INTERIM L&D Leader - Clinical Trials - £800 p/d (Inside IR35)

1st Executive Ltd; City of London; Hybrid; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global pharmaceutical organization is seeking an INTERIM Director of Learning & Capability Building to oversee learning initiatives in clinical trials. This role requires strong experience in L&D solutions and leadership within a matrix organization, focusing on enhancing team capability and learning frameworks. Candidates should have excellent facilitation skills and a passion for modern learning methods.

Qualifications

• Strong experience designing and implementing L&D solutions in a pharmaceutical or clinical research environment.
• Proven ability to lead in a matrix organisation and drive change through influence.
• Excellent facilitation, communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead delivery of key elements of the GCO Learning & Capability Plan.
• Assess capability needs and translate insights into targeted learning solutions.
• Design and implement learning initiatives focused on clinical trial conduct.
• Partner with GCO leadership to improve learning consistency and standardisation.
• Track training metrics to measure progress and compliance.

Skills

L&D solutions design

Leadership in a matrix organisation

Facilitation and communication

Analytical thinking

Problem-solving

Job description

INTERIM L&D Leader - Clinical Trials - £800 p/d (Inside IR35)

INTERIM Director of Learning & Capability Building (Pharmaceutical - Global Clinical Operations)

Duration: 12 months

Location: London or Stevenage (2-3 days p/w in Office)

Are you an experienced Learning & Development leader with a passion for elevating capability in clinical trial delivery? We're seeking an INTERIM Director of Learning & Capability Building to shape and lead critical development programs that strengthen how Global Clinical Operations (GCO) teams learn, grow, and execute clinical trials.

This one-year assignment offers the opportunity to make a tangible impact on GCO readiness, trial efficiency, and the future of learning across a global pharmaceutical organisation.

The Opportunity

In this senior L&D role, you will lead the design, development, and implementation of strategic learning programs that enhance the capability and confidence of teams delivering clinical trials worldwide. You'll work closely with GCO leaders to identify capability gaps, build robust and standardised learning frameworks, and create modern, scalable development experiences that empower teams to operate with excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Lead delivery of key elements of the GCO Learning & Capability Plan, ensuring programs align with organisation-wide priorities.

Assess capability needs across GCO and translate insights into targeted, high-impact learning solutions.

Design and implement learning initiatives focused on clinical trial conduct, using a blend of innovative and practical learning methodologies (e.g., workshops, micro‑learning, peer learning, digital tools).

Partner with GCO leadership to improve consistency and standardisation of learning frameworks across regions and functions.

Track and interpret training metrics to measure progress, effectiveness, and compliance-using data to refine approaches.

Promote a culture of continuous learning, knowledge sharing, and open communication across the GCO community.

Success Looks Like

Enhanced capability, confidence, and readiness of GCO staff to conduct high-quality clinical trials.

Consistent, standardised learning frameworks embedded across GCO.

Demonstrable improvements in training metrics, compliance, and knowledge transfer.

More efficient, effective learning programs that directly support operational performance in clinical trial delivery.

What You Bring

Strong experience designing and implementing L&D solutions within the pharmaceutical or clinical research environment.

Proven ability to lead in a matrix organisation and drive change through influence.

Excellent facilitation, communication, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.

A passion for capability building, modern learning methods, and supporting teams who enable scientific and clinical excellence.

Additional Information

This is a one-year temporary assignment requiring commitment for the full duration. Your work will play a key role in shaping how global clinical teams learn to deliver impactful, compliant, and efficient clinical trials.