Associate Director, Clinical Research

Lundbeck is in an exciting phase as a neuroscience based focused innovator with an exciting pipeline with potential to provide transformative treatments to patients with high unmet needs within neuro-speciality and neuro-rare diseases. The pipeline assets provide opportunities for first-in-class or best-in-class future treatment options.

Clinical development in China is responsible to provide strategic input on the China development strategy and aligning strategies with global objectives and plans, further to ensure execution on the trials relevant to China ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, working in close collaboration with Local HCPs, the CROs, and global cross-functional internal stakeholders.

The role will report to HoD Clinical Development who manages a team of clinical development professionals, driving performance, building capabilities, and contributing to Lundbeck’s mission of improving the lives of people living with brain diseases. The role has competency and aspirations to develop as a potential future successor to the role of HoD CD.

Success in this role requires:

• Strong scientific credibility combined with strategic thinking
• Ability to operate effectively in a complex, global matrix organization
• Project leadership presence with the ability to influence and align diverse stakeholders
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with high personal accountability
• Passion for neuroscience and improving outcomes for patients

Major responsibilities

• Drive strategic and scientific expertise into China clinical development strategy and plans, ensuring alignment with global development strategies and portfolio priorities
• Provide functional expertise on trial execution activities in China
• Act as a trusted clinical partner within Clinical Focus Teams (CFT), shaping program strategy and execution through strong scientific and local insights
• Strengthen external engagement by building credible and long-term partnerships with KOLs, investigators, and other key stakeholders through scientific interactions for new pipeline strategy planning and via clinical trial execution activities
• Demonstrate end-to-end accountability for China-related clinical development activities, including proactive risk identification and mitigation and via support and coach of team members
• Support local/global team to provide therapeutic area input and contribute to clinical sections of regulatory documents (e.g., Health Authority briefing books, safety updates, submission dossiers, and responses to Health Authorities) and support HA interactions.
• Lead and influence cross-functional collaboration as China Project Team (CNPT) lead, ensuring integrated and efficient planning & execution
• Provide functional expertise to support other ad hoc cross functional activities
• Champion continuous improvement and innovation, identifying opportunities to optimize processes and ways of working, including implementation of AI in our ways of working

Qualifications & Professional Experience

• Advanced degree (MD, PhD, or Master’s) in Medicine, Life Sciences, or related discipline
• Minimum 10 years of experience in clinical development or clinical research within the pharmaceutical/biotech industry
• Solid experience in Neurology and/or CNS drug development, and/or rare disease is strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience contributing to clinical development strategies and execution of clinical trials across phases
• Strong knowledge of global and local regulatory requirements, GCP, and drug development processes
• Proven ability to work effectively in cross-functional, matrixed, and within global environments
• Experience engaging with external stakeholders including KOLs, investigators, and regulatory authorities
• Prior people management experience or aspiration to take on leadership responsibilities
• Fluency in Chinese and English, with strong scientific communication and presentation skills

Enterprise Mindset & Behaviour Expectations

• Enterprise Mindset:
  Demonstrates a holistic, enterprise-wide perspective by prioritizing organizational goals over functional or local interests. Actively contributes to global strategies while ensuring strong local relevance and execution excellence.
• Accountability & Ownership:
  Takes end-to-end ownership of responsibilities, delivering high-quality outcomes with a strong sense of urgency and integrity. Proactively identifies risks and ensures timely escalation and resolution.
• Adaptability & Resilience:
  Thrives in a dynamic and evolving environment, effectively navigating ambiguity and change. Demonstrates flexibility in adjusting priorities and approaches to meet business and patient needs.
• Curiosity & Continuous Learning:
  Maintains a strong learning mindset, actively seeking new scientific insights, innovative approaches, and external perspectives to enhance clinical development strategies and execution.
• Collaboration & Influence:
  Builds strong, trust-based relationships across functions, geographies, and external stakeholders. Influences without authority and fosters alignment to drive shared objectives.
• Patient-Centricity:
  Keeps patients at the center of decision-making, ensuring that development strategies and trial execution ultimately deliver meaningful outcomes for people living with brain diseases.