Director, Pharmacovigilance

McKesson; Mississauga; On-site; CAD 172,000 - 288,000; Full time

Job summary

A global healthcare leader is seeking a Director of Pharmacovigilance in Mississauga to lead compliance and regulatory efforts. This role requires strong leadership, extensive experience in drug safety, and knowledge of global regulations. The successful candidate will manage a team and collaborate across functions to ensure patient safety. Competitive compensation range is $124,800 - $208,000 with additional benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Annual bonus opportunities

Diverse and inclusive work environment

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in pharmacovigilance or drug safety.
• Minimum 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing regulatory inspections and audits.
• Strong understanding of global PV regulations and ICH guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development and execution of pharmacovigilance strategy.
• Supervise and mentor a team of PV associates and specialists.
• Monitor changes in global pharmacovigilance regulations.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory and manufacturer inspections.

Skills

Leadership skills

Analytical abilities

Communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Education

Advanced degree in a health-related field

Tools

Safety databases

Microsoft Office tools

Job description

McKesson is an impact-driven, Fortune 10 company that touches virtually every aspect of healthcare. We are known for delivering insights, products, and services that make quality care more accessible and affordable. Here, we focus on the health, happiness, and well-being of you and those we serve – we care.

What you do at McKesson matters. We foster a culture where you can grow, make an impact, and are empowered to bring new ideas. Together, we thrive as we shape the future of health for patients, our communities, and our people. If you want to be part of tomorrow’s health today, we want to hear from you.

Job Summary

The Director of Pharmacovigilance (PV) is responsible for leading the pharmacovigilance function across the organization, ensuring compliance with global regulatory requirements, manufacturer and client contractual obligations and internal McKesson policies. The incumbent will be providing strategic direction to the Pharmacovigilance workstream within Project Criterion and will be responsible for gaining alignment and providing direction to future workflows implementing best PV practices within the Patient Support Programs (PSP), Specialty Pharmacies, and INVIVA clinics. This role oversees the operational team responsible for detection, assessment, training, reporting, and reconciliation of adverse effects. The Director will manage a team of safety professionals and collaborate cross-functionally with regulatory, clinical, medical affairs, and commercial teams to ensure patient safety and regulatory compliance. This role is critical in shaping the strategic direction of the pharmacovigilance program and serves as the key contact for regulatory authorities and manufacturer clients.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic and Operational Leadership

• Lead the development and execution of Specialty Health’s pharmacovigilance strategy.
• Lead the development and execution of all pharmacovigilance practices in Project Criterion.
• Ensure compliance with local and international pharmacovigilance regulations (e.g., FDA, Health Canada, EMA).

Team and Cross-Functional Management

• Supervise and mentor a team of PV associates and specialists, AE case processors, and PV manager.
• Oversee the collection, evaluation, and reporting of adverse events and safety data from all 3 Specialty Health operational teams.
• Collaborate with regulatory affairs, clinical development, medical affairs, and quality assurance to align safety strategies.
• Provide leadership in the development and maintenance of safety databases and signal detection tools.

Compliance and Risk Management

• Monitor changes in global pharmacovigilance regulations and implement necessary updates to internal processes.
• Lead the preparation and submission of periodic safety update reports (PSURs), development safety update reports (DSURs), and risk management plans (RMPs).
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of individual case safety reports (ICSRs) and aggregate safety data.
• Leads the evolution of Specialty Health’s pharmacovigilance practices to become a key differentiator in various business opportunities.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the primary point of contact for regulatory and manufacturer inspections and audits related to drug safety.
• Reviews, negotiates and prepares for sign off all pharmacovigilance-related contracts with clients.
• Represent the company in interactions with regulatory agencies, partners, and external stakeholders.
• Provide safety input into product labeling, promotional materials, and clinical trial protocols.

Minimum Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a health-related field.
• Minimum of 8–10 years of experience in pharmacovigilance or drug safety.
• Minimum 3 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience managing regulatory inspections and audits.
• Strong understanding of global PV regulations and ICH guidelines.

General Responsibilities

• Certification in pharmacovigilance or drug safety is an asset.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Proficiency in safety databases and Microsoft Office tools.
• Ability to work cross-functionally and influence without authority.
• High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

We are proud to offer a competitive compensation package at McKesson as part of our Total Rewards. This is determined by several factors, including performance, experience and skills, equity, regular job market evaluations, and geographical markets. The pay range shown below is aligned with McKesson's pay philosophy, and pay will always be compliant with any applicable regulations. In addition to base pay, other compensation, such as an annual bonus or long-term incentive opportunities may be offered. For more information regarding benefits at McKesson, pleaseclick here.

Our Base Pay Range for this position

$124,800 - $208,000

McKesson is an Equal Opportunity Employer

McKesson provides equal employment opportunities to applicants and employees and is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age or genetic information. For additional information on McKesson’s full Equal Employment Opportunity policies, visit our Equal Employment Opportunity page.

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