Clinical Operations Country Head France

Summary This role is based in Rueil Malmaison, France. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support for this role: please only apply if this location is accessible for you.

About The Role

The Clinical Operations Country Head owns all country Study & Site Operations for Phase I–IV trials, ensuring timely, high quality execution within budget and productivity targets, in line with the Study & Site Operations archetype, Hub/Country strategy, and regulatory standards. He/She builds a high performing, standardized team and integrates Study & Site Operations within Country CSO and Medical to align on portfolio strategy, prioritization, and performance for GDD (Global Drug Development) trial delivery; may also act as GDD Country Coordinator if applicable.

Key Responsibilities

• Trial monitoring strategy: Sets and leads the country Study & Site Operations strategy in alignment with global, hub, and local medical objectives to ensure effective and high‑quality trial delivery.
• Allocation, initiation and conduct of trials: Oversees country feasibility, trial allocation, site activation, enrolment, timelines, and resources to ensure successful execution of global development trials.
• Delivery of quality data and compliance: Ensures compliance with GCP, regulatory, and SOP requirements by overseeing data quality, inspections, audits, and continuous quality improvement.
• People and resource management: Leads, develops, and manages Clinical Operations teams and resources to build a high‑performing organization aligned with country and hub priorities.
• Budget and productivity: Owns country Clinical Operations budget, headcount, and productivity targets, ensuring efficient delivery against agreed performance goals.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in clinical research – planning/executing and/or monitoring clinical trials with minimum 4 years in a people management role.
• Expert understanding of all aspects of clinical drug development and international aspects of drug development process and standards (GCP/ICH), international health authorities (FDA/EMA), local/National Health Authorities regulations and Novartis standards.
• Demonstrates strong strategic leadership and matrix management capabilities, with a proven track record of leading high‑performing teams and delivering effective site, financial, and operational outcomes through strong negotiation and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrates strong negotiation and conflict‑resolution capabilities, excellent interpersonal and networking skills, and the ability to communicate and present effectively—both orally and in writing—to senior leaders.

Desirable Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in life sciences required; Advanced Degree in scientific or business preferred.
• Fluent in both written and spoken English and French.

Benefits and Rewards

• Salary range: 117 520€ - 176 280€
• An annual bonus
• A focus on your career development
• Access to our Quality of Life at work program
• Flexible working
• Advanced social coverage for you and your loved ones
• 27 days of paid leave & 14 days of RTT per year
• Various employee recognition programs

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients’ lives. Ready to create a brighter future together?

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