Start-up Specialist in Leeds

We are seeking a UK‑based Site Start-Up (SSU) Specialist to join our high‑performing and collaborative team, supporting the delivery of early‑phase clinical trials (Phase I and Phase Ib). This role plays a critical part in enabling timely study start‑up within the UK, working closely with Fortrea’s Clinical Research Unit (CRU) to drive Combined Review submissions and approvals, and ensuring studies are set up efficiently and in line with regulatory requirements.

As part of a globally connected start‑up function, the role also offers the opportunity to broaden experience beyond the UK, contributing to US submissions, supporting the activation of Fortrea’s own clinical sites, and working across a wider network of research sites. This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to deepen their expertise in UK regulatory submissions while developing within a dynamic, global start‑up environment.

Primary contact with investigative site(s) during site start-up activities and maintenance with responsibility for collection of the required investigator and essential documents for a study, to ensure EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority and any other local applications are made within the timelines agreed with project management and Site Readiness team and that documentation meets the specifications required by applicable regulations and sponsor. Proactively interacts with EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authorities to provide guidance regarding requirements. Maintain awareness of current regulatory standards related to submissions. Serve as local expert in project start-up activities for a particular country or region. Act as a ‘knowledge resource’ to mentor and train new hires and less-experienced department colleagues if suitable.

• Maintain awareness of regulatory legislation, guidance, and practice in the assigned countries.
• Coordinate, collect and organize data and information required by EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority including but not limited to the preparation of study documentation such as the country application form and cover letter for sponsor review as applicable.
• Compile and prepare routine submission filed to IRB/IEC/Third body/Regulatory Authorities (e.g., INDs/CTAs) and liaise with them as applicable regarding submission/approval.
• Liaise with internal and external vendors in the generation of Regulatory Authority submissions (as applicable).
• Perform a review of final submission documents as applicable.
• Ensure that all assigned start-up and maintenance activities are on track, in accordance with client expectations and budget and in compliance with applicable laws and guidelines, regulatory requirements, ICH/GCP, SOPs and quality standards.
• Prevent and escalate study issues appropriately and in a timely fashion.
• Perform other duties as assigned by management depending upon country and situational requirements with proper supervision [if applicable].

• Serve as primary contact for investigative sites and ensure documents required are collected in a timely manner.
• Collect and track all the necessary documents required and perform a quality review, formatting, and compilation of the final documents for effective and compliant site activation and maintenance without supervision.
• Ensure high quality documents are filed and systems are updated on an ongoing and timely basis, making Fortrea ready for an audit at any time.
• Participate in team and project meetings as applicable.
• When needed, assist in the strategy definition for Site Activation and provide accurate projections and timelines to study teams.
• Review and customize country and site-specific patient informed consent forms for compliance with local requirements and protocol.
• Proactively resolve informed consent issues and other potential difficulties with study sites.
• May support the negotiation of site contracts and budgets with sites, if applicable and track progress of contract and budget milestones/developments, intervening and escalating as appropriate.
• Proactively identifying and escalating to Submission Leads any risk to meeting deliverables.
• Notify the Submissions Lead of hours identified as Out-of-Scope or overburn.

• Assist in the upload of submission documentation to, interacting with and monitoring of all notifications and alerts in CTIS to ensure all milestones and events for the trial are met within the timelines mandated.
• Performs all other duties as needed or assigned.

University/College degree (life science preferred), or certification in a related allied health profession from an appropriate accredited institution (e.g., nursing certification, medical or laboratory technology) AND 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations. Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements. In lieu of the above requirement, candidates with a High School Diploma or equivalent AND a minimum of 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations will be considered.

Minimum of 2 years of experience in clinical development or start-up/ regulatory process. Working knowledge of ICH, RA, IRB/IEC, and other applicable regulations/guidelines; familiarity with investigator start-up documents and contract/budgets negotiation process; previous interaction with operational project teams and investigative sites. Demonstrated understanding of research protocol requirements and proven ability to communicate them/educate others about them.

General Office Environment.