Manager of Research Sites

ThermoFisher Scientific; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Thermo Fisher Scientific is seeking a Manager Sites to coordinate multiple research sites, ensure regulatory compliance, lead site staff, and optimize operations for clinical trials and research projects.

You will oversee site targets, supervise clinical trial activities, manage budgets and contracts, and ensure recruitment aligns with study requirements while maintaining quality standards. This role requires leadership and strategic planning in a global clinical research environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic qualification.
• 5+ years of experience in a similar role overseeing clinical trials or research sites.
• At least 1 year of leadership responsibility.

Responsibilities

• Manage site staff including hiring, development and performance reviews.
• Oversee site activities to meet targets from senior management.
• Supervise clinical trials at the site ensuring quality and targets.
• Manage site costs and vendor contracts.
• Plan capacity and back-up plans; coordinate meetings.
• Ensure patient recruitment aligns with study requirements.
• Ensure compliance with quality framework and regulatory standards.

Skills

Staff management

Regulatory knowledge

Clinical trials oversight

Project management

Budgeting

Data analysis

Communication

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

EDC/eCRF

MS Office

Job description

Work Schedule

Standard Office Hours (40/wk)

Environmental Conditions

Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Cold Room/Freezers -22degreesF/-6degrees C, Office, Some degree of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) required (safety glasses, gowning, gloves, lab coat, ear plugs etc.)

Job Description

Join us as a Manager Sites – And oversee the coordination and management of multiple research sites, ensure compliance with regulatory standards, lead site staff, optimize operational efficiency, and support the successful execution of clinical trials and research projects.

At Thermo Fisher Scientific, you’ll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life - enabling our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while taking science a step beyond through research, development and delivery of life-changing therapies. With clinical trials conducted in 100+ countries and ongoing development of novel frameworks for clinical research through our PPD clinical research portfolio, our work spans laboratory, digital and decentralized clinical trial services. Your determination to deliver quality and accuracy will improve health outcomes that people and communities depend on – now and in the future.

What You’ll Do:

• Manage staff, which may include interviewing and selection, job description preparation, professional development, goal setting, performance management, coaching and mentoring, employee counselling, and separations. Approve courses of action on salary administration, hiring, corrective action, and terminations. Review and approve time records, expense reports, requests for leave, and overtime.
• Manage site activities to ensure delivery of site targets as received from senior management.
• Provide direct or indirect supervision of all clinical and administrative aspects of a clinical trial within the research site to ensure delivery of targets and quality.
• Responsible for cost efficiencies within the site and all vendor contracts for services at the site.
• Continuously oversee the schedules of site staff to ensure highest utilization of all resources.
• Evaluates and implements new operational strategies to enhance efficiencies, provide competitive advantages, and improve overall profitability of the site.
• May provide input in the feasibility process, considering both recruitment and operational concerns.
• Communicate targets to the site teams and continuously measures progress.
• Plan and prepare proactively for future studies according to new and defined strategies, embracing and implementing new TA area initiatives at the sites.
• Collaborate with site and management regarding capacity planning and back-up plans, arranging and attending meetings.
• Ensure patient recruitment activities are adequate for study requirements.
• Ensure compliance with the company quality framework, regulatory (GCO) legislation, guidelines and international standards (Global/Local COPS/SOPS).

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent and relevant formal academic / vocational qualification
• Previous experience that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the job (comparable to 5+ years).
• 1+ year of leadership responsibility

In some cases an equivalency, consisting of a combination of appropriate education, training and/or directly related experience, will be considered sufficient for an individual to meet the requirements of the role.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Manages experienced professionals and / or subordinate management who exercise latitude and independence in their assignments. Often heads one or more sections or a small department.
• Accelerated Enrollment Solutions is a business unit of Pharmaceutical Product Development, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“PPD”),
• collectively made up of Acurian, Inc. and Synexus, each a subsidiary of PPD.
• Advanced computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft office and content management software and the ability to learn appropriate software/hardware (i.e. EDC, eCRF and possibly IT/SQL skills but not essential)
• Strong attention to detail
• Good problem-solving abilities
• Good organizational and time management skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• In-depth perspective and knowledge to represent IGC on task forces or teams
• Demonstrated ability to analyze data, determining root cause of deficiencies and providing recommendations for resolution
• Skilled in leading process improvement activities
• Ability to successfully mentoring and training junior staff
• Proficiency in the review and analysis of audit reports
• Effective coaching and counselling skills
• Ability to read, understand and interpret a protocol
• Knowledge of clinical trial process and data management, clinical operations, quality management,
• and systems applications to support operations
• Strong communication skills and business acumen

Working Conditions and Environment:

• Work is performed in an office environment with exposure to electrical office equipment.
• Frequently drives to site locations and frequently travels both domestic and international.

Physical Requirements:

• Frequently stationary for 6-8 hours per day.
• Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists.
• Moderate mobility required.
• Occasional crouching, stooping, bending and twisting of upper body and neck.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs.
• Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf.
• Able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Frequently interacting with others, relates sensitive information to diverse groups both internally & externally.
• Ability to apply basic principles to solve conceptual issues.
• Performs a wide range of variable tasks as dictated by variable demands and changing conditions with little predictability as to the occurrence. Ability to perform under stress. Ability to multi-task.
• Regular and consistent attendance.

Why Join Us?

When you join Thermo Fisher Scientific, you become part of a global team that values passion, innovation, and a commitment to scientific excellence. You’ll work in an environment where collaboration and development are part of the everyday experience – and where your contributions truly make a difference.

Thermo Fisher Scientific is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status.