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92,000+ live jobsGlobal Study Associate Director
Hybrid in Barcelona·Full-time·Added 2 days ago (last checked 31 Oct)
38 open roles
Our summary
- Work mode
- Hybrid, Barcelona
- Contract
- Full-time
- English
- Required
- Experience
- 5+ years
- Education
- University degree





Visa options
The ad rules out sponsorship
The advert says visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.
Skills
Requirements
What we're looking for
- University degree (or equivalent), preferably in medical or biological sciences or discipline associated with clinical research.
- 5 years of relevant clinical experience in the pharmaceutical industry, including 2 years' project management experience, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience.
- Extensive knowledge of ICH-GCP, clinical research regulatory requirements and demonstrated abilities in clinical study management processes and clinical/drug development.
- Demonstrated solid project management skills and knowledge of relevant tools.
- Strong, demonstrated abilities/skills in team leadership.
- Strong abilities in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external co-workers and stakeholders, along with strong conflict management skills.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Strong strategic and critical thinking abilities.
- Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage competing priorities.
Nice to have
- Advanced degree, Masters level education (or higher).
- Project management certification.
- Proven project management experience on a global level.
- Experience in all phases of a clinical study lifecycle.
Why AstraZeneca: Here you will join a community that blends scientific curiosity with digital ingenuity to push boundaries and tackle complex disease. We bring different disciplines together to spark new ideas, partner widely across industry and academia, and channel data, AI and automation into practical breakthroughs. You will be empowered to experiment, trusted to lead meaningful change and supported by leaders who value kindness alongside ambition. The work you do to elevate external operations will directly advance our pipeline and, ultimately, the lives of patients who need new options.
Call to Action: If you are ready to scale operational excellence across a global partner network and turn insight into impact, step forward and help us deliver the next wave of transformative medicines today!
Languages
This role is based in Barcelona, with an on-site commitment of three days a week. Fluency in English is required.
The role
Are you ready to lead global clinical studies that turn scientific breakthroughs into evidence for life-changing medicines? As a Global Study Associate Director, you will lead a cross-functional study team from handover through close-out and archiving, serving as the critical link between the study team and the Clinical Program Team. You will own study delivery against agreed timelines, budgets and quality standards, ensuring strong partnerships across internal functions and external partners so patients can benefit sooner.
You will set the direction, remove obstacles and uphold inspection readiness, while amplifying the impact of every function involved in the study. Your leadership will translate complex plans into predictable execution-shaping data that informs program decisions, regulatory submissions and patient access. Can you see yourself orchestrating multi-country operations with clarity, pace and quality?
What you'll do
- Lead, provide guidance and delegate appropriately to a cross-functional study team or oversee outsourced delivery activities to ensure the clinical study progresses as planned, driving achievement of milestones according to timelines, budget and quality standards. May hold accountability and/or oversight of several studies.
- Lead and facilitate communication across all functions, including external partners and service providers. Lead and conduct investigator meetings and other study related meetings.
- Provide input into and hold accountability for the development of essential study level documents (i.e., Clinical Study Protocol (CSP) through to Clinical Study Report (CSR)) in accordance with relevant AZ SOPs.
- Ensure all external service providers (i.e., Contract Research Organizations (CROs), central laboratories, IXRS, ePRO, etc.) engaged at the study level are performing to contracted goals and timelines/budget and that adequate oversight is documented and any issues are escalated appropriately. May participate in vendor selection activities.
- Develop and maintain relevant study plans including required input into study level quality and risk management planning (e.g., risk-based quality management, proactive risk and contingency plans, etc.) ensuring that the risk response strategies and issue escalation pathways are clear to the entire study team.
- Accountable for ensuring that information in all systems utilized at a study-level (e.g. ACCORD/ABACUS, PharmaCM, etc.) are current and accurate.
- Oversee study level performance against agreed upon plans, milestones and key performance indicators (KPIs, quality and operational).
- Identify and report quality issues that have occurred within the study in accordance with relevant AZ SOP and collaborate with all functions as necessary to overcome barriers and achieve milestones; proactively communicate findings and corrective action plans (CAPAs) to relevant stakeholders (e.g. CPT, quality assurance staff, functional line management, etc.)
- Oversee Trial Master File (TMF) completion in accordance with relevant AZ SOPs, including ensuring the TMF plan and Expected Document List (EDL) are in place and that QC activities are performed on an ongoing basis to ensure TMF completeness at all times
- Ensure timely compliance with company-wide governance controls (e.g., Delegation of Authority, Sunshine Act, financial system attestations, Clinical Trial Transparency)
- The GSAD is responsible for study budget re-forecasting following initial budget estimate provided by the CPT and accountable for study budget management through the study lifecycle, and for providing budget progress reports to the CPT including any financial risks and mitigation plans (as part of the ongoing study change control process)
- Ensure studies are inspection-ready, at all times, according to ICH-GCP and AZ SOP and relevant policies/guidelines; GSAD is the primary Study Management point-of-contact in the event of an audit or inspection
- Provide regular feedback on individual performance to the study team members and their line managers; may mentor less experienced colleagues
- Work on non-drug project work such as being a Study Management representative in process improvements and/or leading improvement projects as discussed and agreed upon with their manage.
- May act as Subject Matter Expert for a particular process or system within Study Leadership.
How you'll work
When we put unexpected teams in the same room, we unleash bold thinking with the power to inspire life-changing medicines. In-person working gives us the platform we need to connect, work at pace and challenge perceptions. That's why we work, on average, a minimum of three days per week from the office. But that doesn't mean we're not flexible. We balance the expectation of being in the office while respecting individual flexibility. Join us in our unique and ambitious world.
Date Posted
29-oct-2026
Closing Date
07-nov-2026
Hiring process
Application
Recruiter contact · With a recruiter
Assessment
Not every role
Some roles, especially graduate roles, add a game-based assessment, a video or telephone interview, or an assessment day.
Interview
A two-way conversation about your skills and suitability for the role, and a chance for you to find out if AstraZeneca is right for you.
Pre-employment screening
Offer
- Candidates who reach interview stage or beyond usually get feedback within 14 days of the role's closing date.
- Interview travel expenses are reimbursed for journeys over 100km.
- Alcohol and drug testing is carried out for new hires where required by local country legislation.
About AstraZeneca
AstraZeneca is a global, science-led biopharmaceutical company that discovers, develops, and commercializes prescription medicines in therapeutic areas including oncology, cardiovascular, renal and metabolism, and respiratory and immunology. With a workforce of over 80,000 employees worldwide, the company is headquartered in Cambridge, UK, and operates across more than 100 countries, focusing on innovative medicines and advanced technologies like AI and data science to transform patient care.
In Spain, AstraZeneca has a significant presence with offices in Madrid and Barcelona, contributing to clinical development, regulatory affairs, and commercial operations. The company is known for its collaborative and inclusive culture, offering international professionals opportunities to work on global projects, particularly in areas like cell therapy, AI-driven health solutions (Evinova), and patient safety. With a strong commitment to diversity and innovation, AstraZeneca Spain is an attractive destination for talent seeking to make a global impact while living in Spain.
- Industry
- Pharma
- Founded
- 1999
- Employees
- 10,000+
- Headquarters
- Cambridge, UK
- In Spain
- Madrid, Barcelona
Good to know if you are moving
- AstraZeneca offers a global, multicultural work environment with opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the world.
- The company has a strong commitment to employee development and offers various career growth programs.
- Spain offices are located in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona, offering a high quality of life and vibrant culture.
- AstraZeneca is a leader in innovative therapies, providing employees with the chance to work on cutting-edge medical advancements.
- The company supports flexible working arrangements and promotes a healthy work-life balance.
In their own words
Additional information
AstraZeneca embraces diversity and equality of opportunity. We are committed to building an inclusive and diverse team representing all backgrounds, with as wide a range of perspectives as possible, and harnessing industry-leading skills. We believe that the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. We welcome and consider applications to join our team from all qualified candidates, regardless of their characteristics. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations on non-discrimination in employment (and recruitment), as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements.
Location
AstraZeneca · Barcelona
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