At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead innovative gene therapy programs in neurological diseases and drive clinical operations.
- Company: Stealth mode TechBio company focused on high growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, stock options, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities to integrate AI solutions and build new capabilities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by advancing groundbreaking therapies for neurological conditions.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in clinical operations with experience in Phase II/III trials, preferably in biotech.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid. Three days a week in central London office
Compensation: Base salary between £120,000 - £150,000 + annual bonus and meaningful stock options in high growth business.
We are currently partnered with a stealth mode TechBio company to help them appoint an experienced operational leader to drive delivery across their innovative gene therapy programs in neurological and psychiatric diseases, initially focused on Parkinson's disease with the plan to explore additional indications.
Reporting directly to the C-Suite, the Clinical Operations Lead will be responsible for leading their late stage asset through the rest of development and into market entry and a potential asset sale, combining strong clinical development and operational expertise with an entrepreneurial, technology driven mindset.
This is a highly empowered role for someone who looks beyond traditional clinical operations and is motivated by creating success across the full product lifecycle, focusing on high quality clinical execution while also supporting with trial related insights that can serve regulators, payers, physicians and HTA bodies.
The ideal candidate is decisive, accountable and comfortable navigating in a high energy, high growth and driven environment who is excited to build new capabilities rather than simply maintain existing processes. You will bring the expertise of an experienced drug developer with the curiosity and openness of embedding AI solutions to improve success and timelines.
Responsibilities
- Clinical Set-up and Execution
- Support trial design, planning and setup including vendor, country and site selection
- Ensure the timely and accurate completion of necessary regulatory applications across jurisdictions, including Health authorities, as well as GMO bodies, IRBs, site-specific committees and others
- Drive the operational management and execution of clinical development programs in a hands-on, highly organized and proactive manner
- Oversee, monitor and control CROs, vendors, and study teams to ensure high-quality delivery, timeline adherence, budget control and operational excellence
- Anticipate operational risks and bottlenecks, and implement pragmatic solutions to maintain program momentum and delivery timelines
- Engage with investigators and site personnel to drive strong patient recruitment
- Ensure the integrity and quality of clinical trial data, oversee data reconciliation, support safety surveillance, support data quality and consistency assessments and contribute to safety review committees
- Align & engage with our development partners throughout the different programs
- Innovation & Healthcare Technology
- Challenge conventional approaches and identify opportunities to accelerate clinical development while maintaining high trial quality
- Evaluate and integrate emerging AI solutions and innovative operational approaches (direct or through vendors) to optimise trial execution, patient enrolment, trial management, and safety monitoring
- Explore and advance innovative clinical trial strategies and technologies, including proactive engagement with regulators and stakeholders to support adoption
- Program Strategy
- Drive program management and trial execution with a forward-looking mindset, supporting early evidence for registration, reimbursement, payer discussion and commercial launch
- Identify practical opportunities within the phase III program to generate launch-relevant insights, including patient journey, treatment patterns, endpoint optimisation, site feedback, and real-world evidence opportunities
- Lead structured KME/site engagement to build scientific advocacy, understand adoption barriers, and strengthen launch readiness from the clinical program onward
Required skills & qualifications
- 10+ years of relevant experience in clinical operations, clinical development operations, or clinical program leadership within biotech, pharma, or CRO environments
- Demonstrated experience leading Phase II/III or pivotal clinical trials, ideally in multi-country or global settings
- Proven ability to manage CROs, vendors, site coordination, budgets, timelines, risks, and quality deliverables in a hands-on, solution-oriented manner
- Ideally experienced with running late stage clinical trials within the CNS Therapeutic area, and experience with Cell and Gene Therapies is advantageous.
- Experience in a small biotech or high growth environment would be seen as a bonus. It's not essential, but the environment would be very different to that of large pharma or top 5 CRO.
To discuss this opportunity further please reach out to Chris Gibson on cgibson@barringtonjames.com
Director Clinical Operations in London employer: Barrington James
As a Quality Control Scientist in our leading pharmaceutical/biotech QC laboratory, you will thrive in a collaborative team environment that prioritises scientific excellence and compliance with GMP standards. We offer competitive day rates and the opportunity to enhance your skills in microbiology and quality control testing, ensuring your professional growth in a fast-paced and regulated setting.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Director Clinical Operations in London
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like Barrington James. These are goldmines for making connections and learning about job openings before they hit the mainstream job boards.
✨Join Relevant Professional Bodies
Get involved with organisations such as the Royal Pharmaceutical Society or your local pharmaceutical professionals' network. Being an active member can boost your credibility and may even lead to job referrals in top organisations like Barrington James.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like Barrington James. These opportunities often pave the way for full-time positions and allow you to demonstrate your capabilities firsthand.
✨Tailor Your Approach
When you're applying for roles, don't rush it! Take the time to customise your applications for specific positions, showcasing relevant skills and experiences that align with what Barrington James is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Director Clinical Operations in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Relevant Experience:When applying for a role in the pharmaceutical industry, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Whether that's internships, lab work, or even related coursework, make sure to weave this into your CV and cover letter. We want to see how your background aligns with the role you're applying for at Barrington James!
Emphasise Your Understanding of Regulations:The pharmaceutical industry is heavily regulated, so it's important to indicate your familiarity with industry standards and regulations. In your cover letter, mention any training or certifications you've received that are relevant, or discuss projects where you’ve navigated compliance. This will show Barrington James that you're not just a fit for the job but also a safety-conscious candidate!
Tailor Your CV to Be Result-Driven:Craft your CV to highlight quantifiable achievements, especially if you have previous roles in pharmaceuticals or related fields. Use metrics to demonstrate your impact, such as improved processing times or successful project completions while working on trials. This analytical approach will resonate well with hiring managers at Barrington James!
Convey Your Passion for the Industry:In your cover letter, express why you are passionate about working in the pharmaceutical sector. Whether it’s your desire to contribute to groundbreaking drug research or improve patient outcomes, let it shine through! At Barrington James, we value candidates who are truly enthusiastic about their work—you might just stand out from the crowd.
How to prepare for a job interview at Barrington James
✨Understand the Science
Make sure you brush up on key pharmaceutical concepts and recent developments in the industry. You might get asked some technical questions during the interview at Barrington James that show your grasp of drug development processes or regulatory requirements, so be ready to discuss them clearly.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
If you have any hands-on experience or internships in a laboratory setting, be sure to highlight these in your responses. Think about the projects you worked on, the methodologies you used, and the impact you made. It's all about telling a story that connects your background to the role you're applying for.
✨Know Their Products
Take some time to familiarise yourself with Barrington James’s product range and recent breakthroughs. Understanding their portfolio not only shows your enthusiasm for the role but also allows you to ask insightful questions that demonstrate your interest in actively contributing to their projects.
✨Be Ready for Regulatory Scenarios
In a full-time pharmaceutical role, understanding the regulatory landscape is crucial. Prepare for situational questions that may test your problem-solving skills concerning compliance and safety standards. You could be asked how you'd handle a hypothetical issue regarding a drug’s market release, so think through your approach.