking partnering with R&D Capacity.
• Document, track and understand operational demand drivers.
• Work with the CDO Operations Lead to finalise design, build, and maintain resourcing tools ensuring they are scalable, transparent, and fit for purpose.
• Support coordination of cross‑functional initiatives to improve resource planning maturity, data quality, and decision‑making e.g., CDO algorithms.
• Produce consolidated CDO‑level resourcing dashboards to support portfolio planning, prioritisation, and leadership decision‑making.

2. CDO Finance Support

• Operationalise strategic direction to support the development, maintenance, and monitoring of operational budgets across CDO, including but not limited to T&E and Training.
• Work closely with functional teams to ensure budgets are aligned with planned activities, portfolio demand, and resourcing assumptions.
• Work with the Strategy and Operations Lead to create summaries that can then be discussed with Finance, representing CDO requirements during planning, forecasting, and review cycles.
• Support the tracking of actuals and variances to CDO generated budgeting plans, helping to generate insights for leadership.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial planning and governance processes within CDO.

3. Data Gathering, Analysis, and Insight Generation

Work with the Strategy and Operations Lead to:

• Collect, integrate, and analyse portfolio, resourcing, financial, and operational data to contextualise CDO capacity and funding needs.
• Develop clear, concise, and decision‑focused analyses and materials for senior stakeholders.
• In conjunction, without duplicating, with R&D define, implement, and maintain CDO‑level metrics and KPIs aligned to organisational objectives.
• Use performance data to support transparency, continuous improvement, and leadership understanding of CDO performance.
• Prepare dashboards and periodic performance reports for CDO leadership and governance bodies.
• Promote effective use of metrics across the organisation while avoiding unnecessary complexity.

4. Strategy & Operations Team Support

• Support the smooth operation of the Strategy & Operations team, including planning and coordination of leadership team meetings.
• Prepare pre-reads, materials, and analyses for Strategy & Ops leadership discussions.
• Ensure effective follow‑up, tracking, and closure of actions arising from Strategy & Ops meetings.

5. Broader CDO and Enterprise Support

• Support broader CDO initiatives such as the preparation of global townhalls, events, and communications.
• Support logistics and administration of CDO preparation for critical governance and decision‑making bodies (e.g., Portfolio Committee).
• Take on additional strategic or operational assignments as required, aligned to CDO priorities.

HOW - Behavioural Competencies Required

Competency

Competency Behavioural Markers

Explanation of Choice

Excellence in Execution

• Approaches priority setting through the lens of execution
• Establishes clarity on goals, accountabilities, timelines, and next steps
• Focused and performance‑driven with clear KPIs
• Plans and aligns effectively (steps, resources, timelines)
• Displays commitment to best‑practice sharing
• Promotes single points of accountability

The role oversees brand planning, commercial process coordination, major operational programs, and a $30M+ budget—requiring disciplined execution, structured planning, operational rigor, and reliable delivery across all business units.

Collaborates

• Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Communicates and collaborates without boundaries
• Removes organizational barriers and supports continuous improvement
• Integrates learnings and demonstrates strong entrepreneurial mindset

Success depends on deep partnership with Oncology, Neuro, Rare, V&A, Operations, IC, Finance, Communications, and Leadership to ensure aligned planning cycles, coordinated field operations, and a unified approach to commercial execution.

Business Insights

• Makes decisions based on data, facts, and figures
• Considers different perspectives and the patients’ voice
• Translates insights into objectives and setting the bar

The role leads budget oversight, financial analysis, variance monitoring, operational decision support, and cross‑BU planning—requiring strong analytical capability and the ability to turn data into clear, actionable operational and financial direction.

HOW - Knowledge & Experience

Knowledge & Experience (essential):

• 5+ years of experience in pharmaceutical operations or similar operational experience
• Working knowledge of strategic and organizational planning
• A can-do attitude, problem-solving orientation and a constant Customer Service Focus are a must for this position
• Strong organization, time management and project coordination skills: Capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously – in an efficient way especially when working both on multiple instant user requests, and long-term projects.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills with the ability to interface with individuals from a variety of roles and cultures
• Strong analytical/critical thinking and decision-making abilities
• Able to work as part of a team in a fast-paced environment, as well as independently and to adapt quickly to changes
• Prior experience working within a cross-functional team and collaborating with subject matter experts on process steps.
• Strong computer literacy, proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
• Sound financial acumen is required
• Working understanding of ICH-GCP and other applicable worldwide regulations such as GDPR and HIPPA that govern clinical research.

Education / Certifications (essential):

• A bachelor’s degree (University/college degree)

Education / Certifications (preferred):

Language(s) (essential):

• English

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