Associate Director, Central Monitoring

Jazz Pharmaceuticals; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote-friendly option

Job summary

Jazz Pharmaceuticals is seeking an Associate Director, Central Monitoring to lead the global central monitoring functions within Clinical Development Operations. You will define KRIs, build analytics, and translate insights into risk-based monitoring changes across trials.

Collaborate with Trial Risk Management, Site Monitoring, Data Management, and study teams to deploy monitoring resources effectively. Strong leadership and regulatory knowledge are essential.

Qualifications

• Typically, 8–10+ years of clinical research experience with central/statistical monitoring or RBQM.
• Proven ability to define, operationalize, and interpret KRIs and translate signals into monitoring decisions.
• Strong knowledge of ICH E6(R2/R3) and global regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Central Monitoring function and its staff.
• Define and maintain KRIs and centralized analytics at study/site/CRA level.
• Analyze data trends and determine monitoring strategy changes as needed.
• Own the process for triggering risk-based changes to monitoring plans.
• Support RBQM strategy documents and study monitoring plans.
• Lead central monitoring tech platforms and coordinate with IT and vendors.
• Present outputs and recommendations to study teams and senior leadership.
• Ensure documentation is inspection-ready and serve as SME during audits.

Skills

Central monitoring

RBQM

Data analytics

Stakeholder influence

People leadership

Communication

AI/ML in monitoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in life science or related

MS/MPH preferred

Tools

CTMS

EDC

Statistical analytics platforms

Job description

Brief Description:

The Associate Director, Central Monitoring leads Jazz's central monitoring capability within Global Clinical Development Operations, reporting into the Senior Director, Trial Risk Management & Monitoring. This role is accountable for defining, generating, and interpreting centralized data outputs – including Jazz portfolio level key risk indicators (KRIs) and statistical/data-driven signals – and for translating those insights into concrete, risk-proportionate changes in monitoring strategy at the site, study, and CRA level. The Associate Director partners closely with Trial Risk Management, Site Monitoring, Data Management, and study teams to ensure that centralized monitoring is a driving force behind how, where, and how often monitoring resources are deployed across Jazz's sponsored trial portfolio.

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Central Monitoring function, including oversight of central monitoring staff, to deliver centralized, data-driven oversight across Jazz's sponsored clinical trials.
• Define, build, and maintain key risk indicators (KRIs) and centralized statistical monitoring analytics/dashboards at the study, site, and CRA level, in partnership with Biostatistics, Data Management and Business & Technology teams.
• Continuously analyze centralized data trends and risk signals including but not limited to emerging site, study, and CRA-level performance issues, and determine when those signals warrant a change in monitoring strategy (e.g., increased or decreased visit frequency, targeted source data verification, for-cause visits, or CRA reassignment/coaching).
• Own the process for triggering and documenting risk-based changes to monitoring plans, working directly with Trial Risk Management and Site Monitoring leadership to operationalize those changes in the field.
• Support the development of Risk Based Monitoring Strategy Documents and study monitoring plans in alignment with the central monitoring strategy, overall RBQM strategy and ICH E6(R2/R3) guidance.
• Serve as the functional lead for central monitoring technology platforms (e.g., centralized analytics, statistical monitoring, and RBQM systems), partnering with IT, Business & Technology, and/or vendors on configuration, evaluation, and enhancement.
• Present central monitoring outputs, risk trends, and recommended actions to study teams, cross-functional governance forums, and senior leadership on a routine basis.
• Ensure central monitoring documentation, KRI rationale, and escalation history are inspection-ready; serve as subject matter expert during internal audits and regulatory inspections.
• Partner with Site Monitoring leadership to ensure central monitoring findings are effectively communicated to and actioned by field-based CRAs and Lead CRAs.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and development for central monitoring team members, building technical capability in statistical monitoring methodology and analytics tools.
• Champion continuous improvement of central monitoring methodology, including exploration of automation, machine learning, and AI-enabled approaches to risk detection.
• Represent the Central Monitoring function in cross-functional process and technology improvement initiatives, and in governance discussions with external partners and CROs.
• Support RBQM strategy, standards, and training in partnership with the Senior Director, Trial Risk Management & Monitoring.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Typically, 8-10+ years of clinical research/clinical operations experience in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry, including significant, hands‑on experience in central/statistical monitoring or risk-based quality management (RBQM).
• Demonstrated expertise defining, operationalizing, and interpreting KRIs, and translating centralized data signals into concrete site-, study-, and CRA-level monitoring decisions.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH E6(R2/R3), risk-based quality management principles, and applicable global regulatory requirements.
• Hands‑on experience with central monitoring/statistical analytics platforms, CTMS, and EDC systems; comfort working with large, multi-source clinical trial datasets.
• Strong data analytics and interpretive skills, with the ability to distill complex data trends into clear, actionable recommendations for non-technical stakeholders.
• People leadership experience, including managing and developing a team of central monitoring analysts/associates.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to influence and align cross-functional and senior stakeholders.
• Strong business acumen and the ability to balance operational excellence, quality, and resource considerations in monitoring strategy decisions.
• Proven experience partnering with Site Monitoring/CRA teams, Biostatistics, and Data Management in a matrixed environment.
• Enthusiasm for innovation, including application of AI and advanced analytics to clinical trial oversight.
• Business travel, including international <10%.

Required/Preferred Education and Licenses

• Bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or related discipline required; advanced degree (e.g., MS, MPH) preferred.

Pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry experience required; prior people management experience required.

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