Local Study Associate Director

About us

At AstraZeneca we are guided in our work by a strong set of values, and we’re resetting expectations of what a biopharmaceutical company can be. By truly following the science, we pioneer new methods, new thinking and bring unexpected teams together. From scientists to sales, lab techs to legal, we’re on a mission to turn ideas into life changing medicines that transform lives. We need great people who share our passion for science and have the drive and determination to meet the unmet needs of patients around the world. If you’re swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

At AstraZeneca, we put patients first and strive to meet their unmet needs worldwide. Working here means being entrepreneurial, thinking big and working together to make the impossible a reality. If you are swift to action, confident to lead, willing to collaborate, and curious about what science can do, then you’re our kind of person.

Typical Accountabilities :

• Has the overall responsibility for the study commitments within the country and for timely delivery of data to required quality.
• Leads Local Study Team consisting of Study Start-up Manager(s), Contract Manager(s), CRA(s), CSA(s), for assigned study/studies.
• Leads and optimizes the performance of the Local Study Team(s) at country level ensuring compliance with AZ Procedural Documents, ICH-GCP and local regulations.
• Ensures, as required, that clinical and operational feasibility assessment of potential studies is performed to the highest quality.
• Leads the site selection process by identifying potential sites/investigators with Feasibility Lead (and (acting) Site Engagement Lead- where applicable) , performing initial Site Quality Risk Assessment in collaboration with CRA, and conducting or overseeing Site Qualification Visits to evaluate suitability and quality risks.
• Ensures timely submission of application/documents to EC/IRB at start up and for the duration of the study. Works together with Regulatory Affairs to ensure timely delivery of application/documents for submissions to Regulatory Authority for the duration of the study, and in line with local regulations. Ensures timely preparation of country financial Study Management Agreement (fSMA) and maintains accurate study budget in AZ clinical studies financial system by regular checks of the system and financial reports (as agreed with Director, SMM/ Director, Country Head).
• Ensures timely preparation of local Master CSA (including site budget) and amendments as needed.
• Ensures timely preparation of country level Master Informed Consent Form (MICF) and subsequent site level ICFs, as required, including any relevant translations, and in line with relevant AZ SOPs and local regulations.
• Ensures all country and site level trial essential documents required by ICH-GCP prior to study start have been collected and verified for correctness, prior to setting sites ready to enrol, and in line with AZ SOPs.
• Plans and coordinates applicable local drug activities (from local purchase or reimbursement to drug destruction).
• Sets up and maintains the study in CTMS at study country level as well as local websites as required by local laws and regulations.
• Oversees, manages and coordinates monitoring activities from site activation through to study closure at country and site level in accordance with the Monitoring Plans in collaboration with Clinical Research Associate Director as appropriate.
• Reviews or oversees the review of monitoring visit reports (as required and following AZ SOPs) and pro-actively advices the monitor(s) on study related matters.
• Performs any required co-monitoring, Accompanied Site Visits/training visits with study CRAs.
• Proactively identifies risks and facilitates resolution of complex study problems and issues.
• Organizes regular Local Study Team meetings on an agenda driven basis. - Is responsible to coordinate LST and specific meetings with the local medical affairs team through ECPLIPSE2.0
• Actively works towards achieving good personal relationships with all Local Study Team members, sites’ staff, local (eg medical affairs) and global stakeholders. AstraZeneca Job Profile.
• Is responsible to pro-actively share Reports study progress/update, risks and mitigation plan to the Global Study Associate Director/ Global Study Team, including SMM Lead.
• Contributes to patient recruitment strategy including regular communication with participating Investigators as necessary and set-up of recruitment vendor solutions.
• Develops, maintains and reviews risk management plan on country study level: proactively manages sites, stakeholders, local and global vendors and customers to ensure risks are timely identified, mitigated and managed. Communicates and co-ordinates regularly with National Co-ordinating Investigator / National Lead Investigator on recruitment and other study matters, if applicable.
• Plans and leads National Investigator meetings, in line with local codes, as required.
• Assists in forecasting study timelines, resources, recruitment, budget, study materials and drug supplies.
• Ensures relevant systems required to facilitate business critical, license to operate activities (for example, Safety Reporting, Regulatory submissions, Clinical Trial Transparency) are set-up, updated and access is organized at country level. Ensures accurate payments related to the study are performed according to local regulations and agreements.
• Participates in training and coaching new members of the Local Study Team ensuring compliance with ICH-GCP and AZ Procedural Documents.
• Ensures completeness of the eTMF and ensures essential documents are uploaded in a timeline manner to maintain the eTMF “Inspection Ready”.
• Ensures that all study documents are ready for final archiving and completion of local part of the eTMF.
• Plans and leads activities associated with audits and regulatory inspections in liaison with CQAD and QA.
• Provides input to process development and improvement.
• Provides regular information to Line Managers at country level on studies and planned study milestones/key issues.
• Updates Line Managers about the performance of the CRAs/CSAs.
• Ensures that study activities at country level comply with local policies and code of ethics.
• Provides feedback on any research related information including sites/investigators/competing studies that might be useful for the local market. Ensures compliance with AstraZeneca’s Code of Ethics, company policies and procedures relating to people, finance, technology, security and SHE (Safety, Health and Environment).
• Collaborates with local Medical Affairs team on the study execution and delivery.
• Supports SMM in different initiatives (local, regional or global) as agreed with the SMM Line Management.
• May act as Site Management & Monitoring Lead for the study

Education, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline.
• Significant experience in Study Management within a pharmaceutical or clinical background.
• Thorough knowledge of Patient Safety processes and local regulations
• Advanced degree within field
• Professional certification
• Clinical study delivery operational experience
• Project management experience

Why AstraZeneca?

At AstraZeneca we’re dedicated to being a Great Place to Work. Where you are empowered to push the boundaries of science and unleash your entrepreneurial spirit. There’s no better place to make a difference to medicine, patients and society. An inclusive culture that champions diversity and collaboration, and always committed to lifelong learning, growth and development. We’re on an exciting journey to pioneer the future of healthcare.

AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.