Senior Clinical Pharmacology Trial Leader

Salary Range:

£49,140.00 - £91,260.00

Job Description Summary

• Role Type: Hybrid Working, #LI-Hybrid
• Location: WestWorks, London, United Kingdom
• Relocation Support: This role is based in London, United Kingdom. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

What if your leadership could help turn first-in-human research into confident decisions about the medicines of tomorrow? As Senior Clinical Pharmacology Trial Leader, you will provide the scientific and operational leadership needed to deliver early clinical pharmacology studies from protocol development through to Clinical Study Report finalisation. Acting as the primary bridge between Novartis, internal study teams, investigators, and selected Contract Research Organisations, you will ensure that emerging pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety data are delivered to a high standard and translated into meaningful program decisions.

Working Arrangement: This hybrid role is based at WestWorks in London, with flexibility to work remotely for up to two days per week. Domestic and international travel may be required to support study oversight, investigator meetings, and study-team engagement.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities

Lead assigned first-in-human and clinical pharmacology studies from protocol development through Clinical Study Report finalisation.

Develop protocol synopses and protocols with medical, pharmacokinetic, biomarker, statistical, and other cross-functional partners.

Serve as the primary Novartis contact for Contract Research Organisations, providing direction, oversight, challenge, and issue resolution.

Lead cross-functional study teams, aligning internal contributors, investigators, vendors, and external partners around study objectives.

Oversee study start-up, conduct, and close-out, including deliverables, timelines, risks, milestones, and operational execution.

Lead ongoing review and interpretation of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, safety, and other emerging clinical study data.

Prepare and lead dose-escalation meetings, ensuring timely availability of quality data to support informed decisions.

Lead study-level risk management and implement appropriate mitigation strategies throughout the trial lifecycle.

Contribute to Clinical Study Reports, regulatory documents, internal decision materials, publications, and program updates.

Manage study budgets and vendor strategies while sharing lessons learned and strengthening clinical trial delivery practices.

Essential Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Healthcare, or a related discipline.

Approximately six or more years of experience in clinical trial development, clinical pharmacology, or early clinical development.

Experience contributing to or leading first-in-human, clinical pharmacology, or other early-phase studies.

Strong experience in protocol development, early-phase study design, and interpretation of pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, and safety data.

Experience delivering studies through Contract Research Organisations or other external clinical-research partners.

Strong clinical-trial leadership, operational project-management, planning, prioritisation, and organisational skills.

Ability to lead cross-functional teams, manage competing priorities, and influence internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to interpret, discuss, and represent clinical study data and support timely scientific and operational decisions.

Strong knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, International Council for Harmonisation standards, regulatory requirements, and high-quality clinical trial conduct.

Fluent written and spoken English.

Desirable Requirements

Advanced degree such as a Master of Science, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Medicine, or equivalent.

Experience managing or leading multiple complex global clinical studies concurrently.

Working knowledge of clinical finance principles, study forecasting, and budget management.

Experience contributing to talent development, mentoring, onboarding, or capability building within study teams.

Benefits & Rewards

At Novartis, we’re committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: £49,140 to £91,260

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Pay equity is a fundamental principle of our employment policy and reflects our commitment to create a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that treats all employees with dignity and respect, as outlined in our Code of Ethics.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering:

https://www.novartis.com/sites/novartis_com/files/novartis-life-handbook.pdf

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion / EEO paragraph

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams’ representative of the patients and communities we serve.

You may be eligible for a company vehicle or a car allowance in accordance with the applicable local Novartis policies and guidelines.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Skills Desired

Audit Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Reports, Clinical Trial Management Systems (CTMS), Clinical Trials, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Data Auditing, Data Management, Health Sciences, Life Science, Project Planning, Vendor Management, Waterfall Model