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Lead Central Monitor

Hybrid in Barcelona·Full-time·Added 3 days ago (last checked 15 Oct)

Novartis

24 open roles

Overview

Salary
€63,600 - €118,000 a year

About €3,650 - €6,150 a month after tax, or €3,710 - €7,150 under the Beckham regime.

Work mode
Hybrid, Barcelona
Contract
Full-time
English
Required
Experience
7+ years
Education
University degree

Visa options

  • The ad rules out sponsorship

    The advert says visa sponsorship isn’t available for this role.

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Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

  • University degree in Life Sciences, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.
  • At least seven years of recent pharmaceutical or contract research organisation experience, including experience in clinical research.
  • At least five years of experience in central or site monitoring, clinical data analytics, data management, or a related discipline.
  • At least three years of recent people-management or team-leadership experience, with proven ability to develop high-performing teams.
  • Strong understanding of clinical trial development, study execution, protocols, study risks, and clinical trial risk-management processes.
  • Experience with centralised monitoring, Key Risk Indicators, Quality Tolerance Limits, and Risk-Based Quality Management approaches.
  • Strong knowledge of Good Clinical Practice, International Council for Harmonisation standards, and relevant health-authority requirements.
  • Strong analytical, digital, communication, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret complex data and influence stakeholders in a global matrix environment.

Nice to have

  • Advanced university degree.
  • Extensive knowledge of a relevant therapeutic area.
  • Experience using artificial intelligence, analytics, or other digital approaches to support transformation.
  • Manager-of-managers experience and a track record of developing diverse, high-performing teams.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

€63,600.00 - €118,000.00

At Novartis, we're committed to reimagining medicine together - and rewarding the people who make it happen.

Expected Annual Base Salary Range for role: €63,600 to €118,000

The base salary offered is determined based on gender-neutral objectives, such as relevant skills, competencies and experience in accordance with the Novartis pay setting policy and upon joining Novartis will be reviewed periodically.

In addition to your base salary, you may be eligible for a performance-based bonus depending on certain performance parameters.

The rewards of being part of our team go far beyond base pay and incentives. We also offer a variety of competitive benefits in kind to help you thrive personally and professionally, such as insurance plans, retirement plans, wellbeing resources and global recognition programs. In addition, we provide flexible and hybrid working options, where possible, and minimum 14 weeks paid parental leave.

Read our brochure to learn more about our global total rewards offering:

Read our handbook (PDF 30 MB)

Note: Benefits and compensation may vary by country and are subject to local legal requirements, including provisions of collective bargaining agreements where applicable. A full overview of your compensation package, including any relevant collective bargaining agreement details applicable to your role based on your employment location and Novartis employer entity, will be communicated separately to you during the application process.

Visa & relocation

Relocation Support: This role is based in Barcelona, Spain. Novartis is unable to offer relocation support: please only apply if accessible.

The role

What if your leadership could transform how clinical trial risks are identified, understood, and managed across a global development portfolio? As Lead Central Monitor, you will lead and develop a team of Central Monitors while shaping monitoring strategies that protect patient safety, trial quality, and data integrity. Working across clinical, data, and risk-surveillance teams, you will turn complex information into actionable insights, strengthen risk-based monitoring practices, and help advance the Central Monitoring capability at Novartis.

What you'll do

  • Lead and develop a team of Central Monitors, building capability, engagement, and consistently high performance.
  • Shape central and site monitoring strategies tailored to program, study, and Development Unit risks.
  • Oversee trial-data surveillance, risk reviews, signal detection, and insight generation using Central Monitoring technology.
  • Translate complex risk signals into actionable insights that enable Clinical Trial Teams to investigate and resolve issues.
  • Partner with clinical, data, and risk-surveillance teams to implement effective monitoring and risk-mitigation approaches.
  • Guide protocol development, risk assessment, and the design of study-specific Key Risk Indicators and thresholds.
  • Ensure monitoring activities support clinical data integrity, regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and timely issue resolution.
  • Drive continuous improvement through analytics, technology, innovation, lessons learned, and Risk-Based Quality Management.

How you'll work

Role Type: Hybrid Working, #LI-Hybrid

Job Description Summary

Primary Location: Barcelona, Spain

Other Locations: London, United Kingdom; Dublin, Ireland

Skills Desired

Budget Management, Clinical Research, Clinical Study Reports, Clinical Trials, Collaboration, Data Analysis, Health Sciences, People Management, Regulatory Compliance

About Novartis

Novartis is a global healthcare company headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, operating across the pharmaceutical, generics, biosimilars, and eye care sectors. With over 100,000 employees worldwide and a presence in more than 140 countries, it is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, known for innovative medicines in areas such as oncology, immunology, neuroscience, and cardiovascular health.

In Spain, Novartis has a significant presence with offices in Barcelona and Madrid, employing a diverse workforce across clinical development, data science, IT, and audit functions. The company is a major employer of international talent, offering roles in English and fostering a multicultural, science-driven environment. For international professionals, Novartis provides structured career paths in clinical research and development, with opportunities to work on global projects from its Spanish hubs.

Industry
Pharma
Founded
1796
Employees
100,000–200,000
Headquarters
Basel, Switzerland
In Spain
Barcelona, Madrid

Good to know if you are moving

  • Novartis operates in English as its corporate language, making it accessible for international professionals without local language requirements.
  • The Barcelona office hosts a large hub for clinical development and global functions, offering roles in data science, clinical programming, and medical affairs.
  • Spain is a key market for Novartis, with a strong pipeline of clinical trials and digital health initiatives.
  • The company offers structured career paths and global mobility programs, allowing employees to move between countries and functions.
  • Novartis provides a comprehensive relocation package for international hires, including visa support and settling-in assistance.

In their own words

About the company & team

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives.

Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Additional information

Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams representative of the patients and communities we serve.

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