Lead Clinical Trials Coordinator

Lead Clinical Trials Coordinator – Private Ophthalmic Institute Salary: Up to £55,000 (dependent on experience) Contract: Full-time, Permanent About the Role We’re seeking an experienced and proactive Lead Clinical Trials Coordinator to take ownership of our expanding ophthalmic clinical trials programme. This is a pivotal position in one of the Institute’s most important growth areas, with responsibility for study delivery, team leadership, and sponsor relationships. You’ll oversee a small, high-performing team and work closely with pharmaceutical and medical device partners to ensure our trials meet recruitment, compliance, and quality targets. This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven professional to lead from the front and shape the direction of a growing research portfolio. Key Responsibilities Programme Leadership & Governance * Lead the end-to-end delivery of all clinical studies, ensuring adherence to ICH-GCP, protocol, ethics, and data protection standards. * Manage study timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation across all active and upcoming trials. * Support investigators with medical oversight, protocol clarifications, and safety communications. * Maintain audit readiness through meticulous document control and process compliance. Study Start-Up & Feasibility * Lead feasibility assessments and communicate site capabilities to sponsors and CROs. * Drive rapid study start-up including contracts, budgets, and submissions. * Develop efficient site workflows and patient pathways to accelerate recruitment and optimise data quality. Recruitment & Retention * Deliver study recruitment targets through effective referral networks and patient engagement. * Monitor screen-fail rates and implement data-driven recovery strategies. Operations & Data Management * Oversee day-to-day site operations, ensuring smooth clinic flow and accurate, timely data entry. * Maintain all logs, trackers, and study databases with strong version control. * Coordinate data queries, interim analyses, and database lock activities. Sponsor & CRO Liaison * Act as the main point of contact for sponsors and CROs. * Lead site visits and monitoring interactions with professionalism and clarity. * Provide concise progress reports and performance updates to stakeholders. Financial Oversight * Work with the Accounts team on study budgets, invoicing, and financial tracking. * Support contract negotiation, milestone payments, and cost control. People Leadership * Line-manage and mentor clinical trials staff, providing clear goals and feedback. * Lead onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives. Imaging & Clinical Duties * Learn and perform patient imaging using advanced ophthalmic diagnostic equipment. * Ensure patient experience and data integrity remain at the forefront of all trial activities. Publications & Research Support * Assist in data analysis and the preparation of abstracts, posters, and manuscripts for conferences and journals. About You * Minimum 5 years’ experience managing or coordinating clinical trials, ideally within ophthalmology or medical devices. * Demonstrated success in meeting recruitment targets and reducing study start-up timelines. * Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, ethics, and regulatory requirements. * Proficient with EDC systems and confident analysing performance metrics. * Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills, with a compassionate approach to patients