Trial Vendor Senior Manager

Job Description Summary

When we put our heads together, we can do brilliant work. And when we do brilliant work, we can achieve remarkable things for patients as we positively transform healthcare.

We are currently looking for a Trial Vendor Senior Manager to join our team in London.

This is a hybrid position with 12 days a month from our White City offices.

The main purpose of this position is to be accountable for all vendor related operational trial deliverables, according to timelines, budget, operational procedures, quality/compliance and performance standards. To collaborate with the VSM for the VSM’s category specific responsibilities and be responsible for all activities for which no VSM is assigned with, and for all of the service deliveries after Study Start-up when the VSM is no longer assigned to the study.

As a Core member of the Clinical Trial Team (CTT) you will independently managing all vendor-related aspects of global clinical trial(s) to deliver study outcomes within schedule, budget, quality/compliance and performance standards, you will be accountable for vendor service delivery at study level and collaborate closely with the Vendor Start-up Manager (VSM) for selected services (central labs, electronic clinical outcomes assessment/electronic patient reported outcomes (eCOA/ePRO), interactive response technology (IRT), cardiac and respiratory diagnostics, patient recruitment and retention (PR&R), and imaging reading) during study start-up and leverage your technical and study start-up (SSU) expertise to ensure a timely study start-up. You will proactively manage vendor-related risks and potential issues and implement global vendor strategy.

Job Description

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate closely with the study team lead and members throughout the study lifecycle.
• Review vendor-related protocol sections during protocol development.
• Drive or support the development and completion of Study Specification Worksheet (SSW) to facilitate vendor bid processes.
• Manage vendor interfaces in cooperation with partner functions, including quote reviews and contract negotiations.
• Oversee vendor cost control, budget reviews, invoice reconciliation, and purchase order (PO) close-out.
• Ensure vendor service excellence at the study level, meeting quality and service standards.
• Optimize study start-up processes and manage central vendor-related activities (e.g., site activation, supply tracking).
• Monitor vendor risk and performance using tools such as FIRST, Unified Vendor Portal (UVP), and Clinical Insights, implementing corrective actions as needed.

Essential Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; advanced degree preferred.
• Fluency in English (oral and written).
• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in clinical operations and vendor management processes.
• Strong knowledge of GxP and ICH regulations, clinical trial design, and supplier service specifications.
• Proficiency in vendor management, contracting, and site-related collaborations, including UAT for eCOA and IRT systems.
• Results-driven with proven ability to complete projects within timelines.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication skills in a matrixed environment.
• Demonstrated networking abilities, team collaboration, and decision-making capabilities.

Why Novartis? Our purpose is to reimagine medicine to improve and extend people’s lives and our vision is to become the most valued and trusted medicines company in the world. How can we achieve this? With our people. It is our associates that drive us each day to reach our ambitions. Be a part of this mission and join us! Learn more here: https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture 

You’ll receive: You can find everything you need to know about our benefits and rewards in the Novartis Life Handbook. https://www.novartis.com/careers/benefits-rewards Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Clinical Trials, Negotiation Skills, Process Improvement, Project Planning, Vendor Management, Waterfall Model