At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead complex drug development programs and guide cross-functional teams to success.
- Company: Join a leading global provider of clinical research services in the life sciences sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, remote work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to integrity and excellence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on innovative medical treatments and improve patient outcomes worldwide.
- Qualifications: Advanced degree and 15-20 years of experience in drug development required.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Responsible for Drug Development Program Leadership services. Provides leadership and oversight for the successful delivery of complex pharmaceutical and biotechnology development programs across all stages of development. Leads integrated cross-functional teams and serves as a senior strategic advisor to customers on drug development strategy, portfolio governance, program execution, indication prioritization, asset development planning, and development decision-making.
Responsible for the leadership, development, and performance of Program Leaders, Project Managers, Clinical Scientists, and Drug Development Leaders. Drives operational excellence, customer satisfaction, business growth, and delivery excellence while ensuring consistent execution of high-quality strategic drug development and program leadership.
This role has direct line management responsibility for Project Managers, Clinical Scientists, and Drug Development Leaders and is accountable for the overall performance and delivery excellence of DDRS (Drug Development and Regulatory solutions) projects and programs. The role is responsible for establishing and advancing program leadership and project management capabilities across DDRS, ensuring consistent standards of execution, governance, and customer delivery across the portfolio.
Participates in all aspects of Drug Development Program Leadership and leads the implementation of mission, goals and objectives, development of policies, procedures and standards for the department. Provides thought leadership in pharmaceutical product development and program leadership through publications, white papers, blogs, industry conferences, webinars, and customer forums, as appropriate.
Essential Functions
- Lead and oversee the successful delivery of complex drug development programs and portfolios for biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers, ensuring alignment of scope, timelines, budgets, quality expectations, risks, and stakeholder requirements.
- Provide strategic leadership to integrated cross-functional drug development teams spanning clinical development, translational medicine, biometrics, medical affairs, regulatory affairs and other key drug development functions.
- Evaluate and develop integrated drug development strategies for pharmaceutical products, biologics, and advanced therapies, including Target Product Profiles (TPPs), Clinical Development Plans (CDPs), indication prioritization, asset lifecycle planning, and portfolio decision-making.
- Lead program governance activities including executive steering committees, portfolio reviews, risk management, issue resolution, milestone planning, and strategic decision-making forums.
- Support the innovative development of compounds to maximize scientific, technical, operational, and commercial success throughout the development lifecycle.
- Ensure high-quality, well-reasoned, objective deliverables that meet the highest standards of scientific integrity, operational excellence, and customer expectation.
- Provide drug development expertise to support clients' strategic business activities, due diligence opportunities, portfolio assessments, and investment decisions.
- Lead and develop a high-performing organization of Program Leaders, Project Managers, Clinical Scientists, and Drug Development Leaders through recruitment, coaching, mentoring, performance management, career development, and succession planning.
- Establish and maintain program leadership frameworks, methodologies, best practices, governance models, performance metrics, and continuous improvement initiatives that improve delivery consistency and customer outcomes.
- Drive the development and advancement of program leadership and project management capabilities across DDRS through competency frameworks, training programs, mentoring initiatives, and operational excellence activities.
- Ensure Customer Satisfaction by working closely with Senior Management, Therapeutic Units, Functional Leadership, and Operations Heads to ensure optimum strategic guidance and successful execution of customer development programs.
- Serve as a key resource and participate in strategic business development activities including proposal development, solution design, bid defense presentations, strategic account planning, and customer relationship management.
- Assist in the development of programs that maximize organizational growth, profitability, customer retention, and service excellence.
- Provide internal and external educational services related to drug development strategy, program leadership, governance, portfolio management, and operational excellence.
- Contribute to the continued growth of IQVIA's Drug Development Program Leadership capabilities.
- Ensure compliance with all business office requirements for tracking time, effort, quality, and performance metrics.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree (MS, PhD, PharmD, MD, MBA, or equivalent) or the equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
- Typically requires 15-20+ years of pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO drug development experience with a global or multi-regional focus, including significant experience in senior strategic and operational leadership roles.
- Demonstrated experience leading complex drug development programs and portfolios across multiple therapeutic areas and stages of development.
- Significant experience leading integrated cross-functional development teams responsible for drug development strategy and execution.
- Proven experience in managing the development and implementing Target Product Profiles (TPPs), Clinical Development Plans (CDPs), indication selection strategies, development roadmaps, governance models, and portfolio plans.
- Demonstrated experience providing strategic leadership and guidance to biotechnology and pharmaceutical customers.
- Proven people leadership experience managing multidisciplinary teams, including key drug development functions.
- Experience within a Contract Research Organisation (CRO) or biopharmaceutical company.
- Requires broad management and leadership knowledge to lead multiple functional areas, influence senior stakeholders, and drive strategic organizational initiatives.
- Strong strategic thinking, analytical, organizational, communication, and leadership skills with the ability to thrive in a culture of achievement.
- Client-focused and consultative approach that combines strategic vision, operational excellence, and customer-centric delivery.
- Demonstrated ability to build trusted relationships with senior customer stakeholders and act as a strategic advisor on complex drug development challenges.
- Demonstrates a strong command of program leadership methodologies, portfolio management principles, governance frameworks, risk management practices, and organizational leadership techniques.
- Grasps key issues quickly, understands the broader drug development landscape, and links scientific and operational insights to larger business and development objectives.
- Demonstrates excellent written and verbal communication skills and is effective in executive presentations, governance boards, customer meetings, and strategic decision-making forums.
- Has a strong commitment to quality, delivery excellence, operational effectiveness, and customer success.
- Has a proven track record of meeting or exceeding business, customer, organizational, and operational goals.
- Expertise in Excel, PowerPoint, program/project management tools, and portfolio management practices.
- Early development experience, including translational medicine, clinical pharmacology, biomarker strategy, CMC, or related disciplines is highly desirable.
- Recognized as a strategic thought leader in drug development and program leadership, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders and drive successful development outcomes.
Sr Director, Drug Development Lead in Reading employer: IQVIA
IQVIA in Livingston, Scotland is an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative team environment and prioritises employee growth through outstanding career development opportunities. Working as a Lab Operations Assistant here not only allows you to contribute to meaningful projects but also ensures you are part of a supportive workplace that values safety and professionalism.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sr Director, Drug Development Lead in Reading
✨Unlock Networking Opportunities
Dive into industry-specific events like pharmaceutical conferences and seminars, where you can meet hiring managers from companies like IQVIA. 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 IQVIA.
✨Leverage Internships for Full-time Roles
If you can, consider pursuing internships in the pharmaceutical industry, especially with companies like IQVIA. 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 IQVIA is looking for. A tailored application can really make you stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Sr Director, Drug Development Lead 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 IQVIA!
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 IQVIA 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 IQVIA!
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 IQVIA, 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 IQVIA
✨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 IQVIA 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 IQVIA’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.
