Hybrid Associate Director, Clinical Sciences

at Novartis

• Job title: Associate Director, Clinical Sciences
• Job type: Full Time
• Experience level: Senior
• Salary: $152,600 - $283,400 per year
• Degree requirement: Bachelor's Degree
• Location requirements: Hybrid, East Hanover, United States

About the role

• Associate Director handling clinical sciences in support of US clinical trials at Novartis. Responsible for trial planning, execution, and cross-functional team collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for the implementation of designated clinical trials including investigator selection, patient recruitment, preparation of trial related documentation, TMF maintenance, and organizing Ethics Committee submissions.
• May provide strategic input to protocol design based on operational feasibility and execution strategy as appropriate.
• Accountable for the accuracy and timeliness of trial information in all trial databases and tracking systems.
• Serves as clinical trial leader for US Medical Affairs Trials (including Phase I-IV, Managed Access, Investigator Initiated, Research Collaborations and Registries).
• May serve as disease area(s) lead in support of Therapeutic Area Program Lead, Clinical Sciences.
• Interfaces with the disease area(s), global and US clinical team members, clinical operations, scientific operations, regulatory affairs, drug supply, data management, finance, quality, compliance, and other relevant functional areas.
• Liaises with study investigators, site research staff, and field-based colleagues to support clinical studies. Point of first contact when investigators/site personnel enquire about patient inclusion/exclusion criteria for ongoing trials.
• Organizes investigator’s start-up meeting and study site initiation meetings.
• Drives study enrollment, plan advisory boards, and perform external study feasibility with investigators.
• May independently develop strategic trial execution plan (e.g., recruitment retention, contingency plans) and timeline commitments for the US as appropriate.
• Maintains project files including: ethics committee approvals; curricula vitae of investigators and study personnel; clinical investigators brochure; protocols; case report forms instructions; consent documents; clinical trial material shipping orders; start-up meeting attendance documentation; letters of agreement; lab reference ranges; all investigator and site correspondence; and schedules of payment.
• Understands and complies with company SOPs and GCPs; contributes to continuous improvement in SOPs and local Working Practices.
• Responsible for the initial and subsequent drug supply across trials within a therapeutic area in collaboration with the Local Drug Supply Manager.
• Contributes to the preparation and review of clinical program documents (PowerPoint presentations, IND annual report, Health Authority (HA) briefing books, clinical study protocol, regulatory documents, clinical study reports, (CSR) and submissions) and other study related documents assuring quality and consistency.
• Supports the development, management and tracking of trial budgets working closely with the appropriate partners.
• Facilitates vendor selection and performance. Manages all vendors (CRO, Central lab etc.): definition of responsibilities, communication plan, divisions of responsibility, milestones, review monthly status reports, and the interactive management of all vendors to ensure project success.
• Coordinates the movement of laboratory samples and the resulting data when central laboratory facilities are used.
• Reviews all SAEs, ensures Medical Director sign-off, that sites are notified, and that all company procedures are complied with.
• Supports all scientific aspects of clinical trial(s) and program level activities as assigned.
• Provides mentorship to Managers and Specialists, Clinical Sciences, to ensure that their role and contribution is optimized.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in a science related field or a Registered Nursing certification or equivalent certification/licensure from an appropriately accredited institution.
• A minimum of 8 years of significant clinical research or research monitoring experience that provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities and experience mentoring or training others.
• Excellent understanding and demonstrated application of FDA guidelines, Good Clinical Practices, and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
• Ability to mentor and train other clinical associates in a positive and effective manner.
• Ability to evaluate medical research data and proficient knowledge of medical terminology.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with medical personnel.
• Effective presentation skills.
• Effective organizational and time management skills.
• Ability to utilize problem-solving techniques applicable to constantly changing environment.

Benefits

• health insurance
• life and disability benefits
• 401(k) with company contribution and match
• vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves