At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global clinical trials and shape operational strategies in a pioneering biotech.
- Company: Join a stealth-mode biotech with a mission to transform patient care.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, remote work flexibility, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with a focus on collaboration and high-performance culture.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of innovative therapies and make a real impact in healthcare.
- Qualifications: 15+ years in clinical operations with strong leadership and strategic skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 120000 £ per year.
APX Life Sciences is partnering exclusively with a well-funded, stealth-mode biotechnology company developing a highly innovative therapeutic platform with the potential to transform patient care. This newly created Director / Senior Director, Clinical Operations position offers a rare opportunity to play a foundational role in shaping clinical operations within an emerging biotech. You will provide strategic and operational leadership across pivotal global clinical trials while helping establish scalable processes, systems, and best practices as the organisation grows. This is a highly visible, hands-on leadership role requiring close collaboration with executive leadership, cross-functional teams, CROs, and external partners to deliver high-quality studies with speed, agility, and scientific excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Clinical Study Leadership: Lead the operational delivery of global clinical studies from start-up through close-out, ensuring execution aligns with the overall clinical development strategy. Partner closely with the VP of Clinical Operations on strategic and operational decisions, providing recommendations, identifying key risks, and implementing effective mitigation plans. Thrive in a dynamic, evolving environment where priorities may shift as new scientific and clinical data emerge.
- CRO and Vendor Oversight: Build and lead high-performing partnerships with CROs and external vendors, ensuring delivery against timelines, quality standards, and budget. Drive accountability through proactive oversight, governance, and performance management.
- Clinical Documentation: Review and contribute to key clinical documents including protocols, informed consent forms (ICFs), investigator brochures (IBs), clinical study reports (CSRs), and other essential study documentation.
- Compliance and Inspection Readiness: Ensure all clinical trials are conducted in compliance with ICH-GCP, SOPs, and applicable international regulatory requirements. Maintain inspection-ready Trial Master Files (TMFs) and oversee quality throughout study execution.
- Risk and Issue Management: Proactively identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to minimise impact on timelines, budget, and study quality. Escalate critical issues appropriately while driving practical, solution-focused outcomes.
- Budget and Resource Management: Manage study budgets, forecasting, and financial tracking throughout the clinical programme. Support efficient resource planning across internal teams and external partners.
- Leadership and Team Development: Mentor and develop Clinical Trial Managers, Clinical Trial Associates, and other junior team members. Foster a collaborative, high-performance culture suited to an innovative, early-stage biotech environment.
- Process Development: Contribute to the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of SOPs, operational processes, and clinical infrastructure to support organisational growth.
Required Qualifications and Experience
- 15+ years of progressive global clinical operations experience within biotechnology and/or pharmaceutical companies.
- Experience working within early-stage, high-growth or emerging biotech environments, with the ability to balance strategic thinking and hands-on execution.
- Demonstrated success leading complex global clinical trials across multiple regions.
- Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, international regulatory requirements, CTMS, eTMF, and clinical quality standards.
- Extensive experience managing CROs and external vendors, including governance, performance oversight, and delivery management.
- Experience across complex therapeutic areas.
- Comfortable working across global time zones within geographically dispersed teams.
- Experience operating with both outsourced and in-house clinical operating models.
- Proven ability to work with ambiguity, adapt quickly to changing priorities, and deliver results in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent leadership, communication, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.
- Strong organisational skills with exceptional attention to detail and high-quality written and verbal communication.
Director Clinical Operations in Bradford employer: APX Life Sciences
Join a dynamic biotech company that values innovation and collaboration, offering you the chance to lead impactful global Phase I clinical trials. With a strong focus on employee growth, you'll benefit from a flexible hybrid working arrangement and a competitive contract rate, all while working in a supportive environment that encourages continuous improvement and excellence in clinical operations. This role not only allows you to influence study strategy but also positions you at the forefront of cutting-edge research in a fast-paced industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Clinical Operations in Bradford
✨Get Involved in Local Research Communities
Tap into local biotechnology meetups and research forums. These are great places to mingle with industry professionals, share your passion, and even discover unadvertised job openings. It's all about getting your face known in the field!
✨Leverage University Alumni Networks
If you're a recent grad, don’t underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network! Reach out to alumni working in biotechnology to gather tips about job openings at companies like APX Life Sciences. You'd be surprised how willing people are to help out a fellow grad!
✨Show Off Your Projects
Curate a portfolio showcasing any research projects or internships you've completed in biotechnology. This tangible evidence of your skills can really impress employers when you chat with them at networking events or interviews. It's about making that killer first impression!
✨Stay Up-to-Date with Industry Trends
Biotech is a fast-paced field, so keeping yourself updated with the latest advancements is crucial. Attend industry conferences, webinars, or workshops to broaden your knowledge and meet potential employers. Plus, it’ll give you fantastic talking points for your interviews at places like APX Life Sciences!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Clinical Operations in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Lab Skills:In the biotechnology field, it's super important to highlight your lab experience in your CV. Be sure to mention specific techniques or instruments you've mastered (think PCR, gel electrophoresis, etc.) and any relevant projects you've worked on. This will show APX Life Sciences that you have the hands-on skills they need.
Tailor Your Technical Skills:Make sure to emphasise your technical skills, especially those relevant to the biotechnology sector. Include any software tools or programming languages you've used, like R or Python for data analysis, which could be key for this role at APX Life Sciences.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Since this is a full-time role, your cover letter should reflect not only your passion for biotechnology but also your long-term career ambitions. Share why you're excited about the work that APX Life Sciences does and how you envision contributing to their goals. This shows that you’re not just looking for any job, but you're genuinely invested in this opportunity.
Include Your Papers and Projects:If you've published any papers or contributed to significant projects, mention them! These documents can boost your application and provide tangible evidence of your expertise in the biotechnology field. Don’t forget to link to any relevant publications or project summaries—this can set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at APX Life Sciences
✨Brush Up on Lab Techniques
Since you're eyeing a full-time gig in biotechnology, make sure you're well-versed in the lab techniques relevant to the role. Be ready to talk about PCR, CRISPR, or any specific methods mentioned in the job description at APX Life Sciences. You might even be asked to demonstrate your understanding of these processes.
✨Know Your Bioinformatics Tools
Get comfortable with bioinformatics tools that are commonly used in the industry, like BLAST or Bioconductor. These are key in biotechnology, and having hands-on experience or at least familiarity can set you apart. Prepare to discuss any relevant projects you've worked on, especially if they involved data analysis or genomic research.
✨Show Your Teamwork Skills
Biotech often involves collaboration across multiple disciplines. Be ready to share stories that highlight your teamwork and communication skills, especially in research projects. Think about working with different teams at university or any internships – this is where you can show how well you fit into APX Life Sciences's culture.
✨Research Recent Biotech Innovations
Stay updated on the latest trends and breakthroughs in biotechnology. Knowing what's happening in the field can help you engage in more meaningful discussions during your interview. Bring up recent articles or advancements that excite you, especially those related to the work being done at APX Life Sciences. This shows your passion for the industry!