What does a Clinical Project Manager do?

As a CPM (Clinical Project Manager) in clinical operation, you will be responsible for leading and setting up clinical studies. You might be responsible for medicines, medical nutrition, or medical devices at a medical company, training hospital, or clinical research organization (CRO). You often work with an assistant clinical project manager to manage a clinical team of:

You are also responsible for managing vendors, such as central laboratory suppliers. You provide updates to clients and sponsors about the status of your projects. You will make sure that your project is on-time, within budget, and of the highest quality as a CPM.

CPMs can also be called Clinic Trial Managers or Clinical Studies Managers (CSM). CPM job vacancies can be called "Clinical Trial Project Manager" or "Research Project Manager Certification". You may also find other job titles, such as Senior Clinical Project manager, Junior Clinical Project manager or Freelance Clinical Manager.

Have a look at the Clinical Project Manager job vacancies to find the right fit.

Are you interested in a position as a Clinical Project Manager?

What are your responsibilities as a Clinical Project Manager

A CPM job involves a variety of responsibilities. They will vary depending on the company but generally include:

  • Initiating and managing clinical projects according to all applicable guidelines, legislation, and SOPs.

  • Monitoring the clinical trial's progress against the project plan, performance indicators for quality, and budget.

  • In collaboration with other stakeholders, identify and develop plans to mitigate risk.

  • Assisting the sponsor and other members of the project team as needed.

  • Research-specific documents, trial masters files (TMF), and electronic trial masters files (eTMF) can be created.

  • Reporting progress to the project team and other stakeholders

  • Negotiating contracts with suppliers and research centres;

  • Managing project finances according to the budget and sponsor contract;

  • Contributing to budgets and proposals, as well as in bid defense meetings.

Need more details? Check out our Clinical Project Manager vacancies

What skills and education do you need to be a Clinical Project Manager

These are the CPM skills you will need and your educational requirements.

  • A bachelor's or master's degree is awarded in Life Science.

  • Excellent communication, negotiation, and organizational skills

  • Good communication skills in English

  • Experience with budget management and managing a team

  • Leadership skills - A 'helicopter view' of leadership

  • Knowledge of good clinical practice (GCP), and project management (PMP) certification.

This would give you an advantage if you have experience as a CRA.

What salary range can you make as a Clinical Project Manager

The size of your project(s) and your experience will determine the salary you earn as a CPM. Payroll in the Netherlands can range from EUR60,000 per annum to over EUR100,000. You may also receive benefits like a performance-based bonus, or a lease vehicle.