At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead global quality assurance for pharmacovigilance and ensure compliance with regulations.
- Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company focused on safety and quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strategic influence and operational oversight in a global setting.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on global health by ensuring drug safety and compliance.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in Quality Assurance with strong leadership and regulatory knowledge.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
The Head of Pharmacovigilance and Regulatory Quality Assurance leads the global quality and compliance function for our pharmacovigilance system. You are the independent quality authority ensuring that our end-to-end PV processes across clinical safety, regulatory affairs, and medical affairs remain compliant with global regulations, ICH guidelines, and company standards. Your role bridges strategic oversight with hands-on operational leadership: you design the audit strategy and governance framework that keeps the system fit for purpose, but you also own the day-to-day quality assurance of how PV actually works across the business.
You will direct both the strategic evolution of the PVRQA function and its operational delivery. This means setting the long-term compliance roadmap while simultaneously managing inspections, deviation management, and the practical quality controls that keep the system sound. You partner with senior leadership on strategic direction, but you're equally engaged in the details that matter—ensuring SOPs are fit for purpose, CAPA workflows are rigorous, and systems are inspection-ready.
The Role
You will direct the strategic development of the Global PVRQA function, supporting both the global R&D business and regional affiliates. Your focus is on three core pillars: Strategic Governance, Operational Excellence, and Regulatory Intelligence.
Key Accountabilities:
- Strategic Leadership: Harmonize processes within Global PVRQA and across other GxP areas. Contribute to the larger strategic vision of Global R&D Quality and interact with the Leadership Team to ensure continuous alignment.
- Audit Strategy: Own the long-term, risk-based audit strategy aligned with GVP Module IV; deliver annual internal and external audit programs covering global systems, affiliates, and 3rd party vendors.
- Inspection & Regulatory Management: Lead the preparation, conduct, and response phases for PV health authority inspections and 3rd party audits.
- System Oversight: Monitor PV system health through oversight of deviation management, CAPA, change management, and performance reporting (KPIs).
- Cross-Functional Expertise: Provide GVP consultancy and cross-GxP expertise (GCP, GDP, GCLP) to ensure coordination across functional areas, including Commercial and Clinical Development.
- Operational Management: Oversight of PV IT systems, procedural quality assurance (SOPs), and third-party/vendor management.
- Resource Stewardship: Direct budget development and resource allocation by strategically assessing workload and coordinating consultant activities.
- Continuous Improvement: Monitor global regulatory trends and methodologies to implement improvement initiatives in response to the evolving landscape.
Your Profile
The successful candidate will be a high-calibre Quality Assurance professional with the executive presence to influence global cross-functional teams and the technical depth to safeguard our Pharmacovigilance system.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Education: Undergraduate degree (BA/BS) in a Scientific or Life Sciences discipline; an advanced degree is preferred.
- Industry Tenure: 10+ years of pharmaceutical industry experience specifically within Quality Assurance.
- Leadership Track Record: Proven experience in a senior leadership capacity with deep knowledge of GVP/GCP regulations and international pharmacovigilance guidelines.
- Technical Mastery: Extensive understanding of end-to-end pharmacovigilance processes, including Deviation/CAPA management and the conduct of clinical research.
- Global Perspective: Experience working within global, cross-functional teams and managing complex regulatory interactions.
Leadership Attributes:
- Strategic Acumen: The ability to quickly analyze complex circumstances and drive appropriate decisions and actions.
- Communication & Influence: Excellent communication, negotiation, and influencing skills across all levels of the business.
- Operational Rigor: Strong organizational skills with a focus on customer service and the ability to manage complex budgets and resourcing plans.
Head, PV and Regulatory QA in Reading employer: CSL
As an Associate Director in Procurement Enablement at CSL, you will be part of a forward-thinking organisation that prioritises sustainability and governance while fostering a culture of continuous improvement and talent development. With a commitment to employee growth through the Global Procurement Academy and a collaborative work environment, CSL offers a unique opportunity to influence procurement practices on a global scale, making it an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and impactful careers.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head, PV and Regulatory QA in Reading
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like CSL. 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 CSL.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like CSL. 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 CSL is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head, PV and Regulatory QA in Reading
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 CSL!
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 CSL 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 CSL!
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 CSL, 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 CSL
✨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 CSL 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 CSL’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.
