Global Head of Clinical Program Delivery

UCB S.A.; Anderlecht; Hybrid; EUR 240,000 - 340,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB seeks a Global Head of Clinical Program Delivery to lead the worldwide Clinical Program Delivery organization from phase I to post-approval. This role will set the operational direction, build a consistent operating model, and ensure patient-centered, high-quality program execution across locations including Belgium and the UK.

You will oversee senior teams, drive collaboration with external partners, and guide budgets, risk, and quality management in a rapidly evolving environment.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or higher; advanced degrees may be considered.
• Extensive leadership in pharma/biotech/CRO with oversight of clinical programs.
• Experience leading global, cross-functional teams in a matrix organization.
• Deep knowledge of clinical development from early-stage to post-approval.
• Strong judgement, budgeting, vendor, risk, quality, and GCP management.

Responsibilities

• Lead global clinical program delivery with patient-centered plans and high data quality.
• Direct resource allocation and contribute to study concepts, feasibility, and site strategy.
• Advance participant recruitment and inclusive trial design with patient insights.
• Assess and implement digital and non-digital innovations to improve delivery.
• Build and retain high-performing global leadership teams with clear accountability.
• Represent clinical operations in leadership forums, collaborations, and compliance.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Global program delivery

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Master’s degree or higher

Job description

Make your mark for patients

We are looking for a Global Head of Clinical Program Delivery who is collaborative, strategic and patient-focused to join our Global Clinical Operations team, based either at our Belgium headquarters or in Windlesham, UK.

This global role requires approximately 25–30% travel to support collaboration across locations and with external partners.

About the role

You will lead the complete global Clinical Program Delivery organization covering phase I to phase III and post-approval evidence generation for all UCB sponsored clinical programs. You will set the global operational direction for clinical development, while establishing a consistent operating model, strengthening accountability and capability, and ensuring reliable, patient-centered delivery.

Who you’ll work with

You will be working in a team that partners across clinical development, asset and candidate teams, patient-focused functions, strategic service providers, investigators, patient organizations, and industry groups. You will lead and develop senior operational teams while advising clinical operations leadership on strategic priorities, due diligence, capability building, and continuous improvement across a global and rapidly changing environment.

What you’ll do

• Lead global clinical program delivery, ensuring patient-centered plans, high-quality data, competitive timelines, responsible budgets, and effective risk management.
• Direct resource allocation and operational contributions to study concepts, development plans, feasibility assessments, country selection, and site strategy.
• Advance participant recruitment, engagement, representation, and inclusive trial design by embedding patient insights throughout study planning and delivery.
• Assess and implement digital and non-digital innovations, building effective partnerships that improve clinical research delivery and participant experience.
• Build, integrate, mentor and retain high-performing global leadership teams, creating a coherent operating model with clear accountability, effective resource deployment, strong collaboration and meaningful career development.
• Represent clinical operations in leadership forums, due diligence, external collaborations, compliance activities, and cross-functional improvement initiatives.

Interested? For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills

• Master’s degree or equivalent relevant experience; extensive subject-matter expertise may be considered in place of an advanced degree.
• Substantial leadership experience in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, or a contract research organization, including oversight of clinical program management functions.
• Deep knowledge of clinical development and trial operations from early-stage studies through submission and post-approval research.
• Demonstrated success leading leaders and global, cross-functional teams and complex programs in a matrix organization.
• Inclusive people leadership, coaching, facilitation, negotiation, and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and build consensus.
• Sound judgement, analytical thinking, and experience managing budgets, resources, vendors, risks, quality, and Good Clinical Practice requirements.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you!

About us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.