Chief Operating Officer - Middle East & Africa (m/f)

The role:
Reporting to the CEO, you will build and run Clintessa’s operations across the Middle East and Africa, turning a regional strategy into working sites, teams and delivered studies.

Key responsibilities:

• Set up and run regional operations, including entity, regulatory and site readiness in priority markets
• Lead study start-up and delivery: feasibility, site selection, regulatory and ethics submissions, and import permits for investigational products
• Build and manage regional teams and the local site and vendor network
• Own operational budgets, KPIs and delivery timelines
• Ensure GCP / ICH E6(R3) compliance, working closely with the independent quality function
• Build relationships with regulators, research institutions, investigators and partners
• Support business development with operational input for proposals and sponsor meetings

Frequent travel across the Gulf and East Africa.

Start date: December 2026.

Potrebno obrazovanje, znanja i vještine

• University degree in life sciences, medicine, pharmacy or a related field
• At least 5 years of experience in clinical research operations (CRO, SMO, sponsor or research site)
• Hands-on knowledge of clinical trial regulation in East Africa and/or the Gulf
• Experience building or scaling teams and operations
• Strong command of English; Swahili or Arabic is an advantage
• Willingness to travel frequently across the region

Poslodavac ti nudi

• A founding leadership role in a growing international CRO
• Direct influence on strategy, structure and team
• A competitive package based on experience
• An international, entrepreneurial environment
• Full-time

Send your CV and a short cover letter via application link with the subject “COO – Middle East & Africa”.