Manager of Study Activation

The Manager of Study Activation at Sarah Cannon Research Institute is responsible for overseeing all study activation activities, directing the study activation team, and ensuring adherence to standard operating procedures. This involves liaising with site, sponsor, and CRO contacts to maintain effective organization connectivity during study start-up, assessing organizational processes, and driving improvements in trial activations.

To qualify for the Manager of Study Activation position at Sarah Cannon Research Institute, candidates should ideally have clinical and/or scientific experience in a research setting, a solid understanding of FDA guidelines and GCP, and the ability to read and comply with research protocols. Holding a research certification, such as ACRP or CCRP, is preferred to ensure a deep understanding of clinical trial processes.

The Manager of Study Activation plays a crucial role in advancing cancer research at Sarah Cannon Research Institute by leading study start-up initiatives and enhancing collaboration with various partners. This position ensures that trials are initiated effectively, fostering relationships with sites, sponsors, and CROs, which ultimately contributes to expediting research and improving treatment outcomes for cancer patients.

Successful candidates for the Manager of Study Activation role at Sarah Cannon Research Institute should have strong leadership abilities, excellent interpersonal skills, and heightened analytical capabilities. Being resourceful, detail-oriented, and capable of problem solving in a fast-paced environment is essential. Additionally, candidates should possess the ability to drive new initiatives and handle multiple priorities effectively.

At Sarah Cannon Research Institute, employees enjoy a Total Rewards package that includes comprehensive benefits catering to physical, mental, and financial well-being. The benefits are designed to support diverse needs, ensuring every employee feels valued and is empowered to be their healthiest self. Moreover, competitive compensation and additional incentives such as bonuses may be part of the overall compensation package.

When responding to this question, highlight your specific experiences with clinical trials, focusing on your roles in study start-up, management, and team leadership. Detail how your previous experiences have prepared you for overseeing a study activation team while ensuring compliance with protocols and improving trial processes.

Discuss the importance of effective communication, accountability, and empathy in leadership roles. Emphasize how you would lead by example, motivate your team, and foster collaboration amongst study partners to achieve successful outcomes in cancer research.

Share examples of past challenges you've faced when starting a clinical trial, such as regulatory hurdles or site readiness issues. Explain how you approached these challenges, what solutions you found, and the results of your efforts, underscoring your problem-solving abilities.

Mention key performance indicators such as time to activation, site engagement levels, and patient enrollment rates. Explain how you would analyze these metrics to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance trial activation efficiency.

Describe your approach to maintaining compliance, including regular training for your team, conducting audits, and implementing robust standard operating procedures. Emphasize the importance of keeping up-to-date with regulations and ensuring your team understands best practices.

You could mention fostering open lines of communication, conducting regular meetings, and building strong relationships through trust and transparency. Discuss specific tactics you could employ to create a culture of collaboration that benefits study activation.

Share a relevant example where you worked with a CRO to achieve a successful outcome for a clinical study. Discuss the various tactics used, such as effective communication and project alignment, that led to achieving mutual goals and strengthening partnerships.

Articulate your method for assessing potential sites, including evaluating their capacity, historical performance, and enthusiasm for trial participation. Also, outline how you would collaborate with executive leadership to make informed recommendations.

Discuss your time management and organizational skills, mentioning how you might use project management tools or prioritize tasks based on their urgency and impact on trial activation timelines. Provide examples to illustrate your approach.

Express your passion for making a positive impact in the lives of cancer patients, sharing personal or professional experiences that inspire you. Relate this motivation to your drive in ensuring study activation aligns with SCRI's mission and contributes to advancing cancer treatments successfully.