Associate Director, Study Site Engagement (Oncology)

At Takeda, we are transforming the pharmaceutical industry through our R&D-driven market leadership and being a values-led company. To do this, we empower our people to work towards their potential through life-changing work. Certified as a Global Top Employer, we offer stimulating careers, and work toward excellence in everything we do. We foster an inclusive, collaborative workplace, in which our global teams are united by an unwavering commitment to provide Better Health and a Brighter Future to people around the world.

Here, you will be a necessary contributor to our inspiring, bold mission.

GOALS:

• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement is the local face of Takeda by contributing to an effective partnership between Takeda study teams, study sites and the Clinical Research Organization (CRO) (i.e., the Clinical Research Associate (CRA)). The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement establishes communication with regional/country Medical Affairs (MA), provides updates on study/site status, and establishes site engagement study specific strategies.
• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement supports study teams with trial operations from Feasibility through CSR within the assigned region or countries across Takeda therapeutic areas.
• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement, enhances engagement and offers added value by providing guidance and sharing knowledge with study sites, while establishing and nurturing long-term relationships with investigators and study site personnel. The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement supports country and site identification, feasibility, site selection, study recruitment strategies, and mitigates barriers at the direction of Clinical Programs. 
• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement supports Takeda study teams as part of their day-to-day responsibilities and may act as an SSE-Program Lead (SSE-PL) and/or SSE-Study Lead (SSE-SL).

ACCOUNTABILITIES:

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Early engagement - Country and site feasibility:

• Supports the SSE Program Lead (SSE-PL)/SSE Study Lead (SSE-SL) with the development of study site list for feasibility - site selection and aids in tracking feasibility progress and escalations for SSE/LOC support.
• Reports any discrepancy on feasibility progress to SSE-PL/SSE-SL
• Liaises with SSE-PL/SSE-SL, MA, local Clinical Operations team (if available) and CRO staff for site identification and feasibility support in alignment with global study team.
• Attends Pre-Study Visit (PSV) as requested or agreed upon with the SSE-SL.
• Helps to follow up with country MA, local Clinical Operations team and keep track of country and site selection activities.

Study startup phase - Post site selection to site initiation

• Supports the SSE-PL/SSE-SL in tracking start-up hurdles escalated to the team and their resolution to ensure Site Initiation Visits (SIVs) and site activations are achieved as planned.
• Attends and/or supports SIVs.
• Helps SSE-PL/SSE-SL in tracking resolution of any follow-up item needed post SIV until resolved by site and or CRO/Takeda study team.
• As invited, attends Investigator Meetings (in the region) and liaises with sites / CRO.

Enrollment and study conduct phase

• Supports recruitment strategy and activities when targets are not met (e.g. utilization of PR&R materials, booster visits, phone contacts).
• Interacts closely with local CRO team throughout the lifecycle of the study.
• Helps coordinate and/or attend booster visits or other activities requested by SSE-PL/SSE-SL.
• Regularly interacts with priority sites in assigned trials.

Training:

• Applicable local regulations
• SOP trainings (Takeda and CRO, as applicable)
• TA/Study specific training

People Management:

• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement, may be responsible for resource and talent management of Sr. Managers and/or Managers, SSE (as applicable) across relevant regional/country clusters to achieve site engagement deliverables and GDO objectives.

Cross-functional role:

• Establishes communication and regular interactions with regional/country Medical Affairs (MA) and provides updates on planned and ongoing global clinical studies, with a focus on country landscaping, upcoming feasibilities, study status and enrollment updates, specific site issues and HCPs contacted in the region/country.

SSE Program Lead and/or SSE Study Lead for assigned programs:

• The Associate Director of Study Site Engagement plays a key role in shaping the global Site Engagement Strategy for the assigned trial, adapting it as necessary to meet specific requirements of each country.
• Attends program and study level meetings, as applicable, and provides relevant updates to SSE team members. Attends kick-off meetings, investigator meetings (in region)

Development of Strategic Site Relationships:

• The Associate Director, Study Site Engagement, may be responsible for developing and maintaining long-term strategic relationships with selected sites/site networks to improve the site and Takeda experience.

Conferences, Congresses, Other Site Facing Events:

• The Associate Director of Study Site Engagement may be tasked with developing and executing the SSE strategy for non-study specific activities within their designated Therapeutic Area (TA) or Country.
• Through participation in conferences or congresses, the Associate Director of Study Site Engagement utilizes these key site-facing events to connect with sites beyond their physical locations. This role involves engaging with new clinical trial investigators or those unfamiliar with Takeda, thereby promoting support for the advancement of our pipeline.​

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education

• Scientific degree (MD, PhD, MA/MS, BA/BS) in pharmaceutical science, chemistry, biology, medical/healthcare is preferred but not mandatory.

Experience

• 10+ years of of experience in clinical research, either with a CRO or a pharmaceutical company, focusing on clinical trials. The total cumulative work experience of the candidate may also be taken into consideration.
• This position will primarily cover the Oncology therapeutic area, although this focus may evolve over time.  As such, previous experience with Oncology clinical trials is highly desirable

Essential qualifications:

• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Work cross-functional globally
• Global and cross boundary communication
• Business Acumen
• Organization and planning
• Time management
• Emotional intelligence
• Problem solving
• Relationship Management & Influencing skills
• Fluent in spoken & written English
• Flexibility
• Decision making

Knowledge:

• Clinical trials processes
• Clinical trials regulations as per regional/country requirements
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of ICH-GCP
• Healthcare industry knowledge preferred
• Outsourcing/CRO knowledgebase
• Common computer programs and databases (such as MS Office)

The estimated salary range reflects an anticipated range for this position. The actual base salary offered may depend on a variety of factors, including the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, specific and unique skills, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, and the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.The actual base salary offered will be in accordance with state or local minimum wage requirements for the job location.

U.S. based employees may be eligible for short-term and/or long-termincentives. U.S.based employees may be eligible to participate in medical, dental, vision insurance, a 401(k) plan and company match, short-term and long-term disability coverage, basic life insurance, a tuition reimbursement program, paid volunteer time off, company holidays, and well-being benefits, among others. U.S.based employees are also eligible to receive, per calendar year, up to 80 hours of sick time, and new hires are eligible to accrue up to 120 hours of paid vacation.