Commercial & Academic Clinical Research Director

Overview
The Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) is seeking a Commercial and Academic Clinical Research Director to lead the strategic development, integration, and operational excellence of its clinical research activity within one of Europe's most dynamic biomedical ecosystems. Operating across a highly structured and multidisciplinary environment, the selected candidate will lead a Directorate embedded within VHIR's Scientific Management Area. This Directorate brings together a comprehensive portfolio of specialised units dedicated to the delivery of clinical research, including Clinical Core Facilities Coordination, a Clinical Trials Operations Unit and a Clinical Trials Economic Budget Unit.

The role sits within a broader institutional structure composed of Management (Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Digital Transformation), Scientific Strategy, Competitive Research, Innovation and Business Development, and Communication, ensuring strong cross‑functional alignment and institutional impact. The selected candidate will strengthen Vall d'Hebron's position as a leading clinical research centre, promote collaborations with industry and academic partners, and ensure excellence in the delivery of commercial and academic clinical trials.

Main Responsibilities

Define, lead, and implement the overall strategy for both commercial and academic clinical research at VHIR, strengthening the institutional positioning of the Vall d'Hebron Campus as a national and international reference centre for clinical research.

Promote the development of strategic partnerships with the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, as well as other stakeholders in the healthcare sector, while fostering collaboration with academic institutions and public and private organisations, with the aim of enhancing activity acquisition, innovation, and the scientific, healthcare, and economic impact of the institution.

Ensure operational excellence, sustainability, and cross‑functional coordination of all activities related to clinical trials conducted through VHIR, including direct oversight of the units responsible for economic and operational management of clinical trials (Clinical Trial Budgeting and Feasibility Assessment; Clinical Trial Operations Management), and the functional coordination of the associated support units (Clinical Research Support; Academic Research Organisation; Ethics Committee Support; and Biobank).

Education and Qualifications

Required

Bachelor's degree, preferably in Life Sciences or Healthcare.

Master's degree in Management or an MBA.

Fluency in Catalan and Spanish (C2) and professional proficiency in English (C1).

Training in clinical trial monitoring or equivalent professional experience.

Training in the regulatory and quality requirements governing clinical trials and clinical research, including international regulations, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and related standards.

Desirable

Ph D, MD, or Pharm D degree, or equivalent clinical training.

Training or qualifications in Healthcare Management.

Experience and knowledge in the field of clinical research, particularly in end‑to‑end management of clinical trials, including study design and execution.

Experience in biomedical research within the healthcare sector.

Experience in project management and leadership of complex, multidisciplinary environments.

Strong negotiation, influencing skills, business acumen, strategic decision‑making capabilities, communication, and institutional relationship management.

Strong knowledge of key stakeholders and sectors involved in clinical research, the biomedical industry, and the biotechnology sector.

Labour Conditions

Working hours:

Full‑time (37.5 hours per week). Starting date:
As soon as possible. Gross annual salary:
Remuneration determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale. Contract type:
Permanent contract.

What We Offer

Incorporation into the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in…