Director / Senior Manager, Pharmacy - Clinical Research Unit, Madison, WI

Overview

Fortrea is a leading early phase research organization delivering first-in-human and early development studies globally. The Madison, WI Clinical Research Unit combines clinic and cGMP pharmacy under one roof, offering a modern, integrated environment supported by experienced teams and strong academic partnerships.

About the Role

This role exists to lead the pharmacy function that prepares and delivers investigational medicinal products (IMP) during live clinical trials. It is a full-time, on-site position in Madison, WI.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high-performing team
• Manage Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians with clear expectations and standards
• Recruit, onboard, and develop talent as the function grows
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence
• Own pharmacy operations for Phase I studies
• Plan and oversee daily operations supporting active trials
• Ensure readiness for early morning dosing and fast-paced execution
• Maintain control and consistency in a dynamic environment
• Provide hands-on production leadership
• Apply and expand expertise in clean room pharmacy operations
• Step into operations as needed to support continuity
• Lead from the front during complex or time-critical activities
• Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance
• Own compliance in GMP-aligned, regulated environments
• Oversee clean room standards, equipment, and environmental controls
• Support inspections and audits in collaboration with Quality teams
• Enable safe first-in-human delivery
• Ensure accurate preparation of investigational products
• Support teams operating at the highest level of clinical risk
• Make decisions that directly impact participant safety

Requirements

Education & Licensing:

• Registered Pharmacist (PharmD) with active state license
• Consideration for a Pharmacist with strong management/leadership experience, even if coming from non-clinical research settings, provided there is transferable operational expertise

Leadership & Industry Experience

• Demonstrated experience leading, developing, and managing teams
• Background in regulated pharmacy, healthcare, or production environments
• Ability to scale operations and lead through growth

Operations & Clean Room Expertise

• Experience in clean room or controlled production environments (hospital, infusion, institutional, or research)
• Strong understanding of sterile handling, contamination control, and operational discipline
• Ability to operate in highly regulated, quality-driven environments
• Preferred Experience with USP and USP standards
• Clean room / sterile compounding background
• GMP and/or clinical research (Phase I) experience

Why Join Fortrea?

If you want to apply your leadership at the point where new medicines first reach humans, this is your opportunity to make a meaningful impact every single day. Work Environment: Laboratory and/or clinical environment with exposure to electrical office equipment. Occasional drives to site locations, occasional domestic travel. Exposure to biological fluids. Personal protective equipment required such as protective eyewear, garments and gloves. Physical Requirements: Ability to work in an upright and/or stationary position for 6-8 hours per day. Repetitive hand movement of both hands with the ability to make fast, simple, repeated movements of the fingers, hands, and wrists to operate lab equipment. Occasional crouching, stooping, with frequent bending and twisting of upper body and neck. Ability to access and use a variety of computer software developed both in-house and off-the-shelf. Light to moderate lifting and carrying (or otherwise moves) objects including luggage and laptop computer with a maximum lift of 15-20 lbs. Regular and consistent attendance. Varied hours may be required.