Associate 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:

Lead execution of global or local clinical studies, in adherence to Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), appropriate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations/EU Directive, and International Conference on Harmonization (ICH) guidelines.

A key focus will be the oversight of, and interactions with CROs and other external vendors to ensure studies are conducted according to the timeline, budget and quality measures set forth by the Study team.
The Associate Director will take responsibility for the clinical operational strategy and overall delivery of the clinical study (i.e. Delivery Lead role) and will represent Clinical Operations on the study team. This position may require line management responsibility of Clinical Study Managers, who are primarily responsibility for the tactical execution of the study. In the absence of Clinical Study Manager, the Associate Director will be expected to take both strategic and tactical roles (refer to, Sr. CSM PDQ) in order to deliver the study.

Responsibilities:

Study Planning, Budget and Execution

• Lead the study team to develop a cross-functional, integrated study plan to study start up (in-house), and create initial study budget. Review study feasibility assessments provided by the CRO(s), select the CRO 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 by the Integrated Project Team (IPT).
• Lead site selection and site qualification discussions with study team and CRO.

• Take responsibility for incorporating the operational delivery aspects and logistics into the protocol and lead document writing and review for the protocol and amendments. Additional medical writing tasks may involve ICF, CRF guidelines, IB and safety communications, DSUR, IND.

• Lead the study team kick-off meetings and subsequent team meetings (DS alone or with CRO and/or ARO meetings). Work with the Medical Lead to create the DSMB Charter, and take accountability for DSMB (or adjudication committee) meeting management. Take responsibility to ensure meeting logistics, agenda and minutes are in accordance with DS standards.

• 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.

• Take specific accountability to oversee the quality of interim analysis prior to data base lock (DBL), liaise with CRO to ensure timely DBL is achieved, and ensure delivery of the CSR in close coordination with the Medical Writer or CRO.

CRO and Quality Oversight:

• 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. Lead the creation of the Quality Oversight Plan (QOP) and ensure study team adherence to the QOP. Be aware of and be able to predict deviations or potential non-compliance concerns (at a protocol level, site level, study level) and rapidly resolve or escalate to appropriate Governance Committee.

People Management

• 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.

Clinical Operations Management/General

• Design, update and implement appropriate innovative and best-in-class procedures and SOP’s related to clinical study development and execution, in collaboration with Quality Assurance.

• Collaborate with Quality Assurance, QC function and regulatory Operations to implement TMF quality standards.

• This position may require support to overseeing implementation of CAPA in relation to sponsor’s audit or regulatory inspection.

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.

• Candidates with a nursing diploma/associate degree with substantial experience may be considered for this position.
• 7 years relevant experience is required with a BS, 5 years with a MS/MPH, or 3 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.