Director, Country Operations Management

Director, Country Operations Management

Full-Time 80000 - 100000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Pfizer

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop a team of Country Operations Managers to ensure successful clinical trials.
  • Company: Join Pfizer, a global leader in healthcare dedicated to transforming lives.
  • Benefits: Enjoy flexible work culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
  • Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your unique contributions.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in clinical development while leading a passionate team.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in clinical trial management and strong leadership skills.

The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.

The Director of Country Operations Management will provide managerial oversight to Country (study) Operations Manager (CsOM) colleagues in their respective groups and their associated deliverables within and across that Region and Therapeutic area. The Director is responsible for talent development of colleagues, preparing Country Operations Managers to deliver on studies. They are accountable to ensure all assigned direct reports are appropriately trained and following Pfizer Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), providing leadership and appropriate oversight to the Regional/Country Operations Team.

They will leverage performance data, e.g. operational metrics, study plan variance and trend reports to drive the business and support the oversight and management of both the Country Operations Manager. They will also interface with FSP managers to resolve issues and escalate resource concerns. The Director is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) on Global Country Operations processes and works with their Country Operations Regional Group Lead to facilitate the sharing of therapeutic/functional area expertise and best practices within their group and where applicable across the Global Country Operations organization.

They may sponsor, lead or represent Global Country Operations on cross-functional, cross-departmental or enterprise level work streams that influence senior management and have an impact on business direction. They will interface with various stakeholders across the organization including but not limited to Asset DSMs, Clinical Study Group Leads, DCSOs and other leaders within Global Country Operations to ensure appropriate issue resolution/escalation and healthy stakeholder relationships.

They are accountable for building and ensuring functional area expertise and technical operations management expertise for their group of direct reports through recruitment and talent development/management of staff and the development of training strategies to enhance Global Country Operations.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Line Management of Country study Operations Managers
  • Actively develops and retains talent through providing focused career development, performance management, and an inclusive culture
  • Responsible for the development and adherence to consistent harmonized processes and high-quality clinical trial deliverables for clinical projects
  • Create, maintain and assume accountability for a culture of high quality and customer service using tools to facilitate communication, transparency of operations, clarity of workload balance, and alignment within and across functional lines
  • Support and continuously evaluate and evolve the Country study Operations Manager role to add value and efficiencies to internal study management
  • Work with other cross functional lines to improve processes and important quality aspects of studies including site selection, recruitment and retention practices, Significant Quality Event (SQE) process, etc. to simplify processes and ensure quality in the studies
  • Work with sourcing partner/resourcing lead to ensure provision of technically trained Country study Operations Managers per sourcing strategy
  • Liaise with Functional Service Provider Line Managers on ensuring accountability and performance for their CsOMs

Subject Matter Expertise:

  • In strong collaboration with other colleagues or functions (peers, project leads, and group leads):
  • Leads cross departmental initiatives
  • Implements strategies to ensure consistent processes
  • Leads and/or participates in specific process improvement initiatives; monitors and reports on implementation progress as appropriate
  • Provides expertise on the study management related SOPs and serves as a Global Country Operations SME on BPIs and SOP development/update projects. Proactively shares best practices across CD&O.

The DCOM may assume Asset-Level responsibilities within their assigned portfolio taking accountability for delivery of studies conducted under that program. The DCOM may have regional level responsibilities including but not limited to resourcing of countries within their regions, escalation pathway for region, DCSO liaison.

QUALIFICATIONS / SKILLS

  • Extensive global clinical trial/study management experience
  • Working knowledge of GCPs, monitoring, clinical and regulatory operations
  • BS or MS/PhD – with significant relevant experience
  • Experience in the management and direct supervision of internal resource
  • Demonstrated effectiveness working in a multidisciplinary, matrix team environment
  • Direct study management expertise
  • Experience of resource management (staff and financial)
  • Evidence of Clinical Development and pharmaceutical study execution experience
  • Ability to understand and assimilate high-level data and operational metrics and trends
  • Strategic thinking and targeted problem-solving skills
  • Maintains scientific/operational knowledge and expertise to possess credibility to discuss with higher level management and peers
  • Strong interpersonal skills
  • Establishes strong relationships with customers, strives to understand and meet customer requirements
  • Respectfully challenges practices, decisions or ideas to uphold integrity and ethical standards
  • Exhibits behaviours consistent with company values to colleagues at multiple locations with diverse cultures; motivates through example, commitment, loyalty and enthusiasm
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills in relating to colleagues and associates both inside and outside the organization
  • Creativity and/or ability to put innovative approaches into practice in clinical development

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Thorough understanding of Clinical Development and pharmaceutical study execution experience; thorough understanding of the processes required to operationally execute clinical trials
  • Experience in therapeutic / functional area of expertise
  • Evidence of strong leadership, influencing, negotiation, and management skills

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

  • Reports to Study Management Group Lead
  • Within CD&O: GSSO Lines
  • Within PR&D: Portfolio and Project Management, Clinical Data Quality, Statisticians; Clinical Programming Group Lead; DMM Group Leads, Outsourcing Leads, Portfolio Sourcing Team Leads
  • Other Pfizer: Pharm Sci, Finance and Procurement, Legal
  • Externally: Functional Service Providers, CRO Study Management & Leadership/ Site Management, CRO Feasibility/Start-up, and other 3rd party vendors

Supervision

Depending on the Group, will provide line management for 6-12 Country study Operations Manager.

Purpose

Breakthroughs that change patients' lives... At Pfizer we are a patient centric company, guided by our four values: courage, joy, equity and excellence. Our breakthrough culture lends itself to our dedication to transforming millions of lives.

Digital Transformation Strategy

One bold way we are achieving our purpose is through our company wide digital transformation strategy. We are leading the way in adopting new data, modelling and automated solutions to further digitize and accelerate drug discovery and development with the aim of enhancing health outcomes and the patient experience.

Flexibility

We aim to create a trusting, flexible workplace culture which encourages employees to achieve work life harmony, attracts talent and enables everyone to be their best working self. Let’s start the conversation!

Equal Employment Opportunity

We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is crucial to building a successful business. As an employer, Pfizer is committed to celebrating this, in all its forms – allowing for us to be as diverse as the patients and communities we serve. Together, we continue to build a culture that encourages, supports and empowers our employees.

DisAbility Confident

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and we encourage you to put your best self forward with the knowledge and trust that we will make any reasonable adjustments necessary to support your application and future career. Our mission is unleashing the power of our people, especially those with unique superpowers. Your journey with Pfizer starts here!

Director, Country Operations Management employer: Pfizer

At Pfizer, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters talent development and inclusivity. As the Director of Country Operations Management, you will lead a team dedicated to delivering high-quality clinical trials while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a diverse environment that reflects the communities we serve.

Pfizer

Contact Details:

Pfizer Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Director, Country Operations Management

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and role thoroughly. We recommend practising common interview questions and even doing mock interviews with friends or mentors. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll feel when it’s time to shine!

Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your appreciation and keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from the interview to make it personal and memorable.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search.

We think you need these skills to ace Director, Country Operations Management

Talent Development
Clinical Trial Management
Knowledge of GCPs
Operational Metrics Analysis
Strategic Thinking
Problem-Solving Skills
Interpersonal Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in clinical trial management and leadership. We want to see how your skills align with the Director role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!

Showcase Your Expertise:As a Subject Matter Expert, it’s crucial to demonstrate your knowledge of Global Country Operations processes. Use specific examples from your past roles to illustrate how you've successfully implemented strategies or improved processes.

Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly see why you’re a great fit for the team!

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Pfizer

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of clinical trial management and the specific responsibilities of the Director of Country Operations Management. Brush up on Pfizer's Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their operational metrics and study management processes.

Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your talent development and team management abilities. Think about times when you've successfully led a team through challenges or improved processes. This role is all about leadership, so demonstrate how you can inspire and manage a diverse group effectively.

Be Data-Driven

Familiarise yourself with key performance indicators and operational metrics relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in past roles. Showing that you can leverage data to enhance study management will set you apart from other candidates.

Engage with Stakeholders

Think about how you’ve built relationships with various stakeholders in previous positions. Be ready to share strategies for effective communication and collaboration across departments. This role requires interfacing with multiple teams, so showcasing your interpersonal skills will be crucial.