Job Description

Shape the future of clinical trial readiness across multiple markets – and help life-changing treatments reach patients faster.

Your new role

As the Study Start-Up (SSU) Manager, you will be the strategic leader responsible for defining and driving the direction of the SSU Unit within the Clinical Development Centre (CDC). You will lead study start-up operations and regulatory submissions, champion continuous improvement, and accelerate timelines to bring clinical trials to patients sooner.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Defining and implementing study start-up and regulatory strategies for the CDC, ensuring alignment with global and regional goals and regulatory requirements
• Providing oversight of study start-up and submission activities across the entire portfolio of clinical trials, ensuring consistent adherence to timelines, quality standards, and regulatory compliance
• Leading performance management and professional development of your SSU team, fostering a culture of empowerment and accountability
• Developing, monitoring, and delivering on SSU KPIs in alignment with CDC, regional, and global strategies
• Leading cross-functional communication and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to enable efficient start-up activities
• Ensuring all aspects of the start-up phase of clinical trials are conducted in accordance with ICH-GCP, regulatory requirements, and Novo Nordisk policies,

Your new department

You will join CDC South Africa, a vibrant and high-performing organisation dedicated to advancing clinical research and delivering world-class clinical trial execution. Based in Johannesburg, the team works in close collaboration with global and regional partners and is committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and operational excellence.
As SSU Manager, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring trials are initiated efficiently and compliantly, directly contributing to our ability to deliver new therapies to the people who need them most.

Your skills & qualifications

We are looking for a strategic and people-oriented leader who thrives in a dynamic, clinical environment. You'll bring with you:

• A Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or a related field (Master's degree preferred) and 5+ years of relevant experience in clinical operations, study start-up, or a related area in the pharmaceutical industry or CRO
• A strong track record in clinical trial operations with expertise in regulatory compliance and submissions, including demonstrated ability to ensure high-quality execution in compliance with ICH-GCP and internal SOPs
• Leadership experience as a line manager, with the ability to develop dynamic teams, navigate ambiguity, and lead through change and uncertainty
• Strong project management capabilities paired with critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate risks, identify opportunities, and drive smart decision-making
• An enterprise mindset with proven ability to align local teams with organisational strategies, build strong stakeholder relationships at all levels, and promote cross-functional collaboration
• The ability to communicate with clarity and impact, and a drive to innovate and initiate change that improves productivity

Working at Novo Nordisk

Every day we seek the solutions that defeat serious chronic diseases. To do this, we approach our work with determination, constant curiosity and a commitment to finding better ways forward. For over 100 years, this dedication has driven us to build a company focused on lasting change for long-term health. One where diverse thinking, shared purpose and mutual respect come together to create extraordinary results. When you join us, you're not just starting a job – you're becoming part of a story that spans generations.

What we offer

There is, of course, more on offer here than the uniqueness of our culture and the extraordinary results we produce. Being part of a global healthcare company means opportunities to learn and develop are all around us, while our benefits are designed with your career and life stage in mind.

Deadline

Please apply by August 7, 2026

We commit to an inclusive recruitment process and equality of opportunity for all our job applicants.

At Novo Nordisk, we're not chasing quick fixes – we're creating lasting change for long-term health. For over 100 years, we've been driven by a single purpose: to defeat serious chronic diseases and help millions of people live healthier lives. This dedication fuels our constant curiosity and inspires us to push the boundaries of what's possible in healthcare. We embrace diverse perspectives, seek out bold ideas, and build partnerships rooted in shared purpose. Together, we're making healthcare more accessible, treating and preventing diseases, and pioneering solutions that create change spanning generations. When you join us, you become part of something bigger – a legacy of impact that reaches far beyond today.