Clinical Trial Manager

Job description

Role: Clinical Trial Manager Reports to: Aggie Malloy Executive Director, Clinical Operations Department: Clinical Research Team: Development Operations Level: CTM - level 5 Location: Remote The Opportunity We’re looking for an experienced, execution-focused Clinical Trial Manager to lead the day-to-day operational delivery of one or more of Character’s Dry AMD clinical trials. You will drive study execution from startup through close-out, manage vendor and site performance, and partner closely with Medical, Data, and Regulatory to keep your studies on time, on budget, and in compliance with GCP. Your work translates directly into Character’s mission: the studies you run generate the clinical evidence that will bring new therapies to patients with retinal disease. This role is highly hands-on — you’ll be the person who knows the day-to-day status of your studies inside and out, anticipates risks before they surface, and keeps cross-functional partners and vendors aligned to a shared plan. This is a remote role reporting to Aggie Malloy (Head of Development Operations). Responsibilities Study Execution & Delivery Trial Management: Own day-to-day operational delivery of one or more clinical trials, driving timelines, quality, and issue resolution from startup through close-out Study Planning: Develop and maintain study timelines, clinical plans, risk mitigation plans, and operational trackers, escalating issues before they affect delivery Vendor & Site Oversight: Manage CROs, central labs, imaging vendors, and site performance, holding vendors accountable to scope, quality, and timelines Enrollment & Monitoring: Track enrollment, monitoring visit completion, and data quality metrics, driving corrective action where needed Compliance, Documentation & Cross-Functional Collaboration GCP Compliance: Ensure studies are conducted in accordance with GCP, the protocol, and applicable regulations Trial Master File: Maintain trial master file completeness and inspection readiness in partnership with study team members Budget Management: Track study-level spend against budget, flagging variances and supporting invoice and payment review Cross-Functional Partnership: Partner with relevant cross-functional stakeholders to keep study execution aligned with program strategy Status Reporting: Provide clear, timely updates on study status, risks, and timelines to the program leadership About You You bring strong command of clinical trial execution and are comfortable operating independently, owning a study or major workstream from startup through close-out. You anticipate problems before they become blockers, know how to hold vendors and sites accountable, and can flex between the details of day-to-day execution and the bigger picture of what a study needs to succeed. You are organized, communicative, and thrive in a fast-moving, resource-lean environment where you’re trusted to run with your studies. You build strong working relationships with cross-functional partners and external vendors alike, and you bring the judgment to know when to escalate versus solve independently. Like us, you value integrity, individual accountability, team camaraderie, open communication, and a commitment to continuous learning and operational excellence. Typically 3-5 years of Clinical Operations experience, including hands-on study startup, vendor oversight, and compliance management Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree helpful but not required Strong command of clinical trial execution across study phases; ophthalmology or retina experience strongly preferred Proven experience managing CROs, vendors, and sites, with a solid understanding of GCP and clinical trial regulations; regulatory agency inspection experience preferred Ability to lead cross-functional study teams and interface directly with external vendors and sites Strong organizational and communication skills; able to balance competing priorities across studies High integrity, high reliability, and comfort operating with a high degree of independence Compensation & Benefits The annual pay range for this full-time position is $128,000-$150,000 + equity + benefits. Actual compensation packages are based on a wide array of factors unique to each candidate including but not limited to skill set, years and depth of experience, certifications and work location. Benefits include a competitive salary, strong equity incentives, medical, dental, vision, 401(k), and an accrued paid time off policy. Character is committed to recruiting, developing, and supporting colleagues from all backgrounds. We embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion as an integral part of our culture. EEO Statement Character Biosciences is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. Work Authorization Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. About Character Biosciences Character Biosciences is a precision medicine company pioneering targeted therapies for ophthalmology. Our patient data platform integrates genomics with deep, longitudinal clinical and imaging data, enabling us to uncover genetic drivers of disease progression, advance novel therapeutics, and define patient stratification strategies that improve clinical success. Our interdisciplinary team spans human genetics, clinical science, data science and engineering, and drug discovery and development. We are advancing two programs for Dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) into the clinic, with additional discovery-stage programs underway. Founded in 2018, Character has raised capital from leading investors at the intersection of healthcare and technology, including an oversubscribed $110+ million Series B in 2025 co-led by aMoon and Luma Group, with participation from Bausch + Lomb, Innovation Endeavors, Sanofi Ventures, Catalio Capital Management, S32, KdT Ventures, and Jefferson Life Sciences. We also maintain a multi-target drug discovery collaboration with Bausch + Lomb to develop innovative precision medicines for AMD.