COM Lead

Job Description

Clinical Operations Manager (COM) Lead

This role is accountable for execution and oversight of local operational clinical trial activities in compliance with ICH/GCP and country regulations, companies' policies and procedures and with quality standards internally and externally.

The person has ownership, oversight, and impact on local regulatory and financial compliance and for out-tasking as applicable. Under the oversight of the CRD, or Head of Country Operations, the person is responsible to manage/oversee a team of COMs and/or CTCs.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Has significant impact on how a country can deliver country-specific trial commitments and objectives especially during study start-up:

FINANCIAL:

• Ownership of country and site budgets. Development, negotiation, and completion of Clinical Trial Research Agreements (CTRA).

• Interacts successfully with local clinical team/s to deliver clinical and financial contracts within fair market value. Oversight and tracking of clinical research-related payments. Payment reconciliation at study close-out. Oversight of FCPA, Denied Parties Screening and maintenance of financial systems. Financial forecasting and tracking of operational budget in conjunction with CRD is an option that can vary per country.

COUNTRY SUBMISSIONS & LOCAL LANGUAGE MATERIALS:

• Responsible for execution and oversight of clinical trial country submissions and approvals for assigned protocols, development of local language materials including local language Informed Consents and translations.

• Works in partnership with IRB/IEC and Regulatory Authority in submission and approval- related interactions for assigned protocols.

MANAGEMENT & QUALITY OVERSIGHT:

• Responsible for managing country deliverables, timelines and results in assigned protocols to meet country commitments. Responsible for quality and compliance in assigned protocols in the country. Contributes to development of local/Int'l SOPs.

• Oversees contract workers (e.g. COMs and CTCs) and local vendors.

• Manages direct reports including performance plans and development plans. Effectively manages performance issues.

COLLABORATION:

• Works with minimal oversight from CRD or line manager in close collaboration internally with GCTO Country Operations (CRM, CTC, CRA, COM and CQM), Medical Affairs, PV, Regulatory Affairs, Business Compliance, Local finance departments, legal, HQ functional areas and externally with vendors, sites and other stakeholders to ensure country deliverables are obtained for submissions, budgets, CTRAs and local milestones.

• Collaborates closely with Regional Operations and/or Headquarters to align country timelines for assigned protocols.

• Provides support and oversight to local vendors as applicable.

Qualifications, Skills & Experience CORE Competency Expectations:

• People Management skills, also across countries

• Demonstrates proactive leadership and must be able to in/directly influence investigators, vendors, external partners and country managers to deliver these commitments within specified timelines and budgets, with minimal oversight from the line manager.

• Skilled knowledge of budget and contract negotiations, the local ethics, legislation and regulatory environment and submission and approval processes, development of local Informed Consent as well as other site ready and ongoing study deliverables.

• Ability to proactively develop risk management and mitigation plans in the country and resolve issues locally. He/she is an independent decision maker with a clear understanding of the pros and cons of each decision and takes ownership of decisions.

• Extensive experience with clinical project management and coordination.

• Expertise of core clinical, regulatory, and financial systems, tools and metrics.

• Extensive knowledge of local regulatory environment and submission and approval processes.

• Strong coordination and organizational skills.

• Additionally for financial responsibilities: Background in business finance is preferred and strong knowledge and aptitude in accounting and financial procedures.

• Demonstrates leadership behaviors.

Behavioral Competency Expectations:

• Problem solving and Process Improvement is essential to this position.

• Ability to pro-actively identify issues and risks, analyse root cause, and propose solutions to problems and escalate to management as applicable. Specific examples of common problems include: 1) Issues in budget / CTRA negotiations, 2) Quality and compliance issues, 3) Regulatory and legal issues, and 4) issues related to functional area deliverables that could jeopardize protocol milestones.

• Strong communication and leadership skills.

• Strong negotiation skills as well as excellent influencing and training/mentoring skills, both written and verbal.

• Ability to focus on multiple deliverables and protocols simultaneously is essential.

• Ability to work effectively also in a remote virtual environment with a wide range of people and understanding of cultural differences.

• Fluency in both English and local language.

Required Skills:

Adaptability, Adaptability, Clinical Research, Clinical Research Management, Clinical Site Management, Clinical Testing, Clinical Trial Documentation, Clinical Trial Management, Clinical Trial Management Processes, Clinical Trial Planning, Clinical Trials Monitoring, Clinical Trials Operations, Cross-Cultural Awareness, Decision Making, Ethical Standards, Financial Forecasting, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Insurance Planning, Insurance Risk Management, Medical Affairs, Oncology Trials, Organizational Performance Management, People Leadership, Performance Plans, Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) {+ 2 more}

Preferred Skills:

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Current Contingent Workers apply HERE

Search Firm Representatives Please Read Carefully 
Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA, also known as Merck Sharp & Dohme LLC, Rahway, NJ, USA, does not accept unsolicited assistance from search firms for employment opportunities. All CVs / resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at our company without a valid written search agreement in place for this position will be deemed the sole property of our company.  No fee will be paid in the event a candidate is hired by our company as a result of an agency referral where no pre-existing agreement is in place. Where agency agreements are in place, introductions are position specific. Please, no phone calls or emails. 

Employee Status:

Regular

Relocation:

VISA Sponsorship:

Travel Requirements:

Flexible Work Arrangements:

Not Applicable

Shift:

Valid Driving License:

Hazardous Material(s):

Job Posting End Date:

11/17/2025

*A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

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