Manager Start Up

This is the opportunity that is the strategic leader responsible for defining and driving the strategic direction of the SSU (study start up) Unit within the CDC and Adjacent Affiliates, in alignment with organisational goals. Bring your leadership, regulatory expertise and passion for quality to a team that values innovation, collaboration and patient impact as our new Start Up Manager, Türkiye.

This position is based in Istanbul, Türkiye and reports to Clinical Operations Excellence Senior Manager.

As Start-Up Manager you will be accountable for defining and implementing study start up and regulatory strategies for the CDC and adjacent affiliates, ensuring alignment with Global and Regional objectives and applicable regulatory requirements. You will lead the SSU team, manage resource and budget allocation, drive continuous improvement and ensure inspection readiness across start-up operations.

Your key responsibilities will be to:

• Define and implement study start up and regulatory strategies across the CDC and adjacent affiliates, ensuring alignment with Global/Regional goals and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee and coordinate study start up and submission activities across the clinical portfolio to meet timelines, quality standards and compliance expectations.
• Co‑develop regulatory strategy and SSU plans with Trial Managers and SSU Specialists, balancing CDC strategy and industry best practice.
• Manage strategic allocation of SSU resources and budget to optimise trial readiness and operational efficiency.
• Lead, mentor and develop the SSU team, contributing to performance management, talent reviews and succession planning while fostering empowerment and accountability.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation and a risk‑based approach to quality management for SSU and regulatory submission processes, maintaining inspection readiness.
• Partner cross‑functionally and represent Novo Nordisk externally to influence local regulations and enable efficient start‑up activities across affiliates.

Clinical Development Centre Turkey is responsible for all clinical operations activities within Turkey and project management of clinical studies conducted in, Lebanon, Algeria, Saudi Arabia Morocco and Türkiye. The team consists of 74 employees.

You are expected to hold a bachelor’s degree Life Sciences or related field, master’s degree preferred with at least 5 years of relevant experience in clinical operations, study‑start up or a related area in the pharmaceutical industry or CRO (Clinical Research Organisation).

• Strong track record in clinical trial operations with expertise in regulatory compliance and submissions
• Leadership experience as a line manager and in the management of dynamic teams
• Ability to lead and align local teams with organisational strategy and local priorities
• Capable of translating strategic visions into actionable plans to achieve measurable outcomes
• Strong project management capabilities, including organisation, planning and prioritisation
• Confident navigating ambiguity and leading others through change and uncertainty
• Demonstrated ability to ensure high‑quality execution of clinical trial activities in compliance with ICH‑GCP, regulatory requirements and internal SOPs
• Strong critical thinking and analytical skills to evaluate risks, identify opportunities, and drive smart decision‑making
• An enterprise mindset demonstrating a global business understanding, prioritising the organisation's overall success over individual or departmental interests, and promoting cross‑functional collaboration
• Ability to communicate with clarity and impact and build strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all organisational levels
• Ability to innovate, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and initiate change that drives productivity

At Novo Nordisk, we don’t wait for change. We drive it. We’re a dynamic company in an even more dynamic industry, and we know that what got us to where we are today is not necessarily what will make us successful in the future. We embrace the spirit of experimentation, striving for…