Senior Director Observational Research

1027 Amgen Limited; Cambridgeshire and Peterborough; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total Rewards Plans

Equal Opportunity employer

Job summary

Amgen is seeking a Senior Director of Observational Research to provide global strategic leadership within Clinical Operations. You will shape the Observational Research portfolio, drive evidence generation strategies, and ensure compliant, high-quality delivery across programs.

The role requires leading diverse teams, managing budgets, and partnering with cross-functional groups to advance product development and patient outcomes.

Qualifications

• Degree educated in clinical research, clinical operations, and/or real-world evidence generation.
• Experience leading global clinical operations and complex programs.
• Strong business acumen with strategic thinking for evidence strategies.

Responsibilities

• Lead global clinical operations strategy for Observational Research portfolio.
• Translate evidence generation strategies into scalable operational delivery models.
• Set portfolio priorities and oversee governance, budgeting, and vendor strategies.
• Lead organizational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster partnerships with Product Teams, CfOR, GDO, and CROs/service providers.
• Provide leadership in workforce planning, talent development, and succession planning.
• Represent the function in senior leadership and governance forums.

Skills

Global clinical operations leadership

Observational research & pragmatictr

Strategic thinking

People leadership

GCP & regulatory standards

Budget & portfolio management

Executive presence

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Degree educated in life sciences or related field

Job description

Career Category Clinical Job Description

Join Amgen’s Mission of Serving Patients At Amgen, if you feel like you’re part of something bigger, it’s because you are. Our shared mission—to serve patients living with serious illnesses—drives all that we do. Since 1980, we’ve helped pioneer the world of biotech in our fight against the world’s toughest diseases. Amgen is advancing a broad and deep pipeline and portfolio of medicines to treat heart disease, obesity and obesity‑related conditions, rare diseases, inflammatory conditions and cancer. As a member of the Amgen team, you’ll help make a lasting impact on the lives of patients as we research, manufacture, and deliver innovative medicines to help people live longer, fuller happier lives. Our award‑winning culture is collaborative, innovative, and science based. If you have a passion for challenges and the opportunities that lay within them, you’ll thrive as part of the Amgen team. Join us and transform the lives of patients while transforming your career.

SENIOR DIRECTOR OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH

What you will do

Let’s do this. Let’s change the world. In this vital role, you will provide global strategic leadership for Amgen’s Observational Research Clinical Operations function within Clinical Program Strategy & Operations (CPSO), driving the strategy and execution of observational studies, pragmatic clinical trials, and innovative real‑world evidence generation approaches. You will shape the function’s operating model, capabilities, and portfolio priorities, ensuring high‑quality, efficient, and compliant delivery of evidence that supports product development and patient outcomes. Lead the global clinical operational strategy, planning, and execution of the Observational Research portfolio, aligning delivery with product development and evidence generation objectives. Translate innovative evidence generation strategies into scalable and effective operational delivery models, including observational research and pragmatic clinical trials. Set portfolio priorities and oversee operational governance, resource allocation, budgets, vendor strategies, risk management, and performance. Establish strategic partnerships with Product Teams, the Center for Observational Research (CfOR), Global Development Operations (GDO), and other cross‑functional stakeholders to ensure successful portfolio execution. Lead and develop the Observational Research function, shaping organizational capabilities, workforce planning, talent development, and succession strategies. Drive operational excellence, quality, and compliance through standardized processes, inspection readiness, continuous improvement, and innovative technologies. Represent the function in senior leadership and governance forums, influencing strategic decisions and advancing future evidence generation capabilities.

What we expect of you

We are all different, yet we all use our unique contributions to serve patients.

What we seek in you as an experienced professional, are these qualifications and skills:

• Degree educated Extensive experience in clinical research, clinical operations, and/or real‑world evidence generation, including significant experience within the biopharmaceutical industry.
• Proven leadership of global clinical operations, complex programs, and evidence generation portfolios, particularly observational research and pragmatic clinical trials.
• Strong business acumen and strategic thinking, with the ability to translate broader organizational objectives and innovative real‑world evidence strategies into actionable clinical operational plans.
• Demonstrated people leadership experience, including building and developing high‑performing global teams, workforce planning, and talent development.
• Strong understanding of global clinical development, evidence generation, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and applicable regulatory and quality standards.
• Experience overseeing portfolio planning, budgets, resource allocation, operational governance, and external partnerships, including CROs and service providers.
• Proven ability to lead organizational transformation, drive innovation, and implement continuous improvement initiatives.
• Strong executive presence, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to engage senior leadership and navigate complex, global matrix organizations.
• Strategic decision‑making and problem‑solving capabilities, with a focus on operational excellence, risk management, and successful portfolio delivery.

What you can expect of us

As we work to develop treatments that take care of others, we also work to care for your professional and personal growth and well‑being. From our competitive benefits to our collaborative culture, we’ll support your journey every step of the way. In addition to the base salary, Amgen offers competitive and comprehensive Total Rewards Plans that are aligned with local industry standards.

As an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people around the world, Amgen fosters an inclusive environment of ethical, committed and highly accomplished people who respect each other and live the Amgen values to continue advancing science to serve patients. Together, we compete in the fight against serious disease. Amgen is an Equal Opportunity employer. We make all employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities, consistent with legal requirements. Please contact us to request accommodation.

Amgen is committed to unlocking the potential of biology for patients suffering from serious illnesses by discovering, developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative human therapeutics. This approach begins by using tools like advanced human genetics to unravel the complexities of disease and understand the fundamentals of human biology. Amgen focuses on areas of high unmet medical need and leverages its biologics manufacturing expertise to strive for solutions that improve health outcomes and dramatically improve people's lives. A biotechnology pioneer since 1980, Amgen has grown to be one of the world's leading independent biotechnology companies, has reached millions of patients around the world and is developing a pipeline of medicines with breakaway potential. For more information, visitwww.amgen.comand follow us onwww.twitter.com/amgen