Director, Clinical Operations

Join a Legacy of Innovation 110 Years and Counting!

Daiichi Sankyo Group is dedicated to the creation and supply of innovative pharmaceutical therapies to improve standards of care and address diversified, unmet medical needs of people globally by leveraging our world-class science and technology. With more than 100 years of scientific expertise and a presence in more than 20 countries, Daiichi Sankyo and its 15,000 employees around the world draw upon a rich legacy of innovation and a robust pipeline of promising new medicines to help people. In addition to a strong portfolio of medicines for cardiovascular diseases, under the Group’s 2025 Vision to become a “Global Pharma Innovator with Competitive Advantage in Oncology,” Daiichi Sankyo is primarily focused on providing novel therapies in oncology, as well as other research areas centered around rare diseases and immune disorders.

Job Summary:

Senior clinical operational leader accountable for operational planning and execution of FIH, clin pharm patient studies, and Phases 1-3 clinical trials at the study and program level.

Responsible for clinical program planning and execution (from study design, operational planning, start-up, conduct, reporting, and close out) including timeline, quality, and budget management

Drives and leads the successful execution of all operational components of a large-scale global clinical program using strong clinical project and program management, leadership, decision-making ability, people management, and organizational skills and expert level written and verbal communication skills.

The role is primarily responsible for Operational Program Strategy and Execution and will have the responsibility of managing multiple direct reports.

Responsibilities:

Operational Strategy

• Align with the Head of Clinical Development Operations or Senior Director, Clinical Operations on plans for successful implementation of studies. Responsible for management of compounds at the program and franchise levels. May represents Clinical Operations on the Strategy and Portfolio or Clinical Sub Teams in their therapeutic area.
• Ensure operational aspects are incorporated into CDP planning and individual protocols to facilitate successful implementation of programs.

Clinical Operations

• Ensure high quality delivery of all studies for which they are responsible. This includes individual studies as well as programs or franchises.
• When sitting on a study team, lead the study team to develop a cross-functional, integrated study plan and create initial study budget. Review study feasibility assessments provided by the CRO(s), lead the CRO selection process and provide input into ARO selection.
• Validate the study implementation plan provided by the CRO through to study close out and CSR writing. Ensure the timing of the major study milestones and the associated budget meet the needs of the overall development plan agreed to by the Global Project Team (GPT).
• Lead site selection and site qualification discussions, kick-off meetings and study team meetings.
• Oversee the CRO and provide timely input to ensure that the study is executed according to the agreed project plan. Complete a study risk assessment and ensure mitigation and contingency measures are prepared and implemented. Actively assess potential risks to the study and propose mitigation plans.

CRO and Quality Oversight

• Responsible for oversight of all CROs utilized within their therapeutic area. May represent Clinical Operations on the DS/CRO Joint Operating Committee. Work with Process Excellence and Risk Management to ensure oversight plans are in place for all studies falling under their responsibility.
• Design, update and implement appropriate innovative and best-in-class procedures and SOP’s related to clinical study oversight and execution.
• Work with TMF Operations to ensure a state of inspection readiness for all TMFs and ensure quality expectations are met.
• When sitting on a study team, responsible for management of CRO(s) performance to ensure adherence to scope of work within timelines and budget at an overall study level. Specifically, track major study milestones and monitor overall operational performance metrics through the life of the study. Identify issues early and propose solutions. Whenever possible, resolve issues that have been escalated or if warranted, take issues to the appropriate governance committee.
• Create the budget at study start up, and monitor the overall agreed budget against trial progress. Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure team awareness of the CRO scope of work (to minimize unwarranted change orders) and budget, so both can be managed appropriately.
• Provide oversight of the CRO to ensure compliance with Daiichi Sankyo’s quality measures. Leads the creation of the Risk Identification and Management Log (RIM Log) and other risk related plans and ensure study team adherence and utilization. Be aware of and be able to predict deviations or potential noncompliance concerns (at a protocol level, site level, study level) and rapidly resolve or escalate to appropriate Governance Committee. Analyze CRO performance trends within a clinical study or across several studies and resolve or escalate accordingly.

People and Resource Management

• Responsible for resource management within their therapeutic area. Management requires review of resources against development pipeline to identify areas of resource gaps or excess. Management includes appropriate use of DS employees and contractors to ensure adequate staffing at all times.
• This position may require the supervision of functional and/or direct reports. In addition to providing instruction, direction of daily activities in support of goals, the supervisor will conduct a performance evaluation against development goals and career path requirements for their direct reports. The supervisor should coach and guide their functional and/or direct reports in support of their development needs, and facilitate conflict resolution on their behalf.

Qualifications: Successful candidates will be able to meet the qualifications below with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Education/Experience:

A Bachelor’s degree in the Sciences is acceptable

10 years relevant experience is required with a BS, 5 years with a MS/MPH, or 5 years with PharmD/PhD

Experience considered relevant includes clinical or basic research in a Pharmaceutical company, a Medical device/Diagnostic company, Academic Research Organization (ARO) or Contract Research Organization (CRO). CRA experience is preferred. Time spent directly in a medical environment (e.g. as a Study Site Coordinator) is also considered relevant.

Daiichi Sankyo, Inc. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.