Director / Senior Manager, Pharmacy - Clinical Research Unit, Madison, WI

Clinical Trials Director / Senior Pharmacy Manager

What if your pharmacy leadership helped new medicines take their first step in human clinical trials?

Fortrea, formerly Covance, is one of the world’s leading early phase research organizations, delivering first-in-human and early development studies across a global network.

Our Madison, WI Clinical Research Unit brings together clinic and cGMP pharmacy under one roof – offering a modern, integrated environment supported by experienced teams and a strong access to academic partnerships and local patient populations.

If Madison, WI is where new medicines begin their journey, this role exists to lead the pharmacy function that makes that possible.

As our next Clinical Trials Director / Senior Pharmacy Manager, you will combine people leadership with hands‑on production expertise, leading teams that prepare and deliver investigational medicinal products (IMP) during live clinical research.

This is a full‑time role, based on-site in Madison, WI.

WHY IS THIS JOB DIFFERENT?

This is a rare opportunity to lead pharmacy operations at the front line of first-in-human research.

At Fortrea Madison, WI:

• Pharmacy, clinic, and quality operate side-by-side in real time.
• You lead teams preparing IMPs, steps away from dosing.
• Your decisions directly influence patient safety and study success.

This is pharmacy leadership with immediate, visible impact.

IN THIS JOB YOU WILL

Lead and develop a high‑performing team

• Manage Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians, setting clear expectations and standards.
• Recruit, onboard, and develop talent as the pharmacy function grows.
• Build a culture of accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.

Own pharmacy operations for Phase I studies

• Plan and oversee daily operations supporting active trials.
• Ensure readiness for early morning dosing and high-tempo study execution.
• Maintain control and continuity in a fast-paced environment.

Maintain hands‑on production leadership

• Expand and apply expertise in clean room pharmacy production.
• Step into operations as needed to support delivery and continuity.
• Lead from the front during complex or time‑critical activity.

Ensure GMP and regulatory compliance

• Own compliance within GMP aligned, regulated operations.
• Oversee clean room standards, equipment, and environmental controls.
• Lead inspection readiness and support audits with Quality teams.

Enable safe first‑in‑human delivery

• Ensure accurate and safe preparation of investigational products.
• Support teams operating at the highest level of clinical risk.
• Make decisions that directly impact participant safety and outcomes.

WHAT YOU BRING

Education & licensing

• Registered Pharmacist/PharmD with appropriate state license

or

• Non-pharmacist leader with strong clean room production experience (ISO 7/8 environments)

Leadership & industry experience

• Significant experience in regulated pharmacy environments.
• Proven success leading, developing, and managing pharmacy teams.

Clean‑room and production environment expertise

• Hands‑on experience in clean room pharmacy operations (hospital, institutional, or research settings).
• Strong understanding of clean room classifications (e.g., Grade C/D, Annex 1 alignment).
• Experience with aseptic, sterile, or non‑sterile production.
• Ability to operate in environments requiring strict contamination control and discipline.

Preferred:

• GMP experience.
• Clinical research or Phase I experience.

If you want to apply your pharmacy leadership at the point where new medicines first reach humans, we’d like to hear from you.

#LI

Learn more about our EEO & Accommodations request here.