Franchise Clinical Operations Development Lead (CODL)

About the role

Join us as we transform immunology and deliver medicines that help autoimmune patients get their lives back. argenx is preparing for multi-dimensional expansion to reach more patients through a rich pipeline of differentiated assets, led by VYVGART, our first-in-class neonatal Fc receptor blocker approved for the treatment of gMG, and with the potential to treat patients across dozens of severe autoimmune diseases. We are building a new kind of biotech company, one that maintains its roots as a science-based start-up and pushes our commitment to innovate across all corners of our business.

The Franchise Clinical Operations Development Lead (CODL) is responsible for the strategizing, planning, leading and execution of the operational path for all indications within a franchise from first in human studies through authorization and commercialization. The franchise may involve several assets and/or may cover specific development phases across all assets/indications (teams specifically focusing on phase I or phase IV trials). The Franchise CODL functions as the line manager for all the Clinical Operations Development Leads (CODLs) assigned to indications within the specific franchise or development phase specific teams. The Franchise CODL will function as a clinical strategic operational voice for the franchise, both internally and externally.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the CODLs who provide strategic input and are accountable for all clinical related aspects within the assigned therapeutic indication/program, in line with the agreed timelines, budget and quality standards and as outlined in the applicable Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) and Work Instructions (WIs).
• Oversee the Clinical Development Plan (CDP) creation for all indications within the franchise. The CDP is co-created by the CODL and the Medical Development Lead (MDL), with support from the Project Manager (PM) and other Clinical Development Team (CDT) representatives. The indication CDP describes the clinical development strategy, includes effective and, where possible, innovative trial designs and is consistent with the TPP. The CDP is endorsed by the Asset Strategy Team (AST) and the Development Management Committee (DMC) and is executed within agreed timelines and budget.
• Temporarily take on the role of a CODL for an indication within the franchise.
• Act as senior point of contact for all clinical related activities for a given Franchise across asset indications. Collaborate with the asset teams as applicable.
• Focus on risks and mitigations on the franchise level. Ensure that the Global Head of Trial Operations is informed in case an identified issue/risk could have an impact on/may also occur in, the other therapeutic indications/programs/franchises. Involve the X-indication CODL, AST and PM as needed.
• Operationalize knowhow and synergies at the franchise level, ensure knowhow is shared with different indication teams.
• Ensure optimal implementation of lessons learnt within and across the franchises.
• Provide input to the relevant Objectives, Goals, Strategies and Measures (OGSMs), and ensure that clinical trials are executed according to the CDPs and those OGSMs, following the argenx procedures and processes and conducted in compliance with ICH-GCP and other applicable legislation.
• Participate in the Clinical Research Organization (CRO) and vendor selection and management process as needed. Support CDTs and Clinical Trial Teams (CTTs) with issue resolution where required in collaboration with the CODL and alliance vendor manager, if relevant.
• Act as a point of escalation for resolution of trial management and operational issues within the franchise indications.
• Review and provide input to the overarching clinical program/indication documents such as Investigator Brochure (IB), Pediatric Investigation Plan (PIP), FDA/PMDA/EMA and other regulatory critical documents.
• Oversee the indication and clinical trial budgets and timelines in collaboration with the CODLs and the Clinical Trial Managers (CTMs).
• Oversee the resource requirements for Trial Operations within the franchise and ensure the needed resources are onboarded timely and efficiently.
• Oversee audit/inspection readiness of the assigned program/trials. Support audits and inspections.
• Support continuous improvement processes and consistency. Collaborate with the knowledge hubs within the Trial Ops team.
• Set expectations, communicate in a transparent, clear way and energize and motivate the CODLs and the CTMs to work towards achieving the clinical goals in line with the OGSM and argenx’s cultural pillars.
• Act as line manager for the CODLs and leader within the Trial Ops team:
  • Interviewing candidates
  • On-boarding
  • Ensuring that assigned staff are trained
  • Goal setting and review
  • Mentoring and enabling the growth and development of assigned staff
• Support TrialOps and Global Company initiatives as applicable.
• Collaborate on the franchise level with stakeholders outside of Clinical and R&D, e.g., Corporate Development, Science, Patient Advocacy Group (PAG), Medical Affairs and others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or University degree – medical or para-medical (Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy, Veterinary etc.) or equivalent by experience. PhD degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 15 years of leading experience in Clinical Development (monitoring, local and global/international trial management).
• Experience in working in an outsourced model, including overseeing CROs and vendors.
• Strategy as well as execution for clinical development.
• Change and risk management.
• Budget financial acumen.
• Rare disease and/or auto-immune clinical trial background relevant to the franchise.

Skills

• Proven track record in relevant leadership positions, including line management, within Clinical Operations in the pharmaceutical/biotech industries.
• Proven knowledge of planning and execution of clinical development plans and clinical trials.
• Experience in building and leading a team with a variety of skill sets.
• Ability to build bridges between people, functions and regions.
• Pro-active problem solver - demonstrated ability to identify and resolve issues, identify and mitigate risks, able to handle conflicts.
• Strong organizational skills, able to manage multiple and varied tasks and prioritize workload with attention to the holistic/helicopter view but also able to dive into the details when needed.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, acting globally in a culturally diverse dynamic team.
• Strong verbal and written English communication skills (primary fluency or full professional proficiency).
• Thorough knowledge of ICH GCP guidelines and other applicable regulatory requirements and guidelines.

Pay

For applicants in the United States: The annual base salary hiring range for this position is $268,000.00 - $368,500.00 USD. This range reflects our good faith estimate at the time of posting. Individual compensation is determined using objective, inclusive, and job-related criteria such as relevant experience, skills, demonstrated competencies and internal equity. This means actual pay may differ from the posted range when justified by these factors. Because market conditions evolve, pay ranges are reviewed regularly and may be adjusted to remain aligned with external benchmarks.

This job is eligible to participate in our short-term and long-term incentive programs, subject to the terms and conditions of those plans and applicable policies. It also includes a comprehensive benefits package, including but not limited to retirement savings plans, health benefits and other benefits subject to the terms of the applicable plans and program guidelines.