Associate Director, Central Monitor - Hybrid in Marlow

The Central Monitoring Associate Director is responsible for leading a cross‑functional team of Central Monitoring Managers charged with de‑risking assigned clinical studies to advance AbbVie clinical research and development programs. The Associate Director is accountable for service delivery results (quality, efficiency, on‑time and on‑objective delivery) and for building and strengthening the talent pipeline for today’s needs and for future leaders. The Associate Director of Central Monitoring is a manager‑of‑manager position that will be filled when organizational size requires this level to manage span of control.

Responsibilities

• Maximise the value and efficiently utilise AbbVie’s most valuable resource (staff) in the front‑line Central Monitoring space.
• Lead, manage, and supervise a combined team of Central Monitoring Managers with delivery responsibilities for a portfolio of studies.
• Create an internal leadership talent pipeline and mentor/coaches team members on their leadership journey.
• Foster a growth mindset within the team based on inclusive collaboration, innovation, learning and continuous improvement that delivers successful outcomes for the study, the team, the individual and the business.
• Develop the central monitoring staffing strategy and tactics in support of assigned clinical research programs to ensure execution with quality and efficiency, on‑time, and in line with company objectives.
• Execute and manage the central monitoring staffing strategy, including fluidly adjusting plans in support of project priorities and/or timelines.
• Recruit, hire, and train the front‑line Central Monitoring Leadership team, including therapeutic area training, compliance training and study management‑specific knowledge as required to perform assigned tasks.
• Manage the performance cycle including expectation setting, objective setting (both tactical and stretch opportunities), the provision of constructive and timely feedback, reviews and resolution of any performance issues.
• Interact with and influence all levels of management and cross‑functional team members in Clinical Development Operations to achieve high standards of output from front‑line Central Monitoring Leadership staff.

This is a hybrid‑based role working on‑site T‑TH. Candidates must be local to Marlow and work on‑site 3 days a week.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, may include life sciences or risk‑based discipline.
• Extensive clinically related experience or data trend analysis experience, and people management experience (remote experience preferred).
• Experience working in an RBQM‑model or similar experience with risk‑based monitoring required.
• Experience/exposure to drug development, operations, risk management, successful decision‑making, strategic execution.
• Proven leadership skills in a cross‑functional global team environment.
• Experience in managing remote/virtual teams and an ability to influence and align stakeholders, while modelling and driving AbbVie’s leadership attributes.
• Ability to remove obstacles and provide support that enables direct reports to achieve results.
• Able to successfully coach and mentor both with direct reports and in a matrix environment.
• Respectfully provides transparent, accurate and timely feedback to help direct reports improve performance.
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills and the ability to evaluate complex issues from multiple perspectives and drive SMART SURE decision making and timely outcomes.
• Ability to anticipate and address critical issues and develop contingency plans proactively.
• Acts with integrity in accordance with ABBVIE code of business conduct.
• Evangelist for RBQM within the organization, promoting the value of early detection in de‑risking studies.
• Strong English language skills—spoken, written, and conversational.
• Lead dynamic meetings and create engaging presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate persuasively and with clarity, flexibility, and adaptability to changing requirements, resourcefulness, and creativity.
• Demonstrated proactive and positive team player.
• Able to maintain calm, cool, collected, and competent composure in high‑pressure situations to ensure successful hand‑off to stakeholders responsible for taking action.
• Open and receptive to feedback in the pursuit of continuous improvement.
• Exhibits strong planning and organisational skills and high level of flexibility in a dynamic environment with competing projects and deadlines.
• Comfortable with use/operation of data analytics and visualisation tools for oversight.
• Competent with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams).

Grade and Benefits Will Depend on Local Country

AbbVie is an equal‑opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.