Global Head of Clinical Operations

Galderma•Boston, MA

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Head of Clinical Operations is responsible for defining and leading the global clinical operations strategy and execution across the injectable Aesthetics and Therapeutic Dermatology portfolio. This role provides enterprise level leadership to ensure the delivery of high-quality, compliant, and efficient clinical trials across all phases of development. Reporting to the Global Head of R&D, this position is a key member of the R&D Leadership Team and plays a critical role in shaping the clinical development execution, portfolio prioritization, and operational strategy. The Global Head of Clinical Operations oversees global clinical operations capabilities, drives innovation and trial design and execution, and ensures inspection readiness and regulatory compliance across all regions. This leader will operate in a highly matrixed, global environment, influencing senior stakeholders and external partners to accelerate development timelines, optimize investment, and enhance clinical trial performance.

Requirements

Advanced degree (PhD, MD, PharmD, or Master’s) in Life Sciences, Medicine, Pharmacy, or related field a related field required.
15+ years of experience in clinical operations within pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry.
8-10+ years of progressive leadership experience, including leaders in global, matrix organizations.
Proven track record of successfully delivering global, multiregional clinical trials across multiple phases of development.
Significant experience with CRO oversight, outsourcing strategies, and vendor governance at scale.
Demonstrated leadership and regulatory inspections and interactions with global health authorities.
Experience managing large, complex clinical operation budgets.
Enterprise leadership and strategic mindset.
Deep expertise in global clinical trial execution.
Strong financial and operational acumen.
Executive presence and influencing skills.
Organizational leadership and talent development.
Ability to lead in a complex, matrix, global environment.
Change leadership and transformation capability.

Nice To Haves

Additional business or leadership training a plus.
Therapeutic area experience in dermatology, aesthetics, immunology, or specialty care strongly preferred.
Experience with medical devices, injectables, or combination products is a plus.

Responsibilities

Define and implement the global clinical operation strategy align with portfolio priorities and corporate objectives.
Oversee end-to-end execution of global, multi-regional clinical trials across early- and late-stage development, ensuring delivery on time, within budget, and within compliance and regulatory requirements.
Establish governance frameworks, operational standards, and performance metrics to drive consistency, quality, and accountability across all trials.
Provide strategic input into portfolio planning, trial feasibility, and investment decisions to optimize resource allocation and execution outcomes.
Ensure inspection readiness and lead or organizational responses to global health authority inspections and audits (e.g., FDA, EMA, PMDA).
Serve as the Clinical Operations representative and R&D leadership forums, contributing to enterprise level decision making and portfolio governance.
Partner closely with Clinical Sciences, Regulatory Affairs, Medical Affairs, Program Management, and Commercial teams to align clinical execution with development and business strategies.
Influence senior stakeholders to drive alignment on timelines, risks, and tradeoffs across the development portfolio.
Build and maintain strong relationships with external partners including Contract Research Organizations (CROs), vendors, and key industry stakeholders.
Drive continuous improvement of clinical operations through the implementation of innovative approaches, including risk-based quality management (RBMQ), centralized monitoring, and data-driven decision-making.
Lead the adoption of advanced technologies, including digital tools, AI-driven analytics, and real-world evidence, to enhance trial efficiency and patient-centricity.
Optimize outsourcing strategies, vendor governance models, and operational processes to improve speed, quality, and cost-effectiveness.
Monitor industry trends and regulatory developments to ensure the organization remains at the forefront of clinical trial innovation.
Lead and develop a global Clinical Operations organization, including a leadership team responsible for Clinical Trial Management, Monitoring, Clinical Supplies, Standards and Business Operations.
Build organizational capability through talent development, succession planning, and performance management.
Foster a high performance, collaborative culture aligned with company values and leadership expectations.
Lead organizational transformation and changes initiatives to enhance agility, scalability, and operational effectiveness.
Oversee global clinical operation budgets, ensuring financial discipline and alignment with portfolio priorities.
Establish and manage strategic partnerships with CRO's and vendors, including contract negotiations, performance management, and governance.
Drive cost optimization while maintaining high standards of quality and compliance.