Lead Clinical Trials Coordinator - Private Ophthalmic Institute
Salary: Up to £55,000 (dependent on experience)
Location: Harley Street, London
Contract: Full-time, Permanent
About the Role
We’re seeking an experienced and proactive Lead Clinical Trials Coordinator to take ownership of our expanding ophthalmic clinical trials programme. This is a pivotal position in one of the Institute’s most important growth areas, with responsibility for study delivery, team leadership, and sponsor relationships.
You’ll oversee a small, high-performing team and work closely with pharmaceutical and medical device partners to ensure our trials meet recruitment, compliance, and quality targets. This is an exceptional opportunity for a driven professional to lead from the front and shape the direction of a growing research portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
* Programme Leadership & Governance
* Lead the end-to-end delivery of all clinical studies, ensuring adherence to ICH-GCP, protocol, ethics, and data protection standards.
* Manage study timelines, milestones, and risk mitigation across all active and upcoming trials.
* Support investigators with medical oversight, protocol clarifications, and safety communications.
* Maintain audit readiness through meticulous document control and process compliance.
* Study Start-Up & Feasibility
* Lead feasibility assessments and communicate site capabilities to sponsors and CROs.
* Drive rapid study start-up including contracts, budgets, and submissions.
* Develop efficient site workflows and patient pathways to accelerate recruitment and optimise data quality.
Recruitment & Retention
* Deliver study recruitment targets through effective referral networks and patient engagement.
* Monitor screen-fail rates and implement data-driven recovery strategies.
Operations & Data Management
* Oversee day-to-day site operations, ensuring smooth clinic flow and accurate, timely data entry.
* Maintain all logs, trackers, and study databases with strong version control.
* Coordinate data queries, interim analyses, and database lock activities.
Sponsor & CRO Liaison
* Act as the main point of contact for sponsors and CROs.
* Lead site visits and monitoring interactions with professionalism and clarity.
* Provide concise progress reports and performance updates to stakeholders.
Financial Oversight
* Work with the Accounts team on study budgets, invoicing, and financial tracking.
* Support contract negotiation, milestone payments, and cost control.
People Leadership
* Line-manage and mentor clinical trials staff, providing clear goals and feedback.
* Lead onboarding, training, and professional development initiatives.
* Imaging & Clinical Duties
* Learn and perform patient imaging using advanced ophthalmic diagnostic equipment.
* Ensure patient experience and data integrity remain at the forefront of all trial activities.
Publications & Research Support
* Assist in data analysis and the preparation of abstracts, posters, and manuscripts for conferences and journals.
About You
Minimum 5 years’ experience managing or coordinating clinical trials, ideally within ophthalmology or medical devices.
Demonstrated success in meeting recruitment targets and reducing study start-up timelines.
Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, ethics, and regulatory requirements.
Proficient with EDC systems and confident analysing performance metrics.
Excellent communication, organisational, and leadership skills, with a compassionate approach to patients