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Study Start Up Senior Lead

Novartis
Novartis
6+ years
Not Disclosed
Hyderabad
10 April 24, 2026
Job Description
Job Type: Full Time Education: B.Sc./ M.Sc./ M.Pharm/ B.Pharm/ Life Sciences Skills: Causality Assessment, Clinical SAS Programming, Communication Skills, CPC Certified, GCP guidelines, ICD-10 CM Codes, CPT-Codes, HCPCS Codes, ICD-10 CM, CPT, HCPCS Coding, ICH guidelines, ICSR Case Processing, Interpersonal Skill, Labelling Assessment

Study Start-Up Senior Lead
Company: Novartis
Location: Hyderabad, India (Office-based)
Job Type: Full-time | Permanent
Experience Required: Minimum 6+ years in clinical operations / study start-up / project management (global clinical trials experience required)


Job Overview

Novartis is seeking an experienced Study Start-Up Senior Lead to independently lead global study start-up activities across multiple complex clinical trials. This role is responsible for driving end-to-end study activation strategy, ensuring timely site initiation, regulatory submissions, and readiness for patient enrollment across global regions.

The position plays a critical leadership role within clinical trial operations, coordinating cross-functional teams and ensuring all study start-up deliverables meet regulatory, quality, and timeline expectations.


Key Responsibilities

Global Study Start-Up Leadership

  • Lead planning and execution of global study start-up (SSU) activities for medium to highly complex clinical trials

  • Develop and execute study start-up strategy aligned with operational execution plans (OEP)

  • Ensure timely completion of all SSU milestones from trial initiation to site activation

  • Configure SSU systems including CTMS, eTMF, vendor tools, and enrollment tracking systems

Regulatory & Site Activation Management

  • Oversee preparation and submission of regulatory and ethics documentation (HA/IRB/IEC)

  • Ensure readiness of informed consent forms, protocol documents, and submission packages

  • Drive country-level site activation and ensure alignment with global timelines

  • Manage trial master file (TMF) readiness and inspection preparedness

Cross-Functional Coordination

  • Lead SSU sub-teams across multiple countries including regulatory, vendor management, contracts, translations, and clinical supplies

  • Collaborate with clinical trial teams, global clinical supply, and vendor partners

  • Ensure alignment between SSU strategy and global clinical development plans

Vendor & Budget Oversight

  • Oversee vendor activation and ensure timely delivery of SSU-related services

  • Manage investigator grants, site budgets, and contract readiness in alignment with trial timelines

  • Monitor and control SSU-related financial and operational processes

Risk & Quality Management

  • Identify risks impacting study start-up timelines and implement corrective actions

  • Ensure compliance with global regulatory standards and internal SOPs

  • Maintain high-quality execution across all SSU deliverables

Team Leadership & Coaching

  • Lead and mentor country-level study start-up managers

  • Provide guidance on systems, processes, and regulatory requirements

  • Drive performance across a large, multi-country matrix team


Required Skills & Competencies

  • Strong expertise in clinical trial study start-up and clinical operations

  • Deep understanding of global regulatory submissions (IRB/IEC/HA processes)

  • Experience working with CTMS, eTMF, and clinical trial systems

  • Strong project management and cross-functional leadership skills

  • Ability to manage large, distributed, and matrixed teams

  • Knowledge of clinical trial budgeting, contracts, and vendor management

  • Strong communication, planning, and organizational skills


Educational Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy, Medicine, or related scientific discipline is required

  • Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) is preferred


Experience Requirements

  • Minimum 6+ years of experience in clinical operations or project management

  • At least 3 years of hands-on experience in clinical trial execution and planning in a global pharmaceutical or CRO environment

  • Proven experience leading study start-up or clinical trial activation activities

  • Experience working in large, complex, global matrix organizations is required


Key Focus Areas

  • Clinical Study Start-Up (SSU) Strategy

  • Regulatory & Ethics Submissions

  • Site Activation & Trial Readiness

  • Vendor & Budget Management

  • Clinical Trial Operations Leadership

  • Global Project Coordination


About the Organization

Novartis is a global leader in innovative medicines, dedicated to transforming clinical research and drug development. The organization focuses on accelerating clinical trial execution through advanced processes, digital systems, and globally integrated operational excellence.