Study & Site Operations Country Manager - Saudi Arabia

About the role

The Study & Site Operations (SSO) Country Manager is based in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and is accountable for all country clinical operations activities covering the allocation, initiation, conduct (including patient recruitment and quality data collection) and timely completion of Phase I-IV clinical trials. The role implements the country clinical operations strategy while delivering portfolio, quality, budget and productivity objectives, within a highly matrixed global organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the country clinical operations strategy and execution across the clinical trial portfolio.
• Drive country participation in global development studies through feasibility, site selection, activation and recruitment strategies.
• Ensure delivery of study timelines, enrollment commitments, quality standards and budget targets.
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with investigators, study sites and external stakeholders.
• Foster a quality and compliance culture adhering to GCP, ICH, local regulations and Novartis standards.
• Lead, develop and coach clinical operations teams and build a high-performance culture.
• Collaborate with Medical, Portfolio, Start-up, Monitoring, QA and Global Development teams to optimise trial execution.
• Drive innovation, continuous improvement and patient-focused trial delivery.

Required profile

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences; advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum 8 years of clinical research experience in planning/executing and/or monitoring clinical trials.
• Minimum 4 years of people management experience.
• Demonstrated success leading teams and delivering complex clinical trial portfolios.
• Native or professional proficiency in Arabic, with excellent verbal and written communication skills.

Required skills

• Strong understanding of clinical trial operations, monitoring and drug development.
• Expert knowledge of GCP/ICH and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Negotiation, conflict resolution, strategic leadership, stakeholder management and influencing skills.

What we offer

• Flexible and hybrid working options, where possible.
• Insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programmes.
• Minimum of 14 weeks of paid parental leave.
• A performance-based bonus may be available, depending on performance parameters.