Title:
CDO Country Cluster Head - US based/remote
Company:
Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals Inc.
About Ipsen:
Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on
transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and
Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with
global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet
medical need through research and innovation.
Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and
endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a
workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of
collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to
be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us
on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and
society!
For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/
[http://www.ipsen.com/] [http://www.ipsen.com/]and follow our latest news on
LinkedIn [http://www.linkedin.com/company/ipsen/] and Instagram
[http://www.instagram.com/ipsengroup/].
Job Description:
The Country-Cluster Lead is a leadership role, reporting to the Head of Study,
Site Management and Monitoring (SSMM) within Clinical Development Operations,
accountable for the oversight and operational excellence of Ipsen’s Country
Operations activities under a Functional Service Provider (FSP) delivery model.
The role provides leadership across the clinical trial lifecycle at country and
site level, from feasibility and site selection through study start‑up, site
management, monitoring (inc Risk Based), study close‑out, and inspection
readiness.
The role ensures consistent, compliant, and high‑quality execution at country
level IPSEN studies in the CDO portfolio and will be accountable for governance,
and oversight of FSP partners delivering country and site‑level activities on
Ipsen’s behalf. The individual will require a ‘Think Local, Act Global’ mindset
understanding local needs, within their Country/Cluster, but an ability to think
strategically and to align globally.
The role is accountable for ensuring high‑performing sites, reliable data, and
effective, best in class investigator relationships across Ipsen’s global
portfolio. Acts as single point of accountability for country/cluster level
performance.
The Country-Cluster Lead manages IPSEN staff, operating within that Cluster
including Functional Managers, Cluster Trial Managers and Principal Clinical
Research Associates. They also collaborate closely with FSP Leadership and
Staff in their Cluster/Country.
Trial Delivery
* Partner with functional leaders and FSP partners to ensure clinical trials
are delivered on time, within budget, and in-line with Quality standards.
* Overall accountability for country(s) project delivery to agreed timelines,
including patient recruitment targets.
* Build, develop and motivate a high‑performing internal team and ensure FSP
providers are bringing the right resource on board to ensure overall
delivery.
* Drive continuous improvement of Clinical Operations processes and procedures
to optimise development speed, quality, quality and regulatory compliance
Functional Service Provider (FSP) Oversight & Governance
* Provide end‑to‑end oversight of FSP partners delivering:
* Country feasibility and site identification
* Site selection and initiation
* Study start‑up activities (including regulatory and contractual interfaces)
* Recruitment to agreed targets.
* Study, Site Management and Monitoring.
* Study close‑out and inspection readiness activities.
* In country Study Management (CTM role)
* With Business Enablement and Compliance, contribute to creation of a clear
Study + Site Management and Monitoring Process Framework
* Ensure consistent application of Ipsen standards, SOPs, and quality
expectations across all FSP‑delivered activities.
* At cluster/country level, drive a strong partnership culture with FSP
providers while maintaining appropriate independence and sponsor oversight
* Lead escalation and remediation of performance, quality, or compliance
issues related to country or site‑level execution
* Act as senior IPSEN counterpart to FSP leadership within the cluster
* Influence and direct resourcing decisions and staff capability decisions at
country/cluster level
* Country Feasibility, Site Selection & Start‑Up Oversight
* In collaboration with appropriate global functions, establish strategic,
data‑driven approaches to country feasibility and site selection, ensuring
optimal country and site choices.
* Oversee site feasibility execution and validation to support realistic
enrolment projections and operational planning.
* Ensure efficient, compliant study start‑up execution, including:
* Site contracting and budget negotiations.
* Regulatory and ethics submissions (in partnership with applicable
stakeholders e.g. Regulatory).
* Site initiation readiness
* Monitor start‑up performance metrics and proactively address delays or
bottlenecks
* Site Management & Monitoring Excellence
Implement risk‑based monitoring (RBQM) strategies in line with regulatory
expectations and Ipsen standards. Ensure effective monitoring delivery
across studies, including:
* On‑site, remote, and centralized monitoring activities
* Investigational product compliance oversight
* Source data verification, source document review and data quality
oversight.
* Partner with Data Management, Biostatistics, and Central Monitoring
functions to ensure integrated oversight and risk mitigation. Drive
consistency in site execution, issue management, and protocol adherence
across all regions and studies
Study Close‑Out & Inspection Readiness
Ensure timely and compliant study and site close‑out activities across
Ipsen’s portfolio. Maintain continuous inspection readiness at site and
country level, including oversight of:
* TMF completeness and quality (in collaboration with TMF leadership)
* Site documentation and essential document quality
* Inspection preparedness activities with FSP partners and internal
stakeholders
* Support country focused regulatory inspections and audits, acting as a
senior sponsor representative for Study, Site Management and Monitoring
matters.
* Site Engagement Strategy
At country/cluster level, own and implement Ipsen’s Site Engagement
Strategy, aligned to clinical development priorities, therapeutic focus,
and portfolio growth. Establish a structured approach to understanding
Ipsen’s site landscape using it to lead the identification of priority and
strategic sites, differentiating:
* High‑performing operational delivery sites.
* Emerging or development sites critical to pipeline growth
* Sites in new/emerging Therapeutic Areas
* Be accountable for the health of investigator sites, including performance,
recruitment/retention and quality
Partner with key stakeholders (e.g. Local Medical Affairs)) to ensure that
a robust, differentiated site engagement strategy is put into place. May
include coordinating with global patient affairs to facilitate regional
patient input into clinical trials. Own study level site segmentation
strategy at country/cluster and, where necessary, will co-ordinate site
segmentation plan for an asset globally
Where appropriate partner with external groups like Patient Advocacy Groups
to optimise access to subjects and to support site performance
Understand the in-cluster capabilities and effectively communicate them to
support the global strategy e.g. access to country specific registries,
diagnostic testing pathways including planned policy changes.
IPSEN Team Leadership
Define, build, and grow the IPSEN internal Study, Site Management and
Monitoring organisation. Overseeing the team of internal Cluster Trial
Managers (CTMs) who will be responsible for Study Management within a
cluster of countries and the Principal Clinical Research Associates.
Partner with appropriate groups e.g. Training to ensure a highly skilled
team focused on delivery.
Quality, Compliance & Risk Management
Ensure all country level Study, Site Management and Monitoring activities
comply with:
* ICH‑GCP
* Applicable regional and local regulations
* Ipsen SOPs, policies, and quality standards
* Embed proactive risk identification and mitigation at site and country
level. Collaborate closely with Quality Assurance to address audit
findings, CAPAs, and continuous improvement initiatives. Promote a culture
of quality, accountability, and patient safety across internal teams and
FSP partners.
Performance Management, Metrics & Continuous Improvement
Oversee a robust performance management framework for country level Study,
Site Management and Monitoring activities.
Leverage operational, quality, and performance data to:
* Identify trends and risks.
* Drive evidence‑based decision‑making.
* Continuously improve efficiency and quality
* Deliver and continuously improve key country-level performance metrics
(e.g. start-up timelines, recruitment rates, data quality, inspection
outcomes)
* Partner with Strategy and Operations and Business Enablement teams to
enhance reporting and oversight capabilities (e.g. dashboards, KPIs).
Champion innovation, digital enablement, and simplification across
site‑level processes where appropriate.
Drives performance using data-driven insights, benchmarking, and targeted
interventions at site and study level
Leadership, Stakeholder Management & Culture
* Lead and develop high‑performing internal, country/cluster teams and
matrixed functions supporting Study, Site Management and Monitoring.
* Support resource forecasting and management.
* Act as a key interface with stakeholders across Clinical Development,
Quality, Regulatory, Medical, and Global Operations
* Embody a culture of continuous improvement across the Site Management and
Monitoring team
* Demonstrate leadership of change and be active in assuring change
management practices are applied across the team
* Acts as a senior external ambassador for Ipsen, engaging with key health
authorities, investigators, site networks, pharmaceutical associations, and
institutional leadership to strengthen Ipsen’s industry reputation and
access to high-value sites.
Knowledge & Experience (essential):
* A minimum 10 years experience in Clinical Trials
* Demonstrated experience leading Country Operations teams of different sizes
and operational models across all trial types. Experience in Site Management
and Monitoring required
* Demonstrated experience of people/project management experience, (e.g.,
leading project teams, operational teams, cross functional teams through
operational change and transformation).
* Extensive experience in clinical development, clinical operations, quality,
compliance, or related areas in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
* Demonstrated understanding of the clinical trial landscape and commitment to
innovation, creativity, and operational excellence.
* Extensive, demonstrated, knowledge of drug development processes, ICH-GCP
guidelines, 21 CFR Part 11, and major Health Authority regulations.
* Experience in audit/inspection readiness, preparation and conduct. Track
record of managing FDA/EMA inspections.
* Experience in large-scale organisational change management/implementation
programs.
* Proven influencer and change agent with superior project management
capabilities. Project management excellence in planning, prioritisation,
problem solving and organisational skills. Used to managing multiple
priorities in a dynamic environment. Agile mind-set.
* Experience in managing internal stakeholders and used to communicating across
all levels of the organization including up to ELT level.
* Strong understanding of clinical systems (eTMF, CTMS, QMS, etc.) and business
process design.
* Effective leadership skills and proven ability to foster team productivity
and cohesiveness in changing environment is required
* Financial acumen is required
Knowledge & Experience (preferred):
* Experience including Early Development in Oncology (or in patients)
preferred.
Education / Certifications (essential):
* A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree (University/college degree) in a scientific
discipline or general management is required.
Education / Certifications (preferred):
* Advanced degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, MD, PhD , Pharm D) is preferred.
Language(s) (essential):
* English
Language(s) (preferred):
* Country/Cluster languages preferred
Compensation
The annual base salary range for this position is $177,000 - $259,000.
This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentives program. At
Ipsen we are proud to offer a comprehensive employee benefits package, including
401(k) with company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage,
life and disability insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, as
well as flexible spending accounts. Ipsen also provides parental leave, paid
time off, a discretionary winter shutdown, well-being allowance, commuter
benefits, and much more.
The pay range displayed above is the range of base pay compensation within which
Ipsen expects to pay for this role at the time of this posting. Individual
compensation within this range depends on a variety of factors, including, but
not limited to, prior education and experience, job-related knowledge and
demonstrated skills.
We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and
supported; where we embrace “The Real Us”. The value we place on different
perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal
opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful
decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better
understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform
at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or
support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know.
This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of
your application. Ipsen is an equal opportunity employer that strictly prohibits
unlawful discrimination. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote
without regard to an individual’s race, color, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin/ancestry, age,
mental/physical disability, medical condition, marital status, veteran status,
or any other characteristic protected by law.