Brief Description:

The Senior Director, Head of Early Phase Program Management is a pivotal strategic and operational leadership role within Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO). Reporting directly to the Executive Director, Head of Clinical Operations, the incumbent will serve as a key member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team, shaping the vision, operational strategy, and execution framework for Jazz Pharmaceuticals’ late-stage oncology  / early phase clinical trial portfolio.  This role requires a seasoned leader capable of bridging high-level strategic vision with granular technical detail. The Senior Director will partner closely with Clinical Development leadership in early program and study design, ensuring seamless execution planning, operational feasibility, and alignment with therapeutic area strategy. Additionally, the Senior Director will have a key role in reviewing comprehensive budgets and timelines in support of drug project governance and portfolio decision-making. 

Essential Functions/Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Organizational Vision Collaboration 

• Define and articulate the strategic vision and long-term direction for the Late Oncology Program Management / Early Phase Program Management, aligned with Clinical Operations, GCDO and broader R&D strategic goals. 

• Serve as an active and impactful member of the Clinical Operations Leadership Team, contributing to overall department governance, resource planning, and operational excellence. 

• Foster a high-performance, inclusive culture across the Late Oncology Program Management / Early Phase Program Management organization, embedding accountability, continuous learning, and operational agility. 

Portfolio Study Delivery & Operational Oversight 

• Ensure seamless end-to-end execution and operational delivery of complex, global  early-phase (Phase 1 FIH, 1b) clinical trials on schedule, within scope, and on budget. 

• Drive operational excellence, risk management, and proactive mitigation strategies across all early-phase trials to address potential portfolio risks. 

• Establish robust analysis of options and champion data-driven decision-making frameworks to navigate trial execution challenges effectively. 

Cross-Functional & Enterprise Partnering 

• Establish highly effective collaborative partnerships across Clinical Operations, Global Clinical Development Operations (GCDO), Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, Regulatory Affairs, Biometrics, Safety, and broader R&D leadership. 

• Build strong working relationships with external partners, including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), academic research networks, trial steering committees, and Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs). 

• Maintain a strong enterprise perspective, balancing functional excellence with broader strategic and business objectives. 
• Contribute to operational feasibility assessments and early execution planning during study concept and protocol development phases to ensure robust, deliverable trial designs. 

Governance, Financial Oversight & Budgetary Control 

• Develop, review, and defend global clinical program budgets and integrated timelines for presentation to drug project governance committees and R&D executive leadership. 
• Oversee financial planning, trial forecasting, resource allocation, and contribute to cost optimization initiatives across all global clinical trials 

Vendor Governance & Strategic Partnerships 

• Partner with Strategic Outsourcing and Clinical Innovation to define vendor strategy, key performance metrics, and governance structures. 
• Contribute to executive-level vendor performance reviews, steering committees, and contract issue escalations to ensure high-quality, cost-effective service delivery. 

Line Management & Capability Building 

• Provide direct line management, leadership, mentorship, and career development to a high-performing team of Clinical Operations Directors and Associate Directors. 
• Embed high-performance practices, accountability, and continuous improvement into the culture of the study management organization. 
• Build and scale functional capabilities, ensuring Program Leads have the competencies, tools, and resources required to plan and execute complex trials. 
• Recruit, retain, and scale top-tier clinical operations talent to meet evolving portfolio demands and capability requirements. 
• Promote global team alignment and flexible resourcing models capable of operating seamlessly across international time zones and geographic regions. 

Quality, Compliance & Inspection Readiness 

• Ensure all early-stage / late-stage oncology trials strictly adhere to ICH GCP guidelines, global regulatory standards, and internal Jazz Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). 
• Drive a culture of continuous audit and inspection readiness across all trial management activities and clinical documentation. 
• Contribute to audits, inspections, and regulatory queries, ensuring prompt resolution of any quality or compliance findings. 

Innovation, Digital Transformation & Process Optimization 

• Drive the integration of innovative clinical trial methodologies, including Decentralized Clinical Trials (DCTs), patient-centric execution models and pragmatic trial designs.  
• ChamptionLead the adoption of advanced digital solutions, automated workflows, and predictive AI analytics to enhance risk-based monitoringoversight, enrollment forecasting, operational planning and resource productivity. 
• Continuously evaluate and optimize operational workflows, driving process simplification, modernization of SOPs, and agile ways of working. 

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Proven Track Record (Early Phase): Demonstrated track record of successfully delivering complex clinical trials and multi-country portfolios, specifically in both early-phase (Phase 1) oncology (required) and healthy volunteer settings (preferred). 

• Clinical Development Partnership: Demonstrated experience partnering directly with Clinical Development Leads to shape program strategy / study design, protocol feasibility, and overall execution planning. 

• Governance & Budgeting: Proven track record of developing, presenting, and overseeing multi-million dollar clinical trial budgets and complex timelines to support formal drug project governance. 

• Functional Leadership: Substantial experience in leadership roles within a global study management or clinical operations organization within the pharmaceutical, biotech, or CRO industry. 

• Strategic Capability: A demonstrated track record of strategic function leadership, organizational design, and departmental vision setting. (Desirable) 

• Technical & Enterprise Balance: Demonstrated ability to manage complex technical details within the function while consistently maintaining a strategic enterprise perspective. 

• Strategic Partnering: Skilled at collaborating with Clinical Development and medical experts to translate scientific concepts into operationally viable study designs and execution plans. 

• Governance & Financial Acumen: Adept at constructing, analyzing, and presenting integrated program / study budgets and timelines for high-level governance review and strategic decision-making. 

• Self-Starter & Results-Driven: A highly motivated, resilient self-starter with a proactive approach to solving complex operational challenges. 

• Global Mindset & Flexibility: Proven capability to operate effectively across a matrixed global environment, requiring time zone flexibility to support multi-regional teams and study sites. 

• High-Performance Culture Builder: Demonstrated ability to inspire, motivate, and embed high-performance practices within a growing study management organization. 

• Communication & Influencing: Superior communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing decisions at executive leadership levels. 

Required/Preferred Education and Licenses

• Advanced degree (Ph.D., Pharm.D., M.S., or equivalent) in a life sciences, clinical research, or healthcare-related discipline preferred. A Bachelor’s degree with exceptional industry experience will also be considered. 

• Significant biopharmaceutical industry experience in clinical trial operations, with significant senior leadership responsibility in Global Study management. 

• Direct line management (required), including leadership of people managers (preferred) 

Closing date for applications is November 6