Programme Lead

Roche; Welwyn; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare company in Welwyn is seeking a Programme Lead to oversee global operational strategies for clinical programs. This crucial position involves ensuring operational excellence and driving strategic development throughout the lifecycle of a molecule. Candidates should have extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, a strong knowledge of drug development processes, and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced environment. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative patient-centric approaches in clinical operations.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in pharmaceutical and healthcare industry.
• Proficiency in drug development processes and regulations.
• Ability to manage ambiguity and connect with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead alignment of global operational strategies at the program level.
• Drive strategic development plans for clinical studies.
• Ensure operational excellence in planning and execution.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic development

Collaboration

Adaptability

Clinical research knowledge

Education

University degree in life sciences

Job description

At Roche you can show up as yourself, embraced for the unique qualities you bring. Our culture encourages personal expression, open dialogue, and genuine connections, where you are valued, accepted and respected for who you are, allowing you to thrive both personally and professionally. This is how we aim to prevent, stop and cure diseases and ensure everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Join Roche, where every voice matters.

THE POSITION

WHO ARE WE

Doing now what patients need next

We believe it’s urgent to deliver medical solutions right now – even as we develop innovations for the future. We are passionate about transforming patients’ lives. We are courageous in both decision and action. And we believe that good business means a better world.

That is why we come to work each day. We commit ourselves to scientific rigour, unassailable ethics, and access to medical innovations for all. We do this today to build a better tomorrow.

We are proud of who we are, what we do, and how we do it. We are many, working as one across functions, across companies, and across the world.

pRED CLINICAL OPERATIONS

Our North Star is to increase R&D Productivity and Patient Centricity. This is supported by our CO Strategy to deliver value for pRED CO, pRED BHAGs and our portfolio. We aspire to be a leading edge Clinical Operations organisation that drives innovative patient-centric approaches in study design and execution, utilizes advanced analytics to drive data‑driven decisions, and embeds innovative technologies into our ways of working to improve productivity delivery of programs and studies. We strive to create a workplace where team members own their own development and learning and are empowered to create and innovate.

ROLE PURPOSE

As a Programme Lead (PL) at Roche, you will lead alignment of global operational strategies at the program (molecule) level and be a core member of the Project Team (PT) and Clinical Expert Team (CET), to ensure operational excellence in planning and execution of clinical programs in early development.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• DRIVE STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT by contributing to the strategic development plans throughout the life cycle of a molecule from an operational perspective (e.g. clinical study scenarios, global operational feasibility, timelines and budget forecasts, integration of patient’s voice).
• REALIZE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES by supporting, delegating and empowering study teams to drive execution and delivery of studies in accordance with new ways of working, time, cost and quality commitments and proactively communicating deviance from these parameters to relevant stakeholders.
• LEAD THROUGH AMBIGUITY by actively engaging with internal and external stakeholders (e.g. DTAs, Global Patient Partnership, Late stage Development, Clinical Pharmacology, Regulatory, KOLs) and ensuring alignment on the program in a complex and rapidly changing environment.
• MAINTAIN PROGRAM CONSISTENCY by keeping global program oversight and ensuring cross functional alignment of study objectives with the overall program goals.
• FURTHER THE PROGRAM AND FUNCTION by seeking out and leveraging learnings, best practices and investigating novel approaches to develop and/or optimise new processes and resources in pRED.

HOW YOU WILL DO IT

In Clinical Operations Mindset and behaviour is as important to us as skills and capabilities

SYSTEMS THINKING

• Connect with the bigger picture, prioritize Roche, pRED or wider team over Function and individual, apply enterprise view.
• Collaborative and creative mindset, ability to partner inside and outside Roche.

SHOW AND EMBRACE AGILE BEHAVIOR

• Follow a logic of incrementally improving approaches and solutions (80/20 approach where applicable/ Minimal Viable Products/ iterate).
• Stand in the shoes of stakeholders and able to build strong customer relationships.
• Ability to cope with uncertainty and manage ambiguity.

EMPOWERMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• Take ownership and accountability.
• Empower people to contribute according to their skills, capacity and interest.
• Decisions are made by the most appropriate person on the topic.
• Foster a speak‑up culture.

DEMONSTRATE A GROWTH MINDSET

• Give, seek and receive constructive feedback.
• Openly and proactively share information, failure, ideas, experience and learnings with others.
• Drive innovations and foster the power of experimentation.

CREATE VALUE IN AN AGILE ORGANIZATION

• As a visionary, you facilitate the creation of a bold, shared vision and higher purpose that is co‑created with customers to advance a vision.
• As an Architect, you seek value creation across the whole organisation, shaping organisational architecture and culture.
• As a Coach you help everyone in the network build the skills and mindsets they need to succeed in an empowered system, acting as a role‑model and coach, with a willingness to be coached.
• As a Catalyst you help connect others’ work to a collective purpose, creating connections and collaboration across the organisation.

WHO YOU ARE

You are talented and passionate. You are inspired by our mission and would fit in well with our collaborative, patient‑centric and entrepreneurial spirit.

• Have a growth mindset and are excited about learning through experience.
• Feel comfortable thinking on your feet and thrive in fast paced, ambiguous and highly collaborative environments.
• Have extensive experience in pharmaceutical and/or healthcare industry and drug development experience (therapeutic area experience a plus).
• Hold a university degree or equivalent years of experience, preferred focus in life sciences.
• Find passion in achieving successful outcomes by leading, coaching and inspiring others.
• Want to make a difference and find excitement in innovating practices, therapeutics and processes.
• Possess strong working knowledge of drug development process and respective regulations.
• Feel comfortable traveling internationally based on specific program needs.
• Have in‑depth understanding of clinical research, the study lifecycle and how cross‑functional roles work together to ensure timely and efficient delivery of all operational aspects of programs.
• Advocate for what you and your team need to succeed.
• Have a sound understanding and appreciation of the scientific basis for different study types, with the ability to question scientific rationale and practical aspects of protocol design.

Roche embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building teams that represent a range of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. If you still have questions then please check our FAQs and videos on careers.roche.ch/faq

Roche is an equal opportunity employer.

Where pay transparency applies, details are provided based on the primary posting location. For this role, the primary location is Welwyn. If you are interested in additional locations where the role may be available, we will provide the relevant compensation details later in the hiring process.

A healthier future drives us to innovate. Together, more than 100,000 employees across the globe are dedicated to advance science, ensuring everyone has access to healthcare today and for generations to come. Our efforts result in more than 26 million people treated with our medicines and over 30 billion tests conducted using our Diagnostics products. We empower each other to explore new possibilities, foster creativity, and keep our ambitions high, so we can deliver life‑changing healthcare solutions that make a global impact.

Let’s build a healthier future, together.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees, and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of Roche Products Ltd. At Roche Products we believe diversity drives innovation and we are committed to building a diverse and flexible working environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, disability or age. We recognise the importance of flexible working and will review all applicants’ requests with care. At Roche difference is valued and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer where you are encouraged to bring your whole self to work.