Lead statistical Programmer

Katalyst CRO; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Katalyst CRO in Boston is seeking a Contract Lead Programmer to manage statistical programming activities across several clinical trials. This senior position involves overseeing external CRO partners to ensure timely and compliant delivery of datasets and analysis. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in statistical programming and serve as a hands-on technical leader.

Responsibilities include leading programming efforts, collaborating across departments, and ensuring high-quality deliverables. A Master's degree and a background in pharmaceutical programming are essential.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of programming experience in the pharmaceutical or CRO industry.
• 3-5 years of experience as a lead programmer with CRO oversight.
• Advanced proficiency in Base SAS, SAS/STAT, SAS Macro language, and SAS SQL.

Responsibilities

• Lead statistical programming activities and deliverables across multiple studies.
• Oversee CRO programming activities, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Provide hands-on programming support for complex analyses.

Skills

Statistical programming

SAS

CDISC standards

Problem-solving

Management

Education

Master's degree in statistics, computer science, or related field

Tools

SAS/GRAPH

Job description

Job Summary

The Contract Lead Programmer serves as a senior, hands‑on programmer responsible for managing statistical programming activities across multiple clinical trials and therapeutic areas. The role oversees external CRO partners to ensure high‑quality, timely, and compliant delivery of analysis datasets, tables, listings, and figures that support clinical development and regulatory submissions. The position involves hands‑on technical leadership and requires comprehensive and detailed knowledge of statistical programming languages and software, filing support, clinical trial databases, and the drug development process.

Responsibilities

• Lead statistical programming activities and deliverables (e.g., SDTM/ADaM datasets, tables, listings, figures, review esub data packages with Pinnacle 21) across multiple studies and programs, serving as the primary programming point of contact. Must be able to review TMF for programming deliverables, including SAP.
• Oversee CRO programming activities by reviewing programming plans, SDTM/ADaM specifications, TLF shells, validation strategies, and issue logs.
• Monitor internal and CRO delivery against timelines, quality metrics, and contractual obligations; identify risks and implement mitigation or corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure consistency of standards, templates, macros, and processes across internal and external teams, and drive adoption of programming best practices.
• Provide hands‑on programming support to complex or high‑priority analyses, ad‑hoc requests, and regulatory responses, as needed.
• Partner with biostatistics to design, implement, and maintain programming development plans for each project, ensuring timely and high‑quality deliverables aligned with internal and industry standards.
• Partner with data management to apply CDISC standards during CRF design and database development.
• Partner with biostatistics, data management, clinical, regulatory, pharmacovigilance, and project management to align programming strategies with study‑level plans and regulatory expectations.
• Collaborate with medical writing, clinical, and regulatory on study‑level initiatives.
• Support inspection and audit readiness by ensuring appropriate documentation, traceability, and reproducibility of programming deliverables from both internal and CRO teams.

Requirements

• Master's degree (or equivalent experience) in statistics, computer science, mathematics, or a related field.
• 10+ years of programming experience in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or CRO industry.
• 3-5 years of experience as a lead programmer in statistical programming and CRO oversight.
• Proven record in developing and implementing statistical programming standards and procedures.
• In‑depth knowledge of CDISC (CDASH, SDTM, ADaM) standards and regulatory submission requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in Base SAS, SAS/STAT, SAS Macro language, and SAS SQL; SAS/GRAPH a plus (SAS version 9 or higher).
• Proficient in coding, debugging, and optimizing new and existing programs.
• Experience leading studies and supporting NDA and EMEA submissions.
• Adaptable, detail‑oriented, effective under pressure with initiative to take on new challenges.
• Demonstrated ability to establish and articulate a plan for a team to ensure appropriate focus and direction.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving, organizational, and multitasking abilities.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, both verbal and written.
• Collaborative team player with a customer‑focused mindset; strives to support others to succeed.
• Ability to communicate technical information to non‑scientists, and willingness to educate the internal team.
• Committed to quality and maintaining a positive attitude under shifting priorities.
• Ability to contribute to strategic planning for data standards, system infrastructure, and process optimization initiatives.