This listing was posted on The Resumator.
Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network
Location:
Oxford, Oxon
Description:
Location: UK-Oxford/London or location in Africa to begin with. Will also consider a remote based contractor. This role may require relocation to African HQ at some point in the future. Hours: Full-time Reports to: Chief Executive Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network Our Mission The Ellison Institute of Technology (EIT) works to develop and deploy advanced technology in pursuit of solving some of humanity’s most challenging and enduring problems. Guided by world leaders, scientists, and entrepreneurs, EIT seeks to accelerate innovation by driving scientific and technological advancements across four humane endeavours: medical sciences and healthcare, food security and sustainable agriculture, clean energy and climate change, and government policy and economics.Please visit eit.org for more details. Job Summary: We are establishing a clinical research network and are on a mission to revolutionise clinical research in Africa. Our vision is to build a sustainable, African-led research ecosystem that drives health equity and innovation. By establishing a network of world-class clinical research sites and capabilities, we aim to generate the evidence Africa needs to inform health decisions and policies, while cultivating the next generation of African scientific leaders. Africa has been underrepresented in global clinical research, conducting only 2% of clinical research despite shouldering 25% of the world's disease burden. While there have been significant investments in disease-specific clinical research sites and networks, these approaches have often led to fragmented infrastructure, limited capacity, and reliance on expatriate leadership. Such models have struggled to drive long-term sustainability or meet the broader health needs of African countries and regions beyond narrow therapeutic areas. Consequently, health products and policies in Africa are often informed by data from other settings, which may not fully account for the rich diversity of African populations and local contexts. This lack of locally relevant evidence hinders the development of tailored health solutions that effectively address Africa's unique challenges and priorities. Our clinical research network is on a mission to transform this landscape. By partnering with leading institutions and trial units across the continent, we will establish a network of clinical research sites that serve two critical goals: diversifying global research and empowering Africa to meet the healthcare needs of its rapidly growing population. Our network will be designed to catalyse Africa's self-sufficiency in pharmaceutical and vaccine R&D and manufacturing, ensuring the continent can drive its own health innovation agenda. We will establish digital and clinical infrastructure, while prioritizing deep community engagement to foster trust, relevance and impact. At our sites, we will conduct rigorous, ethical research that puts African populations and priorities at the center. By generating high-quality local data that reflects the diversity of African contexts, we can accelerate the development and delivery of tailored global health solutions - for Africa, by Africa. Our goal is to build sustainable research capacity that outlasts any single study or funder, empowering African institutions to become global leaders in clinical research and scientific innovation for generations to come. The role: We are seeking a visionary Chief Operating Officer (COO) to operationalise this ambitious vision. Reporting to the CEO, the COO will develop and implement the operational strategy for the network, overseeing key functions including finance, site operations, infrastructure development and maintenance. The COO will work together with the Chief Medical Officer/Chief R&D Officer to ensure the network's operations are optimised to deliver on our bold research agenda. Key tasks and responsibilities include: Develop and implement a comprehensive operational strategy to support the network's phased growth plan, from foundational development through expansion and long-term sustainability Build and lead a high-performing operations team, with responsibility for finance, human resources, IT, legal, and facilities management Establish robust financial management systems, overseeing budgeting, forecasting, and reporting to ensure the network's financial health and sustainability Drive the development of network-owned sites, managing site selection, set-up, and ongoing operations to ensure world-class capabilities and quality Oversee the expansion of the network's affiliate site model, implementing rigorous site selection, onboarding, and performance management processes Establish best-in-class IT systems and infrastructure to support the network's clinical operations, data management, and collaboration needs Ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements Foster a culture of operational excellence, continuous improvement, and innovation Serve as a key member of the network's executive leadership team, contributing to overall strategy and decision-making Candidate profile: The ideal candidate is an entrepreneurial operation executive with a passion for health equity and a talent for building sustainable organisations. They bring a track record of successfully leading and scaling operations in fast-paced, complex environments, ideally within the clinical research or start up space. While candidates do not need to be from Africa, they must have a deep commitment to leveraging their expertise to build local capacity and foster African leadership. Beyond the initial few years of establishing the network, the COO will be expected to focus on identifying, developing, and empowering African talent to assume key operational roles. This includes implementing robust talent management and succession planning strategies to ensure a pipeline of strong African leaders who can drive the network's long-term growth and success. The COO must be a strategic thinker with a keen understanding of the unique challenges and opportunities of building a research network in Africa. They should have experience designing and implementing operational strategies that are adaptable, scalable, and responsive to local contexts. A strong background in financial management, site operations, and quality management systems is essential, as is the ability to navigate complex regulatory and legal environments. As a key member of the executive leadership team, the COO will play a critical role in shaping the network's culture and values. They must be a compelling leader with the ability to inspire and unite teams around a shared vision. Strong relationship-building and influencing skills are essential, as the COO will need to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders, from site teams to external partners and funders. The ideal candidate is a problem-solver and an innovator, with a talent for developing creative solutions to complex operational challenges. They are resilient and adaptable, with the ability to navigate uncertainty and lead teams through change. Above all, they must be deeply committed to the network's mission of advancing health equity and research excellence in Africa, with a passion for building an organisation that will transform lives for generations to come. Qualifications include: 15+ years of experience in operational leadership roles, ideally in the CRO, pharmaceutical, or academic research sectors; experience in start up environments a plus Track record of successfully scaling organizations, with experience managing budgets of $20M+ Deep expertise in financial management, site operations, infrastructure development, and quality management systems Experience implementing technology solutions to drive operational efficiency and effectiveness Strong strategic thinking skills, with the ability to develop and execute complex operational plans Exceptional leadership and team-building skills, with experience managing cross-functional teams Strong relationship-building and influencing skills, with the ability to work effectively with a range of stakeholders Excellent problem-solving skills, with a proactive approach to identifying and addressing operational challenges Demonstrated commitment to talent development and building diverse, high-performing teams Passion for health equity and advancing research capacity in Africa This is a unique opportunity to build and shape the operational backbone of a transformational organization. The COO will play a pivotal role in bringing our ambitious vision to life, ensuring we have the operational capabilities and infrastructure to achieve our bold research agenda. Please apply online providing a CV and covering letter specifically highlighting how your existing skills and experiences support fulfilling the responsibilities of this exciting role. The Ellison Institute of Technology is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that an inclusive, collaborative team environment is just as important to our mission as stethoscopes and microscopes. We strive to always provide employees a supportive atmosphere, so they feel confident taking creative risks towards innovation. EIT values emotional intelligence and communication with empathy and respect for others. We seek to build a diverse group of people who are curious, have a deep sense of responsibility, and the grit needed to achieve excellence. #LI-PE#Powered by JazzHR
Company:
Ellison Institute Of Technology
Posted:
May 15 on The Resumator
Visit Our Partner Website
This listing was posted on another website. Click here to open: Go to The Resumator
Important Safety Tips
- Always meet the employer in person.
- Avoid sharing sensitive personal and financial information.
- Avoid employment offers that require a deposit or investment.
To learn more, visit the Safety Center or click here to report this listing.
More About this Listing: Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network
Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network is a Executive COO Job at Ellison Institute of Technology located in Oxford OXF. Find other listings like Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network by searching Oodle for Executive COO Jobs.
Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network is a Executive COO Job at Ellison Institute of Technology located in Oxford OXF. Find other listings like Chief Operating Officer - Africa Clinical Research Network by searching Oodle for Executive COO Jobs.