Clinical Operations Country Head

Roche; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Roche Saudi Arabia in Riyadh seeks a senior leader to guide the Country Leadership Team and shape the country strategy in alignment with global priorities.

The role drives external stakeholder engagement with health authorities and industry groups, ensures local compliance, and leads a high-performance, inclusive culture. You will partner across PDG, GM, CMD, and legal to optimize portfolio delivery and resource use.

Qualifications

• MD degree required and professional certification if applicable.
• Proven track record in leading large cross-functional teams.
• Experience in pharmaceutical/biotech regulatory environments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Country Leadership Team and drive country strategy.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations and ethical standards.
• Manage relationships with authorities, ethics committees, and industry groups.
• Develop and nurture talent, performance management and inclusion.
• Collaborate with global leaders to align portfolio delivery.

Skills

Leadership

Strategy development

Stakeholder management

Data-driven decision making

People leadership

Education

MD

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

The Opportunity

Main Responsibilities

1. Leadership and Strategic Direction

• Country Leadership Team: Lead the Country Leadership Team, comprising members with clearly defined accountabilities across key organizational pillars
• Country Strategy and Portfolio: Accountable for the development, implementation, and delivery of the overall country strategy and portfolio, aligning with global organizational objectives and priorities.
• Strategic Collaboration: Work together with internal stakeholders such as P&C, General Manager (GM), Country Medical Director (CMD), and legal on country-specific, non-TA-specific issues. Partner with other Country/Area Heads and Global Leaders to enhance portfolio delivery and execution across Clinical Operations, ensuring alignment and synergy.
• Global Alignment: Engage with global TA/CoE/APO Leaders, when appropriate, to facilitate effective portfolio delivery, ensuring all activities are conducted in accordance with the global PDG strategy and One Pharma strategy.
• Portfolio Oversight: Maintain comprehensive portfolio awareness, proactively identifying and addressing any in-country priority conflicts to ensure efficient resource allocation and optimal outcomes.

2. Operational Excellence and Compliance

• Local Compliance: Ensure that the country operates in full compliance with all local requirements, including legal, financial, and ethical standards and practices.
• Resource Management: Ensure the efficient and responsible use of resources and budget, maximizing value and minimizing waste.
• Productivity and Efficiency: Identify and implement strategies and tactics in partnership with the CROs to drive continuous productivity and efficiency gains, fostering a high-performing organizational culture.
• Data-driven performance optimisation: Continuously monitor and optimize performance and efficiency with a data-driven mindset, leveraging established KPIs and metrics to measure and enhance country performance.
• Process Improvement and Innovation: Champion and implement process improvements in PDG and in partnership with the CROs to enhance operational effectiveness and streamline workflows.

3. External Stakeholder Management and Relations

• Build and maintain strong relationships with the CRO partners and external stakeholders, including Health Authorities, Ethics Committees, and Industry Groups, to influence policy and actively drive initiatives to strengthen clinical research within the country.
• Local Environment and Legislation: Maintain a solid understanding of the local environment and legislation governing the conduct of clinical trials in the country, ensuring compliance and effective operations.

4. People Leadership and Development

• Driving department-wide engagement by fostering a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and high performance while championing inclusion and belonging. Inspire, motivate, and develop talent within the team, ensuring a focus on individual growth and leadership development to build a strong, elevated talent pipeline aligned with organizational objectives.
• Regular year-round assessment of performance, contributions, and impact and providing feedback, coaching, and performance management.
• Manages direct reports, including other people leaders.
• Leading by example in demonstrating and championing inclusive behaviours in your team, PDG, PD, and the Roche Enterprise. Provide opportunities for growth and development for all team members and address any barriers that may exist.

Who you are?

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree (MD, Ph