Senior Clinical Trial Manager
Jazz Pharmaceuticals
Summary
The Global Study Leader (GSL) leads global Phase I–IV clinical trials, overseeing strategy, execution and cross-functional alignment. They manage vendors, budgets, timelines, and documentation and serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in audits, process design, and team leadership, ensuring Good Clinical Practice (GCP) compliance and operational excellence across studies.
Job description
Essential Functions/Responsibilities
- In partnership with the study team and internal and external service providers, provides oversight to ensure study delivery and ensure operational excellence. Delegate tasks to study team members as appropriate.
- Lead implementation, execution and management of global Phase I–IV clinical trials.
- Lead, facilitate and delegate trial-related meetings, ensuring alignment with cross-functional teams.
- Act as a primary point of escalation for cross-functional stakeholders for timely issue resolution and alignment.
- Participate in program-level discussions (FMT, GPT), providing clear and timely updates to senior management (as needed).
- Develop and execute clinical trial strategies in collaboration with cross-functional teams during the trial lifecycle including tracking and reporting trial progress, risks and mitigation strategies to senior leadership.
- Hold overall accountability for the Trial Master File (TMF). Acts as an SME for Clinical Operations related sections.
- Lead the development and review of trial—specific plans and essential clinical trial documents.
- Review and approve key trial documents including protocols, informed consent forms, monitoring plans, and Clinical Study Reports (CSRs) in line with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Actively contributes to the operational oversight and strategic direction of assigned studies, including feasibility assessments, planning, vendor selection, patient recruitment strategies, and financial forecasting.
- Contribute to the planning and conduct of Investigator Meetings, including driving meeting preparation, presenting trial materials, and supporting effective delivery of key messages.
- Identify, assess, and proactively manage risk and contingencies to safeguard timelines, quality and compliance.
- Develop, manage and track trial timelines and budgets, in line with projected spend. Estimate, track and critically analyze vendor financial spend on trials.
- Accountable for the oversight and management of external service providers and vendors to ensure quality, compliance, and performance.
- Oversee trial tracking activities and ensure accurate, timely updates within trial management systems.
- Accountable for final approval and oversight of trial documentation archiving in compliance with regulatory and company requirements.
- Serves as trial lead and SME during audits and inspections.
- Coordinate Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) shipment authorization with regulatory and clinical supplies functions.
- Assist and support data query process.
- Perform monitoring visit report review (as required).
- Lead and participate in Clinical Operations / Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO) initiatives (as assigned).
- Serves as a Clinical Operations SME in the design and review of processes.
- Ensure trial activities are conducted according to GCP and relevant SOPs and in accordance with the agreed timelines and trial protocol.
Leadership / People Management Responsibilities
- Mentor and coach Global Study Managers (GSMs) Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), and Global Study Associates (GSAs) to support professional development.
- Lead Clinical Trial Working Groups (CTWGs).
- Provide leadership in resolving complex trial issues and escalating risks appropriately.
- Manage and maintain high performing clinical teams.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- 7+ years of clinical research experience, with proven global trial management and portfolio-level oversight with a minimum of 3 years in clinical operations leadership roles.
- Excellent organizational skills, time-management and attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and stakeholder management abilities.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
- Experience with and strong knowledge of Clinical Trial electronic systems (e.g., TMF, Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS), etc.).
- Strong knowledge of clinical trial processes, ICH-GCP, and regulatory requirements.
- Strong knowledge of regulatory start up process and planning in support of Study Start-Up (SSU).
- Proven track record of effectively managing in a cross-functional environment.
- Excellent project management skills with a proven track record of managing global, multi-center clinical trials.
- Strong leadership and governance experience; ability to influence at senior levels.
Required/Preferred Education and Licenses
Bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field, or equivalent experience. Advanced degree preferred.
Requirements
- 7+ years of clinical research experience
- Minimum of 3 years in clinical operations leadership roles
- Proven global trial management and portfolio-level oversight
- Excellent organizational skills, time-management and attention to detail
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and stakeholder management abilities
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
- Experience with and strong knowledge of Clinical Trial electronic systems (e.g., TMF, CTMS)
- Strong knowledge of clinical trial processes, ICH-GCP, and regulatory requirements
- Strong knowledge of regulatory start up process and planning in support of Study Start-Up (SSU)
- Proven track record of effectively managing in a cross-functional environment
- Excellent project management skills with a proven track record of managing global, multi-center clinical trials
- Strong leadership and governance experience; ability to influence at senior levels
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field, or equivalent experience
- Advanced degree preferred
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement savings plan
- Flexible paid vacation
- Discretionary annual cash bonus
- Incentive compensation
- Discretionary equity grants
Company overview
Jazz Pharmaceuticals plc (Nasdaq: JAZZ) is a global biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with significant operations in the United States and Europe. Founded in 2003 in California, the company specializes in developing and commercializing innovative medicines for patients with serious diseases, with a primary focus on oncology and neuroscience. Jazz Pharmaceuticals is renowned for its flagship product Xyrem (sodium oxybate), which treats excessive daytime sleepiness and cataplexy in narcolepsy patients, generating substantial revenue for the company. The company's portfolio also includes treatments for epilepsy, sleep disorders, hematology, and oncology, with notable products such as Erwinaze, Defitelio, FazaClo, and Vyxeos. Through strategic acquisitions including GW Pharmaceuticals in 2021, Jazz expanded its neuroscience portfolio with cannabis-based medicines like Epidiolex for severe epilepsy syndromes. With approximately 2,800 employees worldwide and operations across multiple continents, Jazz Pharmaceuticals maintains a strong commitment to research and development, focusing on transforming biopharmaceutical discoveries into novel therapies for patients with limited treatment options. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Ireland, England, and Italy, and continues to pursue innovative approaches to address critical unmet medical needs in specialized therapeutic areas.