Clinical Research Manager - Ophthalmology - Remote

Merck • Rahway, NJ

4d • Remote

About The Position

This role is primarily accountable for the end-to-end performance and project management for assigned protocols in a country in compliance with ICH/GCP and country regulations, our Company policies and procedures, quality standards and adverse event reporting requirements internally and externally. The CRM could be responsible for a particular study for several countries in a cluster. This position is a customer-facing role, building business relationships and representing the company with investigators. The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long-term incentive, if applicable.

Requirements

• 5 years of experience in clinical research.
• Strong Ophthalmology experience required, with retinal disease experience strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's degree in science (or comparable)
• Knowledge in Project Management and site management.
• Strong organizational skills with demonstrated success required.
• Requires ability to make decisions independently and oversee important activities relevant to clinical research activities according to predetermined global policies and commitments with the support, oversight and supervision of the TA Head or CRD.
• Requires strong understanding of local regulatory environment.
• Strong scientific and clinical research knowledge is required.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial planning, management and metrics is essential as well as the ability to focus on multiple deliverables and protocols simultaneously.
• Experience functioning as a key link between Country Operations and Clinical Trial Teams.
• Communicates effectively and builds a collaboration spirit in a remote/virtual environment and across countries, cultures and functions.
• Ability and skills to manage resource allocation, processes (and controls), productivity, quality and project delivery.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English and local language. The incumbent must be competent and effective in written and verbal communication.
• Strategic thinking.
• Ability to work efficiently in a remote and virtual environment.
• Understand cultural inclusion.
• The position requires proven strong project management skills and/or project management certification or relevant training program/close mentoring.
• Strong leadership skills that enable and drive alignment with the goals, purpose and mission of our Company's Research Labs, Global Clinical Development (GCD) and GCTO.
• Ability to identify problems, conflicts and opportunities early and lead, analyze and prepare mitigation plans and drive conflict resolution is critical.
• Required to negotiate skillfully in tough situations with both internal and external groups; settle differences with minimum disruption. Examples of common problems include: 1) low patient recruitment, 2) inadequate staff to meet business needs, 3) performance or compliance issues, 4) working with regulatory issues and the broader organization, and 5) resolution of conflictive situations.
• Educational/pedagogic, diplomatic and empathic skills to effectively build and maintain professional relationships with investigators and other stakeholders.
• Adaptability
• Business Relationship Building
• Clinical Data Management
• Clinical Research
• Clinical Site Management
• Clinical Trial Management Processes
• Clinical Trials
• Cultural Diversity
• Decision Making
• Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Medical Affairs
• Ophthalmology
• Optometry
• Project Management
• Quality Management
• Quality Standards
• Regulatory Issues
• Regulatory Submissions
• Risk Based Monitoring
• Risk Management
• Site Management
• Strategic Planning
• Strategic Thinking
• Team Leadership
• Vendor Management

Nice To Haves

• Retinal disease experience strongly preferred.
• CRA Experience preferred.
• Advanced degree, (e.g., Master degree, MD, PhD)

Responsibilities

• Main Point of Contact (POC) for assigned protocols and link between Country Operations and clinical trial team (CTT).
• Responsible for project management of the assigned studies: pro-actively plans, drives and tracks execution and performance of deliverables/timelines/results to meet country commitments from feasibility and site selection, recruitment, execution and close out.
• Accountable for performance for assigned protocols in a country in compliance with ICH/GCP and country regulations, our Company policies and procedures, quality standards and adverse event reporting requirements internally and externally.
• Reviews Monitoring Visits Reports and escalates performance issues and training needs to CRA manager and/or functional vendor and internal management as needed.
• Performs Quality control visits as required.
• Leads local study teams to high performance: trains in the protocol other local roles, closely collaborates with and supports CRAs as protocol expert and coordinates activities across the different local country roles ensuring a strong collaboration (including the CTC, CRAs and COM).
• Responsible for creating and executing a local risk management plan for assigned studies.
• Ensures compliance with CTMS, eTMF and other key systems in assigned studies.
• Escalates as needed different challenges and issues to TA Head/CRD/CCQM and or CTT (as appropriate).
• Identifies and shares best practices across clinical trials, countries, clusters.
• Responsible for collaboration with functional outsourcing vendors, investigators, other external partners in assigned studies.
• Country POC for programmatically outsourced trials for assigned protocols.
• Serves local business needs as applicable in his/her country (if delegated can sign contracts and manage budgets).
• Supports local and regional strategy development consistent with long‐term corporate needs in conjunction with CRD, TAH and Regional Operations.
• Collaborates internally with HQ functions, regional and local operations, EU Clinical Development, Pharmacovigilance, Global Medical Affairs to align on key issues/decisions across the trials. Consult with GHH as needed.

Benefits

• medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family)
• retirement benefits, including 401(k)
• paid holidays
• vacation
• compassionate and sick days

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager