Closing Date: 7th August 2026. Interviews: 12th August 2026.
Job Overview
The Clinical Trial Manager / Site Delivery Lead reports directly to the Head of Clinical Operations, providing clear, timely updates on study progress, site performance, risks, and operational issues across the EMS Community Research Sites. Mandated to translate strategic objectives into operational delivery, the role ensures consistent application of EMS standards and drives high‑quality, compliant study execution.
The remit includes end‑to‑end operational leadership for clinical research studies across EMS Community Research Sites, acting as the designated site delivery lead within Clinical Operations. Responsibilities encompass daily site performance oversight, staff leadership, and delivery of compliant clinical research activity in line with protocol, ICH‑GCP, and applicable regulatory mandates.
The Candidate must also provide functional line management to Site Managers, mandating consistent application of EMS ways of working, mandatory operational standards, and mandated clinical research delivery practices across regions.
Main Duties
- Study Delivery Leadership
- Lead day‑to‑day operational delivery of clinical research studies across EMS Community Research Sites from a Clinical Operations perspective
- Translate protocol and sponsor requirements into clear, standardised workflows and procedures for site teams
- Oversee site readiness, activation, conduct and close‑out across EMS Community Research Sites
- Maintain high standards of protocol adherence, documentation quality, and GCP compliance at every stage. Act as the accountable owner for site level quality performance
- Act as a point of contact for the client / CRO / sponsor and escalation pathway
- Support site teams in preparing for sponsor / CRO monitoring visits and audits and ensure timely follow‑up and closure of any findings or CAPAs
- Track operational performance for agreed KPIs in areas such as recruitment delivery expectations, participant visit timelines, protocol compliance, performance indicators, data entry timelines
- Drive timely corrective and preventive actions where required
- Line‑manage Site Managers as required (permanent, contract and agency staff) to ensure consistency in delivery standards and operational excellence
- Set clear objectives, deliver feedback, conduct performance reviews, and provide ongoing coaching
- Support the development of staffing structures and rota expectations across EMS sites
- Participate in staff recruitment, onboarding and induction
- Lead and embed a high‑performance culture across study teams
- Coordinate resourcing, workload, and capacity across Community Research Sites to meet study timelines
- Ensure all site staff complete required GCP and study‑specific training before performing trial‑related tasks and maintain compliance throughout the study
- Promote consistent EMS "way of working" across all hubs, ensuring best‑practice SOP and visit‑flow adoption
- Ensure essential documents, investigator site files and other site documentation are maintained to inspection ready standards
- Lead issue resolution, risk management, and cross‑functional problem‑solving
- Collaborate with Project Management, Operations, Medical, and Regulatory/Quality to maintain delivery to agreed milestones
- Ensure alignment between EMS operational delivery and sponsor expectations
- Contribute to the development and refinement of systems and processes
- Capture lessons learned and feed into SOP updates, system enhancements, and training improvements
- Enable EMS community research sites to operate as a high‑performing, scalable clinical research site network
Experience – Essential
- Minimum 5‑7 years' experience in clinical research, including substantial experience in site‑based roles (e.g. Clinical Research Coordinator, Senior Site Manager, Regional Manager, CTM or equivalent)
- At least 2‑3 years' experience managing clinical research staff (e.g. Site Managers, Site Facilitators, Clinical Research Nurses) with responsibility for performance and development
- Experience leading clinical operations for multi‑study or multi‑site clinical research within a site network, SMO or dedicated research site
- Strong working knowledge of ICH‑GCP and applicable regulatory requirements (e.g. MHRA, FDA/EMA) and how they apply at site level
- Proven track record of meeting or exceeding enrolment, quality and timeline targets
- Experience using clinical systems such as Electronic Data Capture (EDC) Systems, Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS) and other eClinical platforms
Experience – Desirable
- Experience with mobile, community‑based or decentralised / hybrid clinical trial models
- Exposure to complex protocols where operational discipline is critical
- Professional certification (e.g. ACRP, SOCRA or equivalent) or post‑graduate training in clinical research / clinical operations
Key Skills and Competencies
- Strong leadership and people‑management skills, with the ability to set clear expectations and hold teams accountable
- Deep understanding of how a high‑performing clinical research site operates day‑to‑day (visit flow, documentation, safety reporting, oversight)
- Excellent organisational and time‑management skills; able to manage multiple sites and competing priorities
- Strong problem‑solving and decision‑making ability with a pragmatic, hands‑on approach
- Confident communicator (written and verbal), able to work effectively with investigators, site teams, internal functions and external partners
- Data‑driven mindset with the ability to interpret operational metrics and use them to drive performance
- High level of integrity, professionalism and commitment to patient safety and ethical research
Other Requirements
- Full UK residency and hold a valid driving licence and have suitable transport provisions (public transport is not recommended due to location of offices)
- Able to travel throughout the UK and overseas if required
Benefits
- Bank holidays, plus 25 days annual leave, increasing to 28 after 5 years
- Buy & Sell Holidays
- Enhanced Maternity and Paternity Leave
- 1 Occasion Day each year; mandatory
Clinical Trial Manager in Chester employer: EMS Healthcare
EMS Healthcare is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Clinical Research Nurses can thrive while making a meaningful impact on cancer research across the UK. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, generous annual leave, and opportunities for professional growth, our team is dedicated to maintaining high standards of patient care and regulatory compliance in a supportive and collaborative culture.
