Local Study Associate Director

The LSAD is responsible to ensure that sites are identified, site qualifications performed, set up, initiated, monitored, closed and documentation archived.

To lead Local Study Team(s) (LSTs) at country level to deliver committed components of clinical studies according to agreed resources, budget and timelines complying with AZ Procedural Documents, international guidelines such as ICH-GCP as well as relevant local regulations. In addition to leading LST(s), the Local Study Associate Director (LSAD) may perform site monitoring as needed to support the flexible capacity model.

**Responsibilities**
- Has the overall responsibility for the study commitments within the country and for timely delivery of data to required quality.
- Leads Local Study Team consisting of CRA(s), CSA(s), for assigned study/studies
- Leads and optimize the performance of the Local Study Team(s) at country level ensuring compliance with AZ Procedural Documents, ICH-GCP and local regulations.
- Ensures, as required, that clinical and operational feasibility assessment of potential studies is performed to the highest quality.
- Coordinates the site selection process by identifying potential sites/investigators, performing initial Site Quality Risk Assessment, and conducting Site Qualification Visits to evaluate suitability and quality risks.
- Ensures all country and site level trial essential documents required by ICH-GCP prior to study start have been collected and verified for correctness, prior to setting sites ready to enrol, and in line with AZ SOPs.
- Plans and coordinates applicable local drug activities (from local purchase or reimbursement to drug destruction).
- Sets up and maintains the study in CTMS at study country level as well as local websites as required by local laws and regulations.
- Oversees, manages and coordinates monitoring activities from site activation through to study closure at country and site level in accordance with the Monitoring Plans.
- Reviews monitoring visit reports (as required and following AZ SOPs) and pro-actively advices the monitor(s) on study related matters.
- Performs any required co-monitoring, Accompanied Site Visits/training visits with study CRAs.
- Proactively identifies risks and facilitates resolution of complex study problems and issues.
- Develops, maintains and reviews risk management plan on country study level proactively manages sites, stakeholders, local and global vendors and customers to ensure risks are timely identified, mitigated and managed.
- Communicates and co-ordinates regularly with National Co-ordinating Investigator / National Lead Investigator on recruitment and other study matters, if applicable.

**Requirements**:

- Bachelor degree in related discipline, preferably in life science, or equivalent qualification (*).
- Minimum 3 years of experience in Development Operations **(CRA, SrCRA**) in AstraZeneca
- Good knowledge of international guidelines ICH-GCP as well as relevant local regulations.
- Proven ability to lead and motivate cross-functional teams to deliver clinical trials according to or ahead of time plan, budget and with required quality.
- Excellent project management skills.
- Excellent team building and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent organisational skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Excellent ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks.
- Excellent attention to details.
- Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English.
- Good negotiation skills.
- Good ability to learn and to adapt to work with IT systems.
- Ability to travel nationally and internationally as required.