Associate Director ESP Quality

Company: Novartis
Apply for the Associate Director ESP Quality
Location: London
Job Description:

Overview

In this role, you will serve as the QA SME for technology-enabled third-party qualifications and governance in clinical trials. You’ll liaise with trial teams and external partners to ensure quality across DHTs, SaMD, SaaS and related processes within a rapidly evolving digital landscape. You will drive risk monitoring, audits, and escalation of critical issues, shaping compliant use of tech in trials. This position offers impact through cross-functional collaboration and a clear focus on data integrity and inspection readiness.

Pay / Benefits

  • flexible and hybrid working options
  • minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave
  • insurance plans
  • retirement plans
  • wellbeing resources
  • global recognition programs

Responsibilities

  • Lead QA support for third-party qualification and governance of tech-enabled solutions (DHT, SaMD, SaaS)
  • Identify and assess risks with new third parties for GxP and rapid ramp-up
  • Support trial-specific assessments to ensure tech fit-for-purpose per study design
  • Review and approve quality issues and escalate major/critical findings
  • Facilitate Quality with Technology discussions with third-party teams to improve collaboration
  • Act as QA representative for cross-functional Digital Technology initiatives
  • Participate in independent reviews of technology implementations for inspection readiness and data integrity
  • Ensure inspection readiness of outsourced activities and support HA inspections

Key requirements

  • Extensive experience in pharmaceutical development and strong knowledge of QMS, clinical operations, and vendor management
  • Bachelor’s degree in Life Sciences, Pharmacy or Medicine; MSc IT/Engineering/Scientific discipline or PhD preferred
  • Fluent English (spoken and written)
  • Working knowledge of GCP/GcLP, GVP, Medical Device regulations
  • Experience with clinical third-party management
  • Experience with computer system compliance and validation (SDLC) in pharma or digital health technology
  • Knowledge of GCP, ICH, FDA 21 CFR Part 11, FDA 21 CFR 820, ISO 13485
  • Experience implementing DHT/SaMD in clinical trials
  • Ability to navigate a matrixed, cross-functional organization
  • Strong interdisciplinary collaboration skills
  • Stakeholder management
  • Leadership
  • Organizational savvy
  • GCP/GcLP
  • GVP
  • Medical Device regulations

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Posted: November 1st, 2026