Job Description

Local Trial Manager

Location: Gauteng, South Africa

Contract: Permanent

Janssen Research & Development, LLC, a member of Johnson & Johnson's Family of Companies, is recruiting for a Specialist Local Trial Manager, located South Africa, supporting the Neuroscience, Oncology, Infectious Disease & Vaccines, Pulmonary Hypertension and Immunology Therapeutic Areas.

At the Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson, what matters most is helping people live full and healthy lives. We focus on treating, curing and preventing some of the most devastating and complex diseases of our time. And we pursue the most promising science, wherever it might be found. Janssen Research & Development, LLC discovers and develops innovative medical solutions to address important unmet medical needs in oncology, immunology, neuroscience, infectious diseases and vaccines, cardiovascular and metabolism, and pulmonary hypertension. Please visit http://www.janssenrnd.com for more information.

The Local Trial Manager (LTM II) is responsible for local management of a clinical trial in a country or multiple countries in Africa. The LTM is the primary point of contact at a country level for assigned studies and has operational oversight of assigned protocol(s) from start-up through to database lock and closeout activities as described in GCO procedural documents. The role is responsible for coordinating and leading the local trial team to deliver quality data and trial documents/records that are aligned with the assigned clinical trial protocol, company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and regulatory requirements.

The LTM II will also have site management responsibilities, which include and is not limited to; performing site selection, pre-trial assessment, subject recruitment and retention planning, site initiation, on-site and remote monitoring and close-out activities. The LTM II will be expected to travel to trial sites, as applicable.
Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with Functional Manager (FM)/Clinical Research Manager (CRM) for country protocol feasibility (if applicable) and site feasibility assessment in conjunction with CTA (if applicable), SM and CTM/GTL. Implements any local criteria for site selection. Ensure consistent conduct of pre-trial assessment visits and instruct teams on appropriate follow-up of pre-trial visit report and country feasibility report. Recommends suitable sites for selection to participate in trial.
• Collaborates with the Global Product Lead (GPL), CTM/GTL, local management/Country Head and other study team member to select final site list.
• Contributes input to the study management documents or initiates development of these documents for a single country trial, as per SOPs
• Leads and coordinates local trial team activities in compliance with SOPs, other procedural documents and applicable regulations. Leads local project planning activities to meet recruitment targets and to deliver high quality data on time and within study budget. Including but not limited to: development of local trial specific procedures and tools, recruitment planning, contingency and risk management, and budget forecasting.
• Ensures that all Adverse Events (AE) /Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)/Product Quality Complaints (PQCs) are reported within the required reporting timelines and documented as appropriate.
• Maintains and updates trial management systems. Uses study tools and management reports available to analyse trial progress.
• Monitors country progress and initiates corrective and preventive actions (CAPA) when the trial deviates from plans and communicates study progress and issues to study management teams.
• May submit requests for vendor services and may support vendor selection.
• In certain situations, may assist in negotiation of trial site contracts and budgets. Forecasts and manages country/local trial budget to ensure accurate finance reporting and trial delivered -within budget. Adheres to finance reporting deliverables and timelines.
• Attends/participates in Investigator Meetings as needed. May schedule and conduct a local/country investigator meeting
• Conducts local trial team meetings and provides or facilitates SM training when needed (i.e. implementation of study amendment-and changes in study related processes).
• Reviews and approves Monitoring Visit Reports submitted by SM; identifies issues and/or trends across a trial project and escalates deviation issues to the CTM/GTL and FM as needed
• Reviews and approves site and local vendor invoices as required. Manages local study supply, as required.
• Prepares country specific informed consent in accordance with procedural document/templates. Reviews and manages site specific informed consent forms in accordance with SOPs, other procedural documents and applicable regulations.
• Organizes and ensures IEC/HA approvals, if applicable, and ensure that the trial is in compliance with local regulatory requirements
• Works with SM to ensure CAPA is implemented for audits and inspection or any quality related visits
• Aligns with relevant training requirements.
• Acts as subject matter expert for assigned protocols. Develops strong therapeutic knowledge to support roles and responsibilities. May represent GCO on cross functional teams.
• Acts as primary local/country contact for a trial. Establishes and maintains excellent working relationships with external stakeholders, in particular investigators, study trial coordinators and other site staff; and internal partners, including Medical Affairs and Marketing for Medical Affairs trials.
• Actively contributes to process improvement, training and mentoring of CTAs, SM and other LTMs.
• Conducts accompanied site visits with SM as delegated by FM.
• May assumes additional responsibilities or special initiatives such as "Champion" or "Subject Matter Expert".
• Responsible for performing activities within site initiation and start-up, preparation and conduct of site monitoring (including remote monitoring), site management (by study specific systems and other reports/dashboards) and site/study close-out according to SOPs, Work Instructions (WIs) and policies. Responsible for the implementation of the applicable monitoring model at the site level and to work with site to ensure timely resolution of issues found during monitoring visits.
• Maintains complete, accurate and timely data and essential documents in relevant systems used for trial management.
• Fully documents trial related activities, in particular monitoring. Writes visit reports and follow-up letter in accordance with the SOPs. Promptly communicates relevant status information and issues to appropriate stakeholders.
• Reviews study files for completeness and ensures archiving retention requirements are met, including storage in a secure area at all times.
• May represents functional area in process initiatives as required

Qualifications

• A minimum of a BA or BS degree in Life Sciences, Nursing or related scientific field (or equivalent experience) is required!
• Minimum two to four years of clinical trial experience in Pharma/ CRO including onsite site monitoring experience. Other relevant experiences and skills may be considered by the hiring manager.
• Neuroscience, Oncology, Infectious Disease & Vaccine, Pulmonary Hypertension and/or Immunology therapeutic area experience preferred.
• Proven understanding of the drug development process including GCP and local regulatory requirements.
• Solid leadership skills.
• Solid communication and digital literacy required. Proficient in speaking and writing the country language and English language. Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Some experience in mentoring/coaching and providing training to other LTMs, SMs and CTAs preferred. The ability to lead initiative/small teams.
• Flexible mindset and ability to work in a fast-changing environment on multiple trials in parallel.
• Business travel (meetings, training, on-site monitoring visits etc.) is required.

For more than 130 years, diversity, equity & inclusion (DEI) have been part of our cultural fabric at Johnson & Johnson and woven into how we do business every day. Our commitment to respect the dignity and diversity of all is embedded in our Credo. We know that the success of our business depends on having the best talent in a workforce that reflects the diverse markets we serve around the world and an inclusive culture that values different perspectives and life experiences. That is why we in South Africa are working to create an inclusive environment where diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences are valued and each and every one of our people feels that they belong and can reach their potential. No matter who they are. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Johnson & Johnson means "You Belong"! When appointing potential candidates in South Africa, the Employment Equity and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Legislation will be considered.

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