Associate Director, Clinical Operations (Contract)

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company; Boston (MA); Remote; USD 103,000 - 152,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Wellness programs

Other discounts

Job summary

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, seeks an Associate Director, Clinical Operations (Contract) to provide leadership across the clinical development lifecycle. The role oversees trials, manages budgets, and ensures compliance with GCP/ICH while coordinating with multiple functions.

The position is remote in the US with occasional travel and potential conversion to permanent. Requires 8+ years in clinical operations and strong cross-functional leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sciences field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO environments.
• Proven experience managing clinical trials across multiple phases (Phase 1–3), including domestic and international studies.
• Experience supporting global clinical trials preferred.
• CNS and/or sleep disorder experience preferred.
• PMP certification or formal project management training is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence cross‑functional teams without direct authority.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee end-to-end clinical trial operations from study start-up through close-out for Orexin programs.
• Develop and execute operational plans, timelines, and performance metrics.
• Partner with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Data Management, Biostatistics, Safety, and other functions.
• Develop, manage, and track study budgets within approved financial parameters.
• Provide updates on study status, risks, and milestones to senior leadership.
• Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support execution of contracts, clinical trial agreements, and study budgets.
• Contribute to regulatory strategy and support FDA submissions.
• Manage CROs and external partners to ensure high-quality performance.
• Ensure compliance with SOPs, GCP, and ICH; support inspection readiness.

Skills

Clinical trial operations

GCP & ICH knowledge

Cross-functional leadership

Regulatory submissions support

Vendor/CRO management

Budget management

Project management

Communication & collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in sciences

Advanced degree preferred

Tools

Clinical trial management systems

Job description

Associate Director, Clinical Operations (Contract)

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa's OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work in 2026.

Description of Role

The (contract-to-hire) Associate Director, Clinical Operations, will provide leadership and operational oversight for assigned clinical trials and programs throughout the clinical development lifecycle. This role is a temporary position with the potential to convert to a permanent role, supporting strategic planning, execution, quality, and compliance, ensuring study objectives are met on time, within budget, and according to applicable regulatory standards (e.g., GCP, ICH). The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally and support Centessa’s mission to bring transformational medicines to patients.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee end-to-end clinical trial operations from study start-up through close-out for Centessa’s Orexin development programs.
• Develop and execute operational plans, timelines, and performance metrics to support successful delivery of assigned studies.
• Partner closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory Affairs, Data Management, Biostatistics, Safety, and other functions to ensure aligned and efficient trial execution.
• Contribute to the development and review of key study documents, including protocols, informed consent forms, monitoring plans, EDC specifications, and statistical analysis plans.
• Develop, manage, and track clinical trial budgets, ensuring studies are delivered within approved financial parameters.
• Provide regular, clear updates on study status, risks, and milestones to senior leadership and key stakeholders.
• Proactively identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to maintain timelines, quality, and compliance.
• Support and facilitate execution of contracts, clinical trial agreements, and study budgets.
• Contribute to regulatory strategy and support preparation of submissions to regulatory authorities, including FDA, IRBs, and ECs.
• Manage and oversee CROs, vendors, and other external partners to ensure high-quality performance and adherence to expectations.
• Ensure all clinical operations activities comply with company SOPs, GCP, and ICH guidelines, and support inspection readiness as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in sciences field required; advanced degree preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO environments.
• Proven experience managing clinical trials across multiple phases (Phase 1–3), including domestic and international studies.
• Experience supporting global clinical trials preferred.
• CNS and/or sleep disorder experience preferred.
• Prior experience supporting FDA regulatory submissions is a plus.
• Strong working knowledge of clinical trial operations, global regulatory requirements, ICH guidelines, and GCP.
• Solid understanding of clinical development project management, including timelines, resources, budgets, and risk.
• Creative and adaptable approach to addressing challenges related to timelines, quality, or budget.
• Experience using clinical trial management systems.
• Demonstrated ability to oversee vendors, CROs, and external partners.
• PMP certification or formal project management training is a plus.
• Demonstrated leadership and ability to influence cross‑ functional teams without direct authority.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills.
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑ paced environment.
• Proactive problem‑ solver with the ability to anticipate needs, take initiative, and implement practical solutions.

Compensation

The hourly range for this position is $ 75 .00 to $ 110 .00 per hour. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.

Contractors engaged throughCentessaare employed through a third‑party agency that serves as the employer of record and provides access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligible contractors may enroll in medical plans, including PPO and EPO options, as well as dental and vision coverage after 30 days . Additional perks , such as a 401 (k), wellness programs, and other discounts, may also be available to eligible contractors.

Work Location

The Associate Director, Clinical Operations contract-to-hire role is a remote role based in the US, with occasional travel.

POSITION:

Temporary, non-exempt

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.

Voluntary Self-Identification

For government reporting purposes, we ask candidates to respond to the below self-identification survey.Completion of the form is entirely voluntary. Whatever your decision, it will not be considered in the hiringprocess or thereafter. Any information that you do provide will be recorded and maintained in aconfidential file.

As set forth in Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company ’s Equal Employment Opportunity policy,we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected group status under any applicable law.

If you believe you belong to any of the categories of protected veterans listed below, please indicate by making the appropriate selection.As a government contractor subject to the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act (VEVRAA), we request this information in order to measurethe effectiveness of the outreach and positive recruitment efforts we undertake pursuant to VEVRAA. Classification of protected categoriesis as follows:

A "disabled veteran" is one of the following: a veteran of the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service who is entitled to compensation (or who but for the receipt of military retired pay would be entitled to compensation) under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs; or a person who was discharged or released from active duty because of a service-connected disability.

A "recently separated veteran" means any veteran during the three-year period beginning on the date of such veteran's discharge or release from active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval, or air service.

An "active duty wartime or campaign badge veteran" means a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service during a war, or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized under the laws administered by the Department of Defense.

An "Armed forces service medal veteran" means a veteran who, while serving on active duty in the U.S. military, ground, naval or air service, participated in a United States military operation for which an Armed Forces service medal was awarded pursuant to Executive Order 12985.