Senior Study Leader

Novartis Group Companies; East Hanover (NJ); On-site; USD 146,000 - 270,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Group of Companies in New Jersey seeks a Senior Study Leader to co-lead cross-functional clinical trial teams, guiding end-to-end execution of medium to complex studies.

You will drive operational planning, risk management, and budget allocation, partnering with CSL, COPH, and CTT leaders to ensure timely, compliant delivery of pivotal programs in a matrix global environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences/healthcare or clinically relevant field.
• 4+ years in clinical research or drug development spanning Phases I–IV.
• 3+ years delivering global/matrix clinical studies with GCP/ICH knowledge.
• Experience managing people globally in a complex matrix environment.
• Strong communication, organization, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Co-leads cross-functional clinical trial teams with CSL and SD-CL oversight.
• Oversee study planning, budgets, and timelines end-to-end.
• Promote operational excellence and risk management across studies.
• Develop study protocols with regulatory writing and clinical development teams.
• Foster agile culture and effective CTI dynamics with sub-team leads.
• Ensure inspection readiness and site close-out activities.

Skills

Leadership in matrix environment

Project management

Communication skills

Strategic thinking

Analytical problem solving

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in life sciences/healthcare

Advanced degree (strongly preferred)

Job description

Job Description Summary

Accountable, with per needed-basis oversight from the Study Director-community Lead (SD-CL), for the execution and delivery of the GCO supported clinical studies of standard to medium complexity and priority per the Operational Execution Plan (OEP) and clinical study protocol.
The Senior Study Leader co-leads together with the Clinical Science Lead (CSL) the cross-functional clinical trial team (CTT), guides planning and management of the assigned clinical study/studies end-to-end to achieve Global Program Team (GPT), Global Clinical Team (GCT) and GCO objectives. Accountable for proactive, iterative operational planning with effective contingencies and embedded risk management mindset in CTT. Oversee budget and people allocation within assigned study/studies.
Contribute in promoting operational excellence through process improvement and knowledge sharing across studies. Fosters an empowered, psychologically safe organization that can navigate a matrix environment, learns, and adjusts quickly to changing conditions and business needs.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

• Co-leads the clinical trial team with the CSL with per needed-basis oversight from the Study Director-community Lead (SD-CL) and support from the Clinical Operations Program Head (COPH), delivery of multiple medium to complex global studies and promotes learning, sharing, consistent performance, and operational excellence through an agile mindset, agile principles, and a team of teams' model
• Acts as the CTT product owner with duties and responsibilities for delivery of operational strategy per established ways of working
• Guides planning and decision making at the study level and delivers assigned clinical study/studies per the Operational Execution Plan (OEP) and clinical study protocol
• Fosters an agile culture within assigned studies to achieve sprint goals and cycles, maximizing collaboration and minimizing dependencies to achieve long-term business impact
• In collaboration with regulatory writing and clinical development, promotes operational excellence in the development of global clinical study protocol(s), by translating the approved study concept sheet(s) into efficient, high quality, executable clinical protocols, and study-related documents
• Create effective CTT dynamics and achieve on performance, prioritization, and communication in close collaboration with CTT sub-team leaders
• Proactive risk management and inspection readiness
• Responsible for developing clinical study timelines with per needed-basis oversight from the Study Director-community Lead (SD-CL) and support from the Clinical Operations Program Head (COPH), and overseeing assigned study budgets
• Ensures systems are maintained with up-to-date study status, risks, and issues
• Fosters a close working relationship with SSO Clinical Project Managers (CPMs) to strengthen the relationship between the global and local teams
• Oversees study recruitment and responsible for activating mitigation strategies in collaboration with the SSO Clinical Project Managers (CPMs)
• Fosters a close working relationship with the Vendor Partnerships & Governance (VPG) Trial Vendor Managers (TVMs) to strengthen the relationship between the vendors and CTT to deliver on clinical study objectives
• Fosters a close working relationship with the Clinical Data Operations (CDO) Trial Data Scientist (TDS) to deliver on clinical study objectives
• Ensures proper handling of all study close out activities including but not limited to site close out, final drug accountability and audit readiness of Trial Master File documentation
• Promotes operational excellence and contributes to the development of Clinical Study Reports, reporting of clinical trial results, and internal/external publications, when appropriate
• May deputize for the Clinical Operations Program Head as a leader and spokesperson for the CTT at Novartis internal meetings
• Partners and collaborates with Portfolio Strategy & Planning (PSP)/COPH to deliver clinical studies in alignment with program strategy
• Play a key role in achieving excellence in study operations and management through process improvement in collaboration with the Study Leadership Community Lead/Host and GCO Process, Training, and Compliance (PTC)

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences/healthcare (or clinically relevant degree) is required.
• 4+ years of recent involvement in clinical research or drug development in an academic or industry environment spanning clinical activities in Phases I through IV of standard to high complexity and priority
• 3+ years of recent contribution to and accomplishment in all aspects of conducting clinical studies of standard to high complexity and priority (e.g., planning, executing, reporting and publishing) in a global/matrix environment in pharmaceutical industry or a contract research organization, including expert knowledge of international standards (GCP/ICH), health authorities (FDA/EMA), local/National Health Authorities regulations and Novartis standards
• Experience in managing people globally in a complex matrix environment preferred
• Management of virtual teams. Proven ability and strong experience leading teams and building capabilities
• Experience in developing effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholdersExcellent communicator and presenter (oral and written); ability to communicate at all levels
• Excellent organization and prioritization
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills and enterprise mindset
• Strong project management skills and demonstrated ability to meet timelines
• Proven track record in trial operations process improvement(s) in some aspects of clinical trials
• Superior strategic thinking with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Desirable Requirements

• Knowledge of appropriate therapeutic area strongly preferred
• Advanced degree is strongly preferred

The salary for this position is expected to range between $145,600 and $270,400 per year.

The final salary offered is determined based on factors like, but not limited to, relevant skills and experience, and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically. Novartis may change the published salary range based on company and market factors.

Your compensation will include a performance-based cash incentive and, depending on the level of the role, eligibility to be considered for annual equity awards.

US-based eligible employees will receive a comprehensive benefits package that includes health, life and disability benefits, a 401(k) with company contribution and match, and a variety of other benefits. In addition, employees are eligible for a generous time off package including vacation, personal days, holidays and other leaves.

EEO Statement

The Novartis Group of Companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion or other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.

Accessibility and reasonable accommodations

The Novartis Group of Companies are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If, because of a medical condition or disability, you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application process, or to perform the essential functions of a position, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] or call [phone] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Please include the job requisition number in your message.

Salary Range

$145,600.00 - $270,400.00

Skills Desired

Auditing (Inactive), Clinical Research, Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Data Management, Global Project Management, Health Sciences, Lifesciences (Inactive)