Senior Clinical Research Associate

Senior CRA - United Kingdom

Remote | Global CRO | Flexible Monitoring Model | No Fixed Site Visit KPIs

A CRA role designed around quality, not quotas.

We're partnering with a leading global CRO to appoint an experienced Senior Clinical Research Associate to support a growing portfolio of clinical studies across the UK.

This opportunity stands apart from many CRA positions currently on the market. Rather than operating against fixed site visit targets, monitoring activity is driven by study risk and site requirements, allowing CRAs to focus on site quality, patient safety and meaningful investigator relationships rather than unnecessary travel.

Where possible, sites are regionally allocated to support work-life balance and reduce time spent away from home. The organisation also offers a structured mentoring programme, extensive professional development opportunities and clear progression routes into Lead CRA, Clinical Trial Management and broader Clinical Operations positions.

Whether your long-term goal is leadership, project management or specialist operational expertise, dedicated support is provided to help you achieve it.

What Makes This Different?

One of the most common frustrations we hear from experienced CRAs is being measured on the quantity of site visits rather than the quality of study delivery.

This organisation has adopted a genuinely risk-based monitoring approach, meaning monitoring schedules are driven by study requirements rather than arbitrary visit targets. As a result, Senior CRAs have greater autonomy, more meaningful site interactions and improved work-life balance.

Sites are geographically allocated wherever possible to reduce travel burden, and the organisation actively invests in employee development through formal mentoring, leadership training and personalised career development plans.

Whether your long-term aspirations are Lead CRA, Clinical Trial Manager, Project Management, Line Management or another specialist area within Clinical Research, the infrastructure is in place to help you get there.

Why Join?

• Fully remote working model
• Regional site allocation where possible
• No fixed site visit KPIs
• Risk-based monitoring approach
• Dedicated buddy and mentor programme
• Structured career development plans
• Internal leadership development opportunities
• Exposure to both FSP and multi-sponsor projects
• Comprehensive healthcare and insurance benefits
• Home-working allowance and equipment support
• Global CRO stability with strong employee retention

Role Overview

• As a Senior CRA, you will take ownership of investigative sites throughout the clinical trial lifecycle, ensuring studies are conducted in accordance with protocol requirements, ICH-GCP guidelines and applicable regulatory standards.
• You will be responsible for proactively identifying site risks, developing strong relationships with investigators and site personnel, and acting as a key operational representative between sponsor and site.
• You may also be involved in mentoring less experienced CRAs and supporting oversight activities across study teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct qualification, site selection, initiation, routine monitoring and close-out visits across assigned studies.
• Perform comprehensive source data verification (SDV) and source data review (SDR) activities to ensure data quality and patient safety.
• Evaluate site performance, protocol compliance and overall study conduct.
• Identify, investigate and escalate quality issues, protocol deviations and site risks appropriately.
• Review informed consent processes and ensure patient protection procedures are maintained.
• Verify investigational product accountability, storage requirements and site documentation.
• Ensure investigator site files remain inspection-ready throughout the study lifecycle.
• Support sites with recruitment, retention and study execution strategies.
• Review electronic CRFs and collaborate with sites to resolve data queries efficiently.
• Produce high-quality monitoring reports and follow-up correspondence within required timelines.
• Build effective working relationships with investigators, study coordinators and key opinion leaders.
• Participate in investigator meetings, project meetings and sponsor governance discussions.
• Support audit and inspection readiness activities.
• Share best practice across study teams and provide mentorship and guidance to junior CRAs where appropriate.

Experience & Requirements

• Previous independent monitoring experience gained within a CRO, FSP or sponsor environment.
• Extensive experience conducting routine monitoring visits across Phase I-IV clinical trials.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, regulatory requirements and risk-based monitoring methodologies.
• Proven ability to manage sites independently with minimal oversight.
• Experience managing complex or underperforming sites preferred.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Ability to identify quality concerns and implement appropriate mitigation plans.
• Comfortable working within global, matrix-driven study teams.
• Oncology experience would be advantageous but is not essential.
• Full UK driving licence and willingness to travel throughout the UK as required.