Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London
Associate Director, Global Study Lead

Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London

London Full-Time 60000 - 100000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
WISE Campaign

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global clinical studies from initiation to completion, ensuring quality and compliance.
  • Company: Join a leading pharmaceutical company dedicated to innovation and patient care.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive benefits, and opportunities for professional growth.
  • Other info: Dynamic work environment with a focus on collaboration and cutting-edge technology.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in healthcare by driving innovative clinical study delivery.
  • Qualifications: Degree in life sciences and extensive experience in clinical study management required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 100000 ÂŁ per year.

This position within GCSD (Global Clinical Study Delivery) is accountable for leading the operational strategy, planning and delivery of the study/studies end to end from CSI (Commit to Study Initiation) until study archiving, meeting time, quality, budget, company standards and scientific requirements as outlined in the clinical development plan. The Global Study Lead (GSL) owns the vision for study success, prioritises deliverables and forms Working Groups with key leadership across the matrix organisation, including the Study Level Statistician and Clinical Lead. The GSL represents Clinical Operations within the Study Leadership Team (SLT).

Responsibilities

  • Strategic study leadership & delivery: Accountable member of the Study Leadership Team (SLT) providing strategic leadership and decision‑making to deliver studies to time, quality, budget, scientific and company standards, including robust upfront feasibility, planning, governance preparation, and understanding study contribution to the broader program/submission.
  • Operational oversight, risk & issue management: Provides end‑to‑end operational oversight and support to Global Study Manager (GSM) and Study Manager (SM), acting as the escalation point for Clinical Operations, vendors, and working groups; proactively identifies, assesses, and mitigates study risks while balancing risk/benefit and ensuring effective issue resolution.
  • Compliance, quality & inspection readiness: Ensures compliance with ICH/GCP, applicable laws, regulations, and GSK SOPs; oversees protocol compliance, quality management, and continual inspection readiness, with strategic operational input into protocol, ICF, and key study documents.
  • Stakeholder communication & matrix leadership: Accountable for translating asset requirements to the study and appropriate communication with the Clinical Operations Asset Lead and is escalation point for clinical operations, supports the Working Groups leads to proactively and effectively identify, oversee, and mitigate study risks. Builds and leads empowered matrix teams, ensuring clear, timely stakeholder communication on study status, expectations, risks, and issues; provides therapeutic area expertise and contributes to ways of working and process improvement initiatives.
  • Financial & vendor accountability: Accountable for study budget and financial reviews; leads assessment, selection, and holistic oversight of FSO and other study vendors in collaboration with COAL, GSM, and SM, serving as escalation point for vendor performance and delivery issues.
  • Innovation, technology & efficiency: Drives innovative study delivery approaches (e.g., DCTs), acts as decision‑maker for study‑level innovation, and serves as an ambassador for AIML, automation, and digital tools to improve efficiency, quality, and ways of working across teams.

Basic Qualifications

  • Degree in life sciences, health informatics or a related field, or equivalent experience + extensive clinical development experience and proven experience in driving operational study delivery to time, cost, and quality within the pharmaceutical industry or CRO environment.
  • Proven global study leadership experience, experience in leading global study set‑up and delivery with multi‑country execution, including leading high‑performing, cross‑functional matrix teams and driving timely, high‑quality decision‑making in complex and high‑pressure environments.
  • Strong knowledge of study management and regulatory requirements, including in‑depth understanding of ICH/GCP and global regulatory guidelines.
  • Demonstrated stakeholder management and influence skills, with the ability to engage, align, and influence senior leaders (Senior Director / VP level) and cross‑functional partners.
  • Excellent project and budget management capabilities, including proactive issue identification, risk mitigation, prioritisation, and delivery against timelines and financial targets.
  • Highly developed communication, leadership, and collaboration skills, with the ability to articulate strategy, manage conflict, foster psychological safety, and empower others in a matrixed environment.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Deep therapeutic area expertise, ideally consolidated within specific indications, with the agility to work across multiple therapeutic areas and study types.
  • Strategic leadership experience in innovative trial designs, including adaptive designs, decentralised clinical trials (DCTs), and exposure to platform, umbrella, or basket trials.
  • Extensive experience managing CROs and external vendors, including oversight of performance, realignment when delivery is at risk, negotiation of solutions, and leading After‑Action Reviews.
  • Experience with complex or adaptive study designs.
  • Strong change leadership and growth mindset, with the creativity to modernise clinical delivery, leverage external technologies and networks, and continuously improve ways of working.
  • Proven ability to lead through influence, making timely, complex decisions with strong rationale, championing key decisions, and connecting teams to purpose.

Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London employer: WISE Campaign

GSK is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Europe, with locations in Belgium, Italy, the UK, and Poland. Our culture fosters innovation and collaboration, providing employees with ample opportunities for professional growth and development while ensuring a strong focus on work-life balance. Join us to be part of a team that values your contributions and empowers you to lead impactful global studies in the pharmaceutical industry.
WISE Campaign

Contact Detail:

WISE Campaign Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London

✨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. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine in front of the real interviewers.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in leaving a positive impression. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.

We think you need these skills to ace Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London

Global Study Leadership
Operational Strategy
Risk Management
Compliance with ICH/GCP
Stakeholder Management
Project Management
Budget Management
Cross-Functional Team Leadership
Communication Skills
Clinical Development Experience
Vendor Management
Innovative Trial Designs
Problem-Solving Skills
Adaptability
Decision-Making

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Associate Director role. Highlight your relevant experience in global study leadership and operational strategy, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; we want to see your impact! Use specific examples of how you've successfully led studies or managed teams, especially in high-pressure environments. Numbers and outcomes speak volumes!

Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and ensure your key skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This way, you’ll ensure it reaches the right people and you can easily track your application status. Plus, it’s super easy!

How to prepare for a job interview at WISE Campaign

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you have a solid understanding of the clinical development process and the specific responsibilities of a Global Study Lead. Brush up on ICH/GCP guidelines and be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed studies in the past.

✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills

Prepare examples that highlight your experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing stakeholders. Think about times when you had to make tough decisions or resolve conflicts, and be ready to share those stories.

✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to risk management and operational oversight. Practice articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies in these scenarios to demonstrate your problem-solving skills.

✨Communicate Clearly and Confidently

Effective communication is key for this role. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, and ensure you can articulate your vision for study success. Remember, confidence can make a big difference in how your message is received.

Associate Director, Global Study Lead in London
WISE Campaign
Location: London

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