Therapeutic Area Head - Midrand at MSD

Job Description

This role will be key to further develop the country capabilities in clinical research. Under the oversight of the country or cluster CRD the person will be responsible for the end to end performance of clinical trials in 1 or several TA, from feasibility to close out in 1 or several countries. The role should be responsible for 30 to 50 clinical trials and will ensure excellent study performance with strict adherence to local regulations, our Company's SOPs and ICH GCP.

The role is responsible for oversight of all the employees working in the TA, with line management for Clinical Research Managers (CRM) and functional oversight of other roles in studies.

As line manager the role is critical to develop key talents in the organization to ensure a pool of successors in critical roles.

The role will work at country level with other local stakeholder like Medical, PV, regulatory and commercial to ensure alignment and development of the country capabilities and can represent the CRD of cluster in local management if required. CRD can delegate certain key tasks as needed.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Will lead 1 or several therapeutic areas of the growing portfolio in South Africa and Africa
• Accountable for the successful execution, enrollment and quality of their clinical trial portfolio
• Accountable to ensure timelines and key milestones are met
• Accountable for performance metrics
• Accountable to develop operational strategies and quality plans for the conduct of all programs and studies in the TA portfolio
• Collaborates with other TA directors, local and regional stakeholder in GCTO in order to develop and build territory of principal investigators and sites
• Ensures oversight and line management of Clinical Research Manager (CRM) team within TA
• Leads team independently with supervision from CRD to high performance
• Accountable for CRM performance reviews, including addressing low performance situations, and taking appropriate actions.
• Ensures key talent development and retention
• Collaborates and works closely with other stakeholders in the TA in GCTO & GCD regional and headquarter teams, quality, finance, IT and HR
• Collaborates externally with investigators, regulators and vendors
• Member of the GCTO country leadership team
• Supports strategic initiatives across Global Clinical Development GCD and GCTO
• Supports local strategy development consistent with long-term corporate needs in conjunction with CRD.
• Together with direct reports contributes significantly to effective conduct of clinical studies and to develop the pipeline, while maintaining regulatory requirements and compliance
• This position impacts directly the country´s ability to reach business targets and objectives and ensures that productive collaboration with internal and external business partners are built.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in science or equivalent healthcare experience
• Preferred: Advanced degree, (e.g., MSc, Ph.D, MBA)
• Minimum of 10 years´ experience in clinical trial organization
• Minimum of 2 years´ experience in a functional management position
• CRA , project management and CRM experience
• Line management experience
• Business and financial acumen
• Strategic thinking
• Ability to think cross-functionally and working across boundaries internationally
• Ability to identify problems, conflicts and opportunities early and lead, analyse mitigation plans and drive conflict resolution is critical
• Fluent in Local Language and business proficient in English (verbal and written) and excellent communication skills
• Sound ICH-GCP knowledge and knowledge of Good Documentation Practices
• Good understanding of Global, Country/Regional Clinical Research Guidelines and ability to work within these guidelines.
• High emotional intelligence
• Strong leadership and negotiation skills