Head, European Country Operations (VP level)

Syneos Health; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Head of European Clinical Operations to oversee key operational functions and drive revenue growth. This role requires a dynamic leader with strong financial acumen and operational discipline, responsible for resource planning and managing high-performing teams. The ideal candidate will thrive in a collaborative environment, supporting project escalations and enhancing customer relationships. Join a forward-thinking organization committed to developing its people and fostering an inclusive culture, where your contributions will make a significant impact on the future of biopharmaceutical solutions.

Qualifications

• Extensive executive and senior management experience in clinical research or pharmaceutical industry.
• Ability to manage P&L and drive revenue growth effectively.

Responsibilities

• Oversee country delivery for Site ID, Activation, and CRAs.
• Support project escalation and sales activities as needed.
• Build and lead high-performing teams across functions.

Skills

Financial Acumen

Cross-Functional Leadership

Operational Discipline

Adaptability

Interpersonal Skills

Education

BA/BS Degree

MBA or Advanced Degree

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

Head, European Clinical Operations

Syneos Health is a leading fully integrated biopharmaceutical solutions organization built to accelerate customer success. We translate unique clinical, medical affairs and commercial insights into outcomes to address modern market realities.

Every day we perform better because of how we work together, as one team, each the best at what we do. We bring a wide range of talented experts together across a wide range of business-critical services that support our business. Every role within Corporate is vital to furthering our vision of Shortening the Distance from Lab to Life.

Discover what our 29,000 employees, across 110 countries already know:

WORK HERE MATTERS EVERYWHERE

Why Syneos Health

• We are passionate about developing our people, through career development and progression; supportive and engaged line management; technical and therapeutic area training; peer recognition and total rewards program.
• We are committed to our Total Self culture – where you can authentically be yourself. Our Total Self culture is what unites us globally, and we are dedicated to taking care of our people.
• We are continuously building the company we all want to work for and our customers want to work with. Why? Because when we bring together diversity of thoughts, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives – we’re able to create a place where everyone feels like they belong.
  
  

Job Summary

The Head, European Country Operations will oversee key operational functions, including Site ID, Site Activation, CRAs, Line Managers, and Country Heads, ensuring effective resource planning and country-level delivery. Acting as a General Manager for assigned functions, you will manage P&L, drive revenue growth, and support financial goals. This role involves leading high-performing teams, fostering an inclusive culture, and supporting project escalation and sales as needed. The ideal candidate demonstrates strong financial acumen, operational discipline, and cross-functional leadership while being solution-driven and adaptable.

Job Responsibilities

• Accountable for country delivery of each function; Site ID, Site Activation Specialist, CRAs, Line Managers, and Country Heads
• Allocation and planning of resources, including effective use of resources across roles
• Acting as General Manager for those functions – responsible for P&L and driving revenue in support of financial goals
• Supporting Project Escalation and Delivery as needed
• Supporting Sales activity as needed
• Provides overall strategy and direction of clinical trials, processes and procedures.
• Acts as a primary senior-level contact for customers.
• Participates in customer proposals, Request for Information (RFIs), presentations, proposal defenses and Steering Committees.
• Building and leading high-performing teams
• Represents the Company by attending industry meetings, speaking engagements, participating in booth exhibitions, etc., and by publishing scientific or industry related articles in industry journals.
• Participates in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), medical/scientific tools, training, staffing requirements, etc.
• Interacts with senior management and contributes functional/operational input to other departments, as appropriate.
• Ensures quality standards are set and maintained over all areas of responsibility.
• Other tasks and duties as determined appropriate by Executive Management.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned. Moderate travel may be required (up to 50%).
  
  

Qualifications

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• BA/BS degree or equivalent combination of education and experience; and extensive executive and/or senior management experience preferably in a worldwide clinical research, pharmaceutical, or biotechnology company.
• MBA or other relevant advanced degree preferred.
• Ability to demonstrate exceptional financial and business acumen (Budgeting, Forecasting and Risk Planning)
• Strong internal presence, demonstrates gravitas in cross-functional collaboration settings
• Models discipline and rigor in operations – and manages with the same expectations of their team
• Curious, adaptable, and solution-driven
• Thought leader and sought after internally for consultation
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), email, and voicemail.
• In-depth knowledge of Regulatory Authority regulations and strong understanding and usage of medical terminology.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks to meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Effective organizational, presentation, documentation and interpersonal skills.
• Experience working in a matrixed team environment is preferred.
• Must have valid, current driver’s license and ability to secure corporate credit card.
  
  

Get to know Syneos Health

Over the past 5 years, we have worked with 94% of all Novel FDA Approved Drugs, 95% of EMA Authorized Products and over 200 Studies across 73,000 Sites and 675,000+ Trial patients.

No matter what your role is, you’ll take the initiative and challenge the status quo with us in a highly competitive and ever-changing environment. Learn more about Syneos Health.