Clinical Director

Cpl Group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CPL Group is seeking an experienced Clinical Operations Lead to join a fast-moving biotech focused on gene therapy programmes in neurological and psychiatric diseases. This hands-on leadership role drives late-stage delivery and evidence generation to support regulatory readiness.

You will oversee Phase II/III multi-country trials, manage CROs and budgets, and implement a QMS with a focus on ICH-GCP compliance.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of clinical operations leadership or programme leadership in biotech/pharma/CRO
• Proven track record leading Phase II/III or pivotal multi-country trials
• Strong experience in managing CROs, vendors, budgets, timelines, quality, and risk
• Solid knowledge of ICH-GCP and clinical trial regulations, patient safety, and data integrity
• Experience establishing a QMS and supporting protocol design
• Entrepreneurial, hands-on mindset in a lean, fast-evolving environment

Responsibilities

• Lead the operational planning, setup and execution of Phase II/III and pivotal trials across countries.
• Establish and support QMS development, protocols and regulatory submissions.
• Oversee CROs, vendors and study teams to manage quality, timelines, budgets and risk.
• Drive investigator and site engagement, patient recruitment, data quality, safety surveillance and inspection readiness.
• Identify and implement AI and digital solutions to improve trial execution, enrolment and monitoring.
• Support evidence generation for registration, reimbursement and future commercial launch.
• Build clear internal reporting and dashboards to provide visibility of progress, risks and priorities.

Skills

Clinical operations leadership

Phase II/III trials

CRO management

ICH-GCP

QMS development

Data integrity

Tools

EDC systems

Regulatory submissions

Job description

Clinical Operations Lead – Gene Therapy

An exciting opportunity for an experienced Clinical Operations leader to join a fast-moving, entrepreneurial biotech developing innovative gene therapy programmes in neurological and psychiatric diseases. This highly empowered, hands-on position will lead late-stage clinical delivery, combining operational rigour with a forward-looking approach to technology, evidence generation and commercial readiness.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the operational planning, set-up and execution of Phase II/III and pivotal clinical trials, including country, site and vendor selection.
• Establish and support QMS development, protocols and regulatory submissions.
• Oversee CROs, vendors and study teams, ensuring quality, timelines, budgets and operational risks are effectively managed.
• Drive investigator and site engagement, patient recruitment, data quality, safety surveillance and inspection readiness.
• Identify and implement pragmatic AI and digital solutions to improve trial execution, enrolment and safety monitoring.
• Support evidence generation for registration, reimbursement, payer discussions and future commercial launch.
• Build clear internal reporting and dashboards to provide visibility of programme progress, risks and priorities.

Experience required:

• 10+ years’ experience in clinical operations, clinical development operations or clinical programme leadership within biotech, pharma or CRO environments.
• Demonstrated leadership of Phase II/III or pivotal multi-country/global trials.
• Strong experience managing CROs, vendors, budgets, timelines, quality and risk.
• Sound knowledge of ICH-GCP, clinical trial regulations, patient safety and data integrity.
• Experience establishing a QMS and supporting clinical protocol design.
• A hands-on, entrepreneurial mindset and confidence working in a lean, rapidly evolving environment.

Gene therapy, CNS/neuropsychiatry, registration-enabling Phase III programmes and AI/digital clinical-trial technology experience would be highly advantageous.