Sr Manager, Clinical Operations

Clinical Operations Manager (North)

Shape the future of clinical research across the North of England in this full-time, field-based role, leading a team that brings life-changing treatments to patients.

Your new role

As Clinical Operations Manager (North) within our Clinical Development Centre (CDC) UK, you'll lead a regional team of Clinical Research Associates covering Scotland, Northern Ireland, North Wales and the North of England, including Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle (does not include Leeds). This role puts you at the intersection of strategic leadership and operational excellence—balancing trial delivery with relationship building, compliance with innovation, and team development with stakeholder collaboration across a vibrant network of northern research sites.  Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing strategic leadership to the Regional CRA Team, aligning with CDC objectives, driving operational excellence across multiple therapy areas and driving a risk-based quality management mindset.
• Overseeing the development, implementation and delivery of clinical trials at sites across the UK, ensuring full compliance with ICH GCP, regulatory requirements and ABPI Code of Practice.
• Acting as the key relationship owner for long-term partnerships with investigators, site governance teams, NIHR and other clinical research networks.
• Leading data-driven resource planning across the CRA team, balancing efficiency with quality while considering therapy area knowledge and site relationships.
• Supporting your team to develop site tactical plans and monitoring strategies, using accompanied site visits and available data reporting tools to ensure trial delivery meets all milestones.
• Conducting research pipeline and planning visits to existing and potential sites, collaborating with start-up, therapy area and clinical medical teams to expand our research network.
• Contributing to CDC UK strategy as part of the extended Leadership Team, creating realistic goals and inspiring your team to reach their full potential.

Your new department

Clinical Development Centre UK is at the forefront of bringing innovative treatments to patients. Our team works across multiple therapy areas, partnering with leading research sites and investigators throughout the UK. We foster a culture of risk-based quality management and continuous improvement, ensuring that every trial we deliver meets the highest standards while advancing medical science.

Your skills & qualifications

We're looking for an experienced clinical research leader who thrives in complex, matrix environments and can inspire teams to achieve excellence. You'll bring with you:

• A life science degree or equivalent, with post-graduate qualification in research being desirable.
• Extensive experience in clinical research management, with a proven track record of leading successful clinical trials and CRA teams.
• Strong leadership competencies including the ability to coach, motivate and develop talent while conducting regular talent discussions and executing robust succession plans.
• Excellent knowledge of UK and European clinical trial regulations, ICH-GCP requirements, clinical trial methodology and drug development processes.
• Outstanding stakeholder engagement skills, with experience building and maintaining networks of clinical research sites, investigators and NHS research governance teams.
• The ability to work effectively in an international matrix organisation, balancing multiple priorities and adapting quickly to new situations in a continuously developing environment.
• Strong analytical capabilities with attention to detail, including experience using data reporting tools and managing complex organizational tasks.
• Fluency in written and spoken English, with excellent presentation and facilitation skills.

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

Deadline: 26 May 2026 - Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.