Global Trial Lead

Bristol Myers Squibb•Princeton, NJ

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Global Trial Lead (GTL) provides strategic and operational oversight for global clinical trials, ensuring they are executed with excellence—on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies. This role serves as a key leader within Global Development Operations (GDO), contributing to study-level strategy, cross-functional alignment, and issue and risk resolution. The individual guides trial execution across all phases and manages relationships with vendors to uphold performance and quality. This role may also lead global initiatives, support Operational Portfolio Leads on asset, trial and/or therapeutic-level inquiries, and influence decision-making at both study and organizational levels. The Global Trial Lead plays a pivotal part in driving delivery of registrational and non-registrational studies, with broad impact across therapeutic areas and global teams.

Requirements

BA/BS or equivalent degree in relevant discipline
Minimum 4 years of experience in clinical operations roles and project management in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, including multi-national experience.
Experience in leading global clinical trials with strong project management/organizational skills and presentation and communication abilities.
Experience leading global and multi-functional teams in a matrixed environment
Global Trial & Project Management: Leads global clinical trials with expertise in planning, execution, and oversight. Ensures regulatory compliance, patient safety, and timely delivery of high-quality data. Drives project outcomes through strategic coordination and progress tracking.
Operational & Budget Oversight : Manages end-to-end trial operations, including site selection, recruitment, vendor coordination, and resource planning. Oversees budgets, forecasts, accruals, and cost optimization to ensure financial accuracy and efficiency.
Risk & Quality Management: Identifies and mitigates risks to ensure trial continuity. Maintains GCP/GXP compliance and supports audit readiness with a strong quality mindset.
Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement: Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Manages communications, escalations, and alignment across functions and geographies.
Clinical & Regulatory Expertise : Demonstrates knowledge of clinical trial phases, therapeutic areas, and regulatory requirements. Ensures readiness for submissions and compliance with global standards.
Systems & Data Management: Utilizes CTMS and other clinical systems to track milestones, ensure data quality, and support decision-making. Partners with technical teams to maintain system integrity.
Leadership & Collaboration: Drives cross-functional teams toward shared goals. Builds consensus and fosters an inclusive, high-performing culture.
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving: Solves complex problems and makes timely, informed decisions that prioritize patient safety and data integrity.
Accountability & Results Focus: Owns outcomes, ensures quality, and delivers on time and within budget through proactive oversight.
Adaptability & Resilience: Responds effectively to change and manages conflict constructively while maintaining team morale.
Communication & Relationship Building: Communicates clearly across global teams and builds strong, trust-based relationships with diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience in managing CROs, preferred

Responsibilities

Leads collaboration with internal study teams and vendors to ensure clinical trial delivery meets established timelines, budgets, and quality benchmarks.
Provides strategic input on study feasibility and oversees operational activities of internal and external contributors.
Identifies and proactively manages risks, balancing trade-offs between cost, deliverables, and quality.
Manages scope of work (SOW) for CROs and Vendor Partners, ensuring alignment with contractual terms, budgetary targets, and quality standards.
Participates in vendor selection and evaluation processes.
Reviews, approves, and reconciles vendor invoices, accruals, and scope amendments.
Utilizes performance metrics and quality indicators to monitor and optimize trial execution.
Maintains and ensures accurate data records in study management systems such as Veeva (i.e. CTMS, eTMF, etc.)
Develops and enforces trial-specific standards aligned with broader portfolio strategies to promote operational consistency.
Leads development and execution of cross-functional and global best practices.
Establishes and maintains study-level project management tools, including action logs, decision trackers, issue registers, and risk mitigation plans.
Collaborates cross-functionally to ensure timely knowledge and information sharing.
Offers therapeutic and operational guidance on study protocols and execution strategies.
Provides consultation across programs/studies with a focus on risk mitigation and operational excellence.
Monitors trends in clinical operations and advises teams on proactive responses.
Drives upfront planning of study timelines and budgets in partnership with cross-functional teams.
Manages program-level vendor logistics and escalates resourcing needs appropriately.
Identifies and resolves issues impacting budget and timeline adherence.
Leads quarterly budget reviews, flagging anticipated variances for assigned trials and collaborating with Finance on forecasting.
Provides lifecycle leadership and oversight of assigned trial(s) from start-up to close-out phases.

Benefits

Medical, pharmacy, dental, and vision care.
BMS Well-Being Account, BMS Living Life Better, and Employee Assistance Programs (EAP).
401(k) plan, short- and long-term disability, life insurance, accident insurance, supplemental health insurance, business travel protection, personal liability protection, identity theft benefit, legal support, and survivor support.
Flexible time off (unlimited, with manager approval)
11 paid national holidays
160 hours annual paid vacation for new hires with manager approval
3 optional holidays
Unlimited paid sick time
Up to 2 paid volunteer days per year
Summer hours flexibility
Leaves of absence for medical, personal, parental, caregiver, bereavement, and military needs
Annual Global Shutdown between Christmas and New Years Day.