At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead HR strategy and operations for a patient-centric clinical trial site network.
- Company: Civia Health, transforming lives through innovative clinical research.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and a culture of empathy and integrity.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare while developing talent and culture.
- Qualifications: 10+ years HR experience, strong knowledge of UK employment law.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel opportunities and a focus on patient-first values.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
Department: Human Strategy
Reports To: Chief Human Strategy Officer
Location: Leeds, UK
On-site / Multi-site Travel: Up to 30% (site visits across the network)
Our Purpose: At Civia Health, we’re building a patient-centric clinical trial site network designed to transform lives and advance science — with empathy, integrity, and trust at the center of everything we do. We believe access to clinical research is access to care, and we exist to make that care human.
Role Summary: The Senior/Director of Human Strategy serves as a hands-on leader responsible for scaling and operationalizing all core HR functions across a growing clinical trial site network. This role partners closely with site leadership, site leads, and functional heads to ensure the organization attracts, develops, and retains talent while operating with the highest standards of compliance, patient-centricity, and cultural integrity. This leader balances strategy and execution, building scalable people systems while remaining deeply connected to the realities of multi-site clinical operations.
Responsibilities
- Culture, Engagement & Leadership Development: Human Strategy & Leadership Partnership
- Serve as a trusted advisor to site leadership teams
- Translate business strategy, growth plans, and regulatory requirements into scalable people strategies
- Lead HR decision-making with a balance of empathy, integrity, and operational rigor
- Act as a visible leader across sites, reinforcing culture, values, and accountability
- Own the full employee lifecycle across the site network—workforce planning, hiring, onboarding, development, performance, and exits
- Ensure consistent HR practices across all sites while allowing for local regulatory nuances
- Oversee personnel files, documentation, and data integrity
- Build repeatable, audit-ready HR processes suitable for a regulated clinical environment
- Lead and oversee employee relations matters, investigations, and corrective actions
- Coach leaders on performance management, difficult conversations, and people decisions
- Manage performance management frameworks aligned with clinical quality, patient experience, and business outcomes
- Ensure fair, consistent, and legally compliant application of policies across sites
- Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws across all operating geographies
- Partner with Legal, Compliance, and Clinical Operations to align HR practices with GCP, FDA expectations, and site audits
- Lead HR readiness for inspections, audits, and due diligence activities
- Maintain and evolve HR policies, and training programs
- Partner with Talent Acquisition to support hiring for critical site roles (PI support, CRCs, RNs, Site Directors, corporate roles)
- Ensure hiring practices meet both speed-to-hire and quality/compliance standards
- Support workforce planning tied to site launches, trial starts, and enrollment ramp-up
- Build strong onboarding experiences that reinforce patient-first and quality-first expectations
- Champion a patient-first, human-centered culture across all sites and corporate teams
- Work with Human Strategy team to deploy engagement surveys, feedback mechanisms, and action planning
- Help support leadership development, manager training, and succession planning
- Embed company values into performance reviews, recognition, and daily operations
Qualifications Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources, Business, or related field
- 10+ years of progressive HR experience, including senior leadership responsibility
- Demonstrated experience supporting multi-site, regulated environments
- Strong knowledge of UK employment law and HR compliance
- Proven ability to operate at both strategic and tactical levels
Strongly Preferred
- Experience in clinical research, healthcare delivery, life sciences, or clinical trial site networks
- Experience scaling HR in a high-growth or private equity / venture-backed environment
- Experience partnering with Compliance, Legal, and Clinical Operations teams
Core Competencies
- Executive presence and sound judgment
- High integrity and discretion
- Ability to lead through complexity and ambiguity
- Strong coaching and influencing skills
- Deep commitment to patient-centric and employee-centric practices
Senior Director, Human Strategy Business Partner (Clinical Trial Site Network) in East Keswick employer: Civia Health
Contact Detail:
Civia Health Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Director, Human Strategy Business Partner (Clinical Trial Site Network) in East Keswick
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with folks in the clinical trial space. Attend industry events, join relevant online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Senior Director role.
✨Tip Number 2
Showcase your expertise! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your experience in multi-site HR operations and compliance. Share specific examples of how you've successfully scaled HR functions in previous roles to demonstrate your value.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those interviews! Research Civia Health and understand their mission of patient-centricity. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their culture and values, especially around empathy and integrity. Tailor your responses to show you’re the perfect fit for their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the Civia Health family. Let’s get you that dream job!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Director, Human Strategy Business Partner (Clinical Trial Site Network) in East Keswick
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Senior Director, Human Strategy. Highlight your experience in HR, especially in multi-site environments, and showcase how you've successfully scaled HR functions in previous roles.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about patient-centric care and how your values align with ours. Be specific about your leadership style and how you’ve driven cultural change in past positions.
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your work history, focus on experiences that relate to compliance, employee relations, and performance management. We want to see how you've navigated complex HR challenges and contributed to a positive workplace culture.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Civia Health
✨Know the Company Inside Out
Before your interview, dive deep into Civia Health's mission and values. Understand their patient-centric approach and how they aim to transform lives through clinical trials. This knowledge will help you align your answers with their core principles and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Given the nature of the Senior Director role, expect scenario-based questions that assess your ability to handle complex HR situations. Think of examples from your past experience where you've successfully navigated challenges in multi-site environments, showcasing your strategic and tactical skills.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Be ready to discuss your leadership philosophy and how it aligns with fostering a culture of empathy and integrity. Prepare to share specific instances where you've acted as a trusted advisor, reinforcing accountability and cultural values across teams.
✨Highlight Compliance Knowledge
Since this role involves ensuring compliance with various regulations, brush up on UK employment law and any relevant clinical trial regulations. Be prepared to discuss how you've implemented compliant HR practices in previous roles, especially in regulated environments.