Head of Feasibility and Planning

Title:

Head of Feasibility and Planning

Company:

Ipsen Biopharm Ltd

 

About Ipsen:

Ipsen is a mid-sized global biopharmaceutical company with a focus on transformative medicines in three therapeutic areas: Oncology, Rare Disease and Neuroscience. Supported by nearly 100 years of development experience, with global hubs in the U.S., France and the U.K, we tackle areas of high unmet medical need through research and innovation.

 Our passionate teams in more than 40 countries are focused on what matters and endeavor every day to bring medicines to patients in 88 countries. We build a workplace that champions human-centric leadership and fosters a culture of collaboration, excellence and impact. At Ipsen, every individual is empowered to be their true selves, grow and thrive alongside the company’s success. Join us on our journey towards sustainable growth, creating real impact on patients and society!

For more information, visit us at https://www.ipsen.com/ and follow our latest news on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Job Description:

Job Title:  

Head of Feasibility and Study Planning

Division / Function: 

R&D – Clinical Development Operations (CDO)

Ipsen Job Profile:

Clinical trials Excellence / Clinical Partnerships

Location:

IPSEN Hubs – UK (London), France (Paris), USA (Cambridge, MA)

WHAT - Summary & Purpose of the Position

To lead and build Ipsen’s R&D global feasibility and study planning capability by establishing a predictive, data / insight driven, end-to-end planning model across the clinical development portfolio. The role is accountable for ensuring that all clinical studies are designed, assessed, and operationally planned with a high degree of rigor, leveraging data, analytics, insights from ISPEN/FSP staff using up-to-date ways of working e.g., AI-enabled to optimize timelines, cost, and probability of success.

The Head of Feasibility and Study Planning will partner closely across IPSEN (e.g. Medical DDAAI) to ensure effective and integrated utilisation of Data, Analytics with Operational expertise and knowhow.  The individual will oversee a hybrid team of internal and FSP resources to deliver robust feasibility assessments, data/insight driven site and patient strategies, and evidence-based activation, enrollment and operational forecasts, ensuring Ipsen consistently designs trials that are feasible, efficient, and aligned with patient and regulatory expectations.

WHAT - Main Responsibilities & Technical Competencies

Leadership & Strategy

• Define and implement Ipsen’s global feasibility and study planning strategy, aligned to the broader R&D and CDO transformation agenda.
• Build and lead a high-performing hybrid team (internal + FSP) delivering scalable and repeatable planning execution throughout the lifecycle of the trial.  
• Establish governance, standards, and audit-ready processes for feasibility and planning outputs. 
• Partner closely with appropriate groups across IPSEN e.g. R&D/Medical IT: Digital, Data, Analytics & AI to influence and shape technical solutions that meet R&D business needs. 
• Lead and establish a clear IPSEN Process, Ways of Working, Technology and resourcing to ensure high quality outputs delivered with urgency (speed) in a cost-effective manner.
• Based on IPSEN processes/ways of working ensure creation and ongoing optimization of a measurement framework i.e. performance of Site Activation / Enrolment plans vs. actuals; efficacy of overall feasibility outputs (e.g. customer satisfaction) etc.
• Be a focal point for end-to-end CDO/R&D operational planning; understanding the technology infrastructure and ensuring clear and efficient data flows translating into simple use of applicable systems for IPSEN staff. 
• Coordinate and own IPSENs R&D Clinical Trial Footprint, in collaboration with the Global Head of Study, Site Management and Monitoring.
• Actively support feasibility for Medical Affairs studies where appropriate.

End-to-End Study Planning Accountability

• Oversee delivery of all planning components across the full lifecycle:
  • Study design input and protocol optimization.
  • Feasibility assessment (program, country, site, patient).
  • Site and PI identification strategy.
  • Enrollment and operational forecasting.
  • Integrated operational plans.
• Ensure outputs from each step are integrated into a unified, data-driven operating plan for the Clinical Trial.
• Define and oversee adherence to global planning and feasibility methodologies, standards and governance to enable the end-to-end process collaborating with the TA Clin Ops Groups (e.g. Clinical Project Managers (CPMs), Clinical Project Directors, TA Heads etc.).
• Collaborate and establish tools to perform ongoing monitoring of the Clinical Trial performance; assessing and collaborating with study teams to remediate as needed. 
• Have working knowledge of external tools and data sets that may support optimization of IPSENs feasibility processes.
• Share outcomes, through the appropriate pathways (e.g. CPM) to ensure alignment of outcomes (e.g. Site Activation and Enrolment Plans) with appropriate stakeholders e.g., Study/Asset Team.

Feasibility & Evidence-Based Decision Making

• Lead development of quantitative feasibility dossiers balancing data-driven insights with expert insights from global and country study team representatives. 
• Ensure feasibility assessments incorporate:
  • Disease epidemiology and real-world data.
  • Eligibility criteria modeling.
  • Competitive landscape and enrollment risk analysis.
  • Insights and context from IPSEN and Investigator staff.
  • Differences in Medical Practice across countries.
• Drive the utilization and adoption statistical models (e.g. Monte Carlo Simulations) with scenario planning. 

Data, Analytics & AI Integration

• Surveille the external environment and drive the use of advanced analytics across planning activities, including:
  • Cohort analytics and real-world data (RWD) insights.
  • AI-driven site and patient intelligence.
  • Predictive enrollment and simulation modeling.
• Partner with Data Science / Digital teams to operationalize AI-enabled planning tools.

Study Design & Optimization Support

• Ensure early integration of feasibility insights into protocol design.
• Drive optimization of inclusion/exclusion criteria, endpoint selection, and study complexity.
• Promote use of simulation and data-led decision making to reduce protocol amendments.

Country, Site & PI Strategy

• Oversee development of data/insight-driven country and site selection models based on:
  • Patient availability, performance, and regulatory factors/timelines.
  • Site capability and diversity considerations.
  • Ensure robust PI identification strategies leveraging real-world evidence and historical performance data.
  • Obtain up-to date insights on evolving landscapes to augment data (e.g. evolving Regulatory requirements, Site/Investigator performance etc.).
  • Availability and access to approved Medical Treatments in the disease areas of interest.

Enrollment & Operational Forecasting

• Lead development of Site Activation and Enrollment forecasts using simulation models.
• Ensure incorporation of key risk drivers (screen failure, dropout, competition) into planning.
• Translate forecasts into operational strategies (site activation, monitoring, supply) in conjunction with CPM/CPD to support onward activities e.g. Asset Team review.
• Define the service and oversee of planning support to applicable roles e.g. CPM to ensure high quality maintenance of appliable IT systems e.g. OnePlan.
  • Ensure simplistic data flow between applicable systems e.g. OnePlan, CTMS, Site Activation/Enrolment modeling tools. 
• Partner to create applicable clinical trial monitoring tools e.g. Statistical Models / AI to predict likelihood of reaching LPI/other milestones to plan. 

Continuous Improvement & Knowledge Management

• Build and maintain a centralized planning knowledge base, capturing lessons learned across trials.
• Ensure planning outputs are reusable and continuously improve future study design.
• Drive a “continuous planning loop” mindset across the organization; defining KPIs to measure effectiveness of the process. 

HOW - Behavioural Competencies Required

Competency

Description

Competency Behavioural Markers

Drive Vision and Strategy 

Seeing ahead to future possibilities and translating them into breakthrough strategies.

Painting a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that motivates others to action.

• Paints a compelling picture of the vision (future status quo) and strategy that motivates others to action.

Business Insights 

Applying knowledge of business and the

marketplace to advance the organization's goals

• Makes decisions based on data, facts, and figures, and considers different perspectives and the patients' voice; 
• Able to translate to objectives and setting the bar. 

Manage Complexity 

Making sense of complex, high quantity, and

sometimes contradictory information to

effectively solve problems.

• Identifies contradictory information/demands/inputs to effectively solve problems; 
• Develops and evaluates alternative scenario and solutions; 
• Able to identify what truly matters and prioritize decisions with real impact. 

Collaborates 

Building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives.

• Collaborates and communicates without boundaries, continuously removes organizational barriers; 
• Focuses on continuous improvement and learning at scale. 

Excellence in execution 

Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals. Consistently achieving results, even under tough circumstances.

• Approaches priority setting through the lens of execution; 
• Establishes clarity on goals, timelines and accountabilities; 
• Performance-driven with clear KPIs; 
• Plans and aligns effectively; 
• Promotes best practice sharing; 
• Promotes accountability. 

HOW - Knowledge & Experience

Knowledge & Experience (essential):

• 10-15 years experience in clinical trial feasibility, study design, and planning methodologies within global programs.
• 8+ years of experience in defining global strategy and driving global transformation.
• Proven experience leading data-driven clinical operations transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with Country Operations teams of different sizes and operational models across all trial types. 
• Demonstrated experience of people/project management experience, (e.g., leading project teams, operational teams, cross functional teams through operational change and transformation).
• Extensive experience in clinical development, clinical operations, quality, compliance, or related areas in the pharmaceutical or biotech industry.
• Demonstrated understanding of the clinical trial landscape and commitment to innovation, creativity, and operational excellence.
• Strong knowledge of:
  • Real-world data and analytics applications in clinical development.
  • Enrolment forecasting and simulation methodologies.
  • Site selection and feasibility best practices.
• Process and metric creation and optimisation.
• Experience managing hybrid delivery models (internal + FSP/CRO partners).
• Demonstrated ability to operate at global, cross-functional leadership level.
• Proven influencer and change agent with superior project management capabilities. Project management excellence in planning, prioritisation, problem solving and organisational skills. Used to managing multiple priorities in a dynamic environment. Agile mind-set.
• Experience in managing internal stakeholders and used to communicating across all levels of the organization including up to ELT level.
• Strong understanding of clinical systems (eTMF, CTMS, QMS, etc.) and business process design.
• Effective leadership skills and proven ability to foster team productivity and cohesiveness in changing environment is required.
• Financial acumen is required.

Knowledge & Experience (preferred):

• Experience in Site Management and Monitoring optimal.  
• Experience implementing AI/ML-driven planning or feasibility tools.
• Background in oncology and/or rare disease clinical development.
• Experience with CTMS/data platforms and integrated data environments.

Education / Certifications (essential):

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree (University/college degree) in a scientific discipline or general management is required.

Education / Certifications (preferred):

•  Advanced degree (e.g., Masters, MBA, MD, PhD , Pharm D) is preferred.

Language(s) (essential):

•  English

Language(s) (preferred):

• N/A

We are committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels heard, valued, and supported; where we embrace “The Real Us”. The value we place on different perspectives and experiences drives our commitment to inclusion and equal opportunities. When we include diverse ways of thinking, we make more thoughtful decisions and discover more innovative solutions. Together we strive to better understand the communities we serve. This means we also want to help you perform at your best when applying for a role with us. If you require any adjustments or support during the application process, please let the recruitment team know. This information will be handled with care and will not affect the outcome of your application.