Clinical Trial Engagement Lead (12-month contract)

Note** This is a 12-month contract At AstraZeneca, we pride ourselves on crafting a collaborative culture that champions knowledge-sharing, ambitious thinking and innovation – ultimately providing employees with the opportunity to work across teams, functions and even the globe. Recognizing the importance of individualized flexibility, our ways of working allow employees to balance personal and work commitments while ensuring we continue to create a strong culture of collaboration and teamwork by engaging face-to-face in our offices 3 days a week. Our head office and in downtown Toronto are purposely designed with collaboration in mind, providing space where teams can come together to strategize, brainstorm and connect on key projects. Our dedication to sustainability is also central to our culture and part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work. We know the health of people, the planet and our business are interconnected which is why we’re taking ambitious action to tackle some of the biggest challenges of our time, from climate change to access to healthcare and disease prevention. The Clinical Trial Engagement Lead – Oncology drives a best-in-class site relationship model to position AstraZeneca as the Sponsor of Choice for clinical sites. This role builds and sustains strategic, long-term relationships with key Oncology institutions, including deep engagement with Key External Experts (KEEs) and operational leaders (investigators, site managers, study coordinators, regulatory, pharmacy etc.) to align on trial needs, remove barriers, and elevate the site experience. Acting as the primary interface for clinical trials, the role enhances AZ’s local reputation and optimizes clinical trial environments for timely, high-quality delivery. Key accountabilities include implementing local site relationship strategies (including Partner in Care Network where applicable), monitor and support study start-up on-time enrolment and database flow for the sites they have been assigned and escalate findings from vendor monitoring activities . The role collaborates across clinical, legal, contracts, vendors, and other functions. Accountabilities: • End-to-end site delivery: Ensure comprehensive site management to achieve enrollment readiness, recruitment goals, and timely locks, including performance management, issue mitigation, and resolution. • Maximize enrollment and experience: Identify and implement opportunities to maximize enrollment timelines while delivering an unparalleled clinical trial and customer experience for investigators, site staff, and patients. • Scientific and regional insight: Apply provided scientific, therapeutic area information, and institutional/regional knowledge to inform feasibility, strategic site allocation, and delivery of high-quality data; understand the provided AZ oncology tumour strategy map and how ongoing/planned AZ studies complement evolving treatment strategies to maximize patient benefit, align with site priorities, and support timely enrolment. • Strategic relationships and networks: Build and expand strategic institutional/site partnerships across academic centers, community practices, and emerging models (hybrid networks, DCT-enabled sites); engage KEEs, investigators, research coordinators, and site leadership to optimize trial delivery across therapeutic areas where applicable. • Data-driven decisions: Leverage site/country/regional metrics and KPIs (quality and performance) to guide decisions, track compliance with partnership agreements, diagnose issues, and drive corrective actions. • Barrier removal and issue escalation: Collaborate with internal teams to remove execution barriers at site and country levels; serve as an escalation point for site performance issues and implement targeted action plans. For outsourced study raise obstacles/issue to global team to drive for resolution. • Operational excellence and standardization: Create and implement strategic partnership frameworks for priority sites; identify, disseminate, and standardize best practices across local operations; contribute to internal cross-functional process improvement initiatives. • Environmental surveillance and strategy: Conduct strategic environmental surveillance within country/market Site to anticipate regulatory and operational changes; provide insights to leadership on site landscape trends, operational risks, and emerging engagement models to shape innovative partnerships. • Cross-functional collaboration: Partner with Feasibility, Clinical Operations, Legal, Contracts, Medical Affairs, CROs, and LOC teams to align priorities, optimize site placement, and deliver the portfolio; act as an effective communication bridge between sites, vendors, and AZ. • Patient-centric impact: Champion patient-centric solutions and representative strategies tailored to oncology populations; enhance collaboration between sites and clinical teams to improve performance and resolve obstacles during start-up and execution. Required: • Bachelor degree in related discipline, preferably in life science, or equivalent qualification (*). • Minimum 4 years of experience in Clinical Operations or other related fields (Sr. CRA, Site Engagement, Medical Affairs-led or Academic-led studies). • Understanding of international guidelines ICH-GCP as well as relevant local regulations. • Strong client relationship and management abilities. • Good understanding and keen interest in digital solution and technology • Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks. • Excellent verbal and written communication skills. • Excellent attention to details • Excellent knowledge of spoken and written English. • Strong negotiation skills and influential leadership skills. • Ability to learn and to adapt to work with IT systems. • Excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills • Ability to look for and champion more efficient and effective m