Director, Global Trial Lead - Princeton NJ

Company: Msccn
Location: Princeton
Posted on: April 1, 2026

Job Description:

Job Description ATTENTION MILITARY AFFILIATED JOB SEEKERS - Our organization works with partner companies to source qualified talent for their open roles. The following position is available to Veterans, Transitioning Military, National Guard and Reserve Members, Military Spouses, Wounded Warriors, and their Caregivers . If you have the required skill set, education requirements, and experience, please click the submit button and follow the next steps. Unless specifically stated otherwise, this role is "On-Site" at the location detailed in the job post. Position Summary The Director, Global Trial Lead (GTL) is accountable for the strategic leadership and operational excellence of global clinical trials, driving delivery across all phases and therapeutic areas. This role sets the vision for successful trial execution, influences organizational strategy, and ensures alignment with business objectives, regulatory standards, and quality benchmarks. As a senior leader within Global Development Operations (GDO), the Director GTL is responsible for critical decision making, risk management, and fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement. Works closely with internal and external stakeholders, identifying, defining and executing meaningful and targeted process improvement initiatives, supporting strategic planning efforts. The Director, GTL leads cross-functional study teams and study vendors to ensure successful study delivery. Collaborates and develops strategic partnerships internally within GDO, across R&D, Commercial, and other stakeholders to consistently foster innovation, maximize trial execution, and drive corporate growth strategy. This role may also lead global initiatives, mentor future leaders, and represent the organization in high-stakes internal and external forums. The Director, 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. Duties/Responsibilities Responsibilities involve a combination of execution and oversight, dependent on the sourcing model, to ensure deliverables and may include, but are not limited to, the following: Project Management Provides leadership and oversight for multiple, complex clinical trials and programs, ensuring delivery of high-quality data and regulatory compliance. Spearheads 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. Serves as a decision maker for complex issues, Identifies and proactively manages risks, balancing trade-offs between cost, deliverables, and quality, and timelines to achieve optimal outcomes. Manages the highest value study level budgets, contracts, and scope of work (SOW) for CROs and Vendor Partners. Participates in vendor selection and evaluation processes. Oversees vendor and partner relationships at a strategic level, ensuring alignment with contractual terms and organizational standards. Sets and monitors performance metrics, proactively identifying and resolving operational challenges. Utilizes 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.) Establishes and maintains study-level project management tools, including action logs, decision trackers, issue registers, and risk mitigation plans. Develops and enforces trial-specific standards aligned with broader portfolio strategies to promote operational consistency. Leads organizational change initiatives, drives development and execution of cross-functional and global best practices. Fosters robust cross-functional collaboration to ensure timely and effective sharing of knowledge and information. Champions breakthrough innovation, consistently seeking transformative solutions that surpass conventional approaches, always aiming for greater acceleration. Inspires a forward-looking vision that integrates therapeutic area, program, and asset perspectives, actively promoting the exchange of best practices and lessons learned to drive accelerated progress. Study Input & Strategic Guidance Defines and communicates the strategic direction for global clinical trial execution, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and portfolio priorities. 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. Mentors global GDO Study Team members within assigned therapeutic areas and others, as applicable. Supports building a pipeline of future leaders within Global Trial Management. Fosters an inclusive, high-performing team culture, promoting collaboration, accountability, and resilience. Champions a culture of critical thinking, innovation, and operational excellence. Leads by example, modeling ethical behavior, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning. Additional Qualifications/Responsibilities Qualifications Education/Experience/ Licenses/Certifications: Advanced degree (MS, PharmD, PhD, MD, or equivalent) preferred; BA/BS required. Minimum 10 years of experience in clinical operations and global project management roles in the pharmaceutical or healthcare industry, including multi-national experience. Experience in leading global clinical trials and programs at the Director level demonstrating strong knowledge of the study and program strategy. Experience leading global and multi-functional study teams. Experience in managing CROs and external partners at a strategic level preferred. Proficiency in AI tools and familiarity with technological advancements preferred. Specific Knowledge, Skills, Abilities Technical Competencies Global Trial & Project Management: Extensive experience in global clinical trial and project management, including strategic planning, execution, and oversight. 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: Advanced leadership competencies with identification and mitigation of risks to ensure trial continuity and overall delivery focusing on successful analysis for the trial. Maintains GCP/GXP compliance and supports audit readiness with a strong quality mindset. Stakeholder & Vendor Engagement Advanced leadership competencies and influencing skills with senior leaders and cross-functional leaders. Proven teambuilding skills and the ability to lead partnerships across projects and multidisciplinary teams. Demonstrates diplomacy and/or acts as primary point of escalation when interfacing with other functional areas, clinical research organizations (CROs) and other outside vendors. Builds strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Manages communications, escalations, and alignment across functions and geographies. Clinical & Regulatory Expertise Demonstrates deep 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. Supports AI-driven tools, technology advancement, automation and accelerating progress. Leadership Competencies Uses expert judgment to make sound decisions based on a balanced evaluation of available information within a complex environment of competing project priorities. Acts decisively to address team challenges with a high degree of autonomy. Accountability & Results Focus Owns outcomes, ensures quality, and delivers on time and within budget through proactive oversight. Princeton - NJ - US: $213,300 - $258,468

Keywords: Msccn, Paterson , Director, Global Trial Lead - Princeton NJ, Science, Research & Development , Princeton, New Jersey