Key Skills
Job Description
Job Overview:
Primary contact with investigative site(s) during site start-up activities and maintenance with responsibility for collection of the required investigator and essential documents for a study, to ensure EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority and any other local applications are made within the timelines agreed with project management and Site Readiness team and that documentation meets the specifications required by applicable regulations and sponsor. Proactively interacts with EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authorities to provide guidance regarding requirements. Maintain awareness of current regulatory standards related to submissions. Serve as local expert in project start-up activities for a particular country or region. Act as a ‘knowledge resource’ to mentor and train new hires and less-experienced department colleagues if suitable.
Summary of Responsibilities:
- Maintain awareness of regulatory legislation, guidance, and practice in the assigned countries.
- Coordinate, collect and organize data and information required by EC/IRB/Third body/Regulatory Authority including but not limited to the preparation of study documentation such as the country application form and cover letter for sponsor review as applicable.
- Compile and prepare routine submission filed to IRB/IEC/Third body/Regulatory Authorities (e.g., INDs/CTAs) and liaise with them as applicable regarding submission/approval.
- Liaise with internal and external vendors in the generation of Regulatory Authority submissions (as applicable).
- Perform a review of final submission documents as applicable.
- Ensure that all assigned start-up and maintenance activities are on track, in accordance with client expectations and budget and in compliance with applicable laws and guidelines, regulatory requirements, ICH/GCP, SOPs and quality standards
- Prevent and escalate study issues appropriately and in a timely fashion.
- Perform other duties as assigned by management depending upon country and situational requirements with proper supervision [if applicable].
- In Country specific tasks (Global):
- Serve as primary contact for investigative sites and ensure documents required are collected in a timely manner.
- Collect and track all the necessary documents required and perform a quality review, formatting, and compilation of the final documents for effective and compliant site activation and maintenance without supervision.
- Ensure high quality documents are filed and systems are updated on an ongoing and timely basis, making Fortrea ready for an audit at any time.
- Participate in team and project meetings as applicable.
- When needed, assist in the strategy definition for Site Activation and provide accurate projections and timelines to study teams.
- Review and customize country and site-specific patient informed consent forms for compliance with local requirements and protocol. Proactively resolve informed consent issues and other potential difficulties with study sites.
- May support the negotiation of site contracts and budgets with sites, if applicable and track progress of contract and budget milestones/developments, intervening and escalating as appropriate.
- Proactively identifying and escalating to Submission Leads any risk to meeting deliverables.
- Notify the Submissions Lead of hours identified as Out-of-Scope or overburn.
- Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) tasks (specific centralized role for EU):
- Assist in the upload of submission documentation to, interacting with and monitoring of all notifications and alerts in CTIS to ensure all milestones and events for the trial are met within the timelines mandated.
- Performs all other duties as needed or assigned.
Qualifications (Minimum Required):
- University/College degree (life science preferred), or certification in a related allied health profession from an appropriate accredited institution (e.g., nursing certification, medical or laboratory technology) AND 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations.
- Fortrea may consider relevant and equivalent experience in lieu of educational requirements.
- In lieu of the above requirement, candidates with a High School Diploma or equivalent AND a minimum of 2 years' work experience in clinical research, including a strong working knowledge of the ICH guidelines and RA, IRB/IEC regulations will be considered.
Experience (Minimum Required):
- Minimum of 2 years of experience in clinical development or start-up/ regulatory process.
- Working knowledge of ICH, RA, IRB/IEC, and other applicable regulations/guidelines; familiarity with investigator start-up documents and contract/budgets negotiation process; previous interaction with operational project teams and investigative sites.
- Demonstrated understanding of research protocol requirements and proven ability to communicate them/educate others about them.
Physical Demands/Work Environment:
- General Office Environment.
Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.
Core Responsibilities
The Start-Up Specialist acts as the primary contact for investigative sites, managing the collection of essential documents and ensuring regulatory submissions are completed on time. They also provide guidance on regulatory standards, mentor team members, and ensure all site activation activities comply with ICH/GCP and internal quality standards.
Requirements
Candidates must have a university degree in a life science or equivalent experience, along with at least 2 years of experience in clinical research or start-up processes. A strong working knowledge of ICH guidelines, regulatory authority regulations, and IRB/IEC processes is required.
About Fortrea
Industry: Biotechnology Research
Company size: 10,001+ employees
Fortrea (Nasdaq: FTRE) is a leading global clinical research organization (CRO) dedicated to providing innovative clinical development solutions to the life sciences industry. With over 30 years of clinical research experience, Fortrea has evolved from Covance and Labcorp into a pureplay CRO built for biotech, biopharma, medical device and diagnostic innovators. Fortrea collaborates with both emerging and established companies to deliver agile, fit-for-purpose full service (FSO), functional service (FSP) and hybrid solutions. Fortrea provides comprehensive Phase I-IV clinical trial management, clinical pharmacology, and consulting services, backed by deep experience in more than 20 therapeutic areas. Operating in approximately 100 countries, our diverse and talented team brings scientific rigor, operational excellence, and a strong investigator site network to every trial. By combining the best of our legacy experience with forward-thinking innovation, Fortrea brings predictability to clinical trial execution and helps transform aspirations into outcomes. Together, exceptional is possible. Learn more at Fortrea.com