Position Summary

Aura Biosciences is the world's preeminent ocular oncology company. We are leveraging a novel targeted oncology platform to develop a potential new standard of care with a focus on ocular oncology.

We are looking to expand our Clinical Development Operations (CDO) team with this newly created position of Global Monitoring Manager / Associate Director (GMM/AD). The Global Monitoring Manager / Associate Director (GMM/AD) leads and oversees clinical monitoring activities across one or more global clinical trials, ensuring studies are conducted in compliance with the protocol, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ICH guidelines, applicable regulations, and company Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). This role is responsible for the strategic oversight of Clinical Research Associates (CRAs) and/or monitoring vendors (CROs), driving site performance, data quality, patient safety, and inspection readiness across all regions in which the trial(s) are conducted. The GMM/AD serves as the primary point of escalation for monitoring-related issues and partners closely with Clinical Trial Managers, Data Management, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Quality Assurance, and Medical Monitors to ensure trials are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Monitoring Oversight & Strategy

• Collaborating with the Director, Monitoring Strategy and Execution, they will help develop and implement the global monitoring strategy, monitoring plans, and risk-based monitoring (RBM) approach for assigned trial(s).
• Provide matrix oversight of internal CRAs and/or CRO monitoring teams across multiple countries and regions.
• Review and approve monitoring visit reports (site initiation, routine monitoring, and close-out visits) for quality, completeness, and timeliness.
• Review monitoring performance, visit reports, findings, action items, and follow-up activities to ensure appropriate quality and timeliness.
• Oversee source data verification (SDV), source data review (SDR), and centralized/remote monitoring activities to ensure data integrity.
• Identify, escalate, and drive resolution of site performance issues, protocol deviations, and data quality trends.

Site & Vendor Management

• Partner with Clinical Trial Managers and Site Management teams on site selection, feasibility, and activation timelines.
• Manage relationships with contract research organizations (CROs) and monitoring vendors, ensuring deliverables meet contractual and quality expectations.
• Conduct co-monitoring and oversight visits to assess CRA performance and ensure consistent monitoring quality across regions.
• Support site and vendor audits and inspections; ensure timely resolution of findings and CAPAs (Corrective and Preventive Actions).

Compliance, Quality & Risk Management

• Ensure all monitoring activities comply with ICH-GCP, applicable local regulations, and company SOPs/work instructions.
• Maintain inspection readiness of the Trial Master File (TMF) and monitoring documentation at all times.
• Track and report key risk indicators (KRIs) and quality metrics; escalate significant risks to study leadership in a timely manner.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of monitoring-related SOPs, tools, and training materials.

Team Leadership & Development

• Participate in recruitment, onboarding, training, and support management performance of CRA staff and/or monitoring vendor teams (for people-manager scope).
• Provide therapeutic area and protocol-specific training to CRAs and site staff.
• Foster a culture of accountability, quality, and continuous improvement within the monitoring function.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Reporting

• Serve as a key member of the cross-functional study team, representing monitoring/site management perspectives in study planning and issue resolution.
• Prepare and present monitoring status updates, enrollment trends, and site performance metrics to internal stakeholders and leadership.
• Contribute to protocol development, informed consent review, and study start-up activities from a monitoring feasibility perspective.
• Support budget and resource forecasting for monitoring activities, including CRA staffing and travel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, pharmacy, or a related field (advanced degree a plus).
• Minimum 7-10 years of clinical research experience, including significant on-site or remote monitoring experience (CRA/Senior CRA background strongly preferred); typically, 3+ years in a lead CRA, monitoring management, or comparable oversight role for AD-level.
• Demonstrated experience managing or overseeing CRA teams and/or CRO monitoring vendors on global or multi-regional trials.
• Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP, FDA, EMA, and other applicable global regulatory requirements.
• Experience with risk-based monitoring (RBM) methodologies and centralized monitoring tools.
• Proven record of ensuring data quality, patient safety, and inspection readiness across clinical trial sites.
• Excellent leadership, communication, negotiation, and critical thinking skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience across multiple therapeutic areas and trial phases (Phase I-IV) in drug, combination product and/or device clinical trials.
• Direct people-management experience with distributed, global teams.
• Familiarity with electronic data capture (EDC), electronic Trial Master File (eTMF), and clinical trial management systems (CTMS).
• Experience supporting regulatory inspections (FDA, EMA, MHRA, PMDA, etc.).
• Project management certification (PMP) or clinical research certification (CCRA, ACRP, SOCRA), a plus.

Core Competencies

• Strategic and analytical thinking with strong attention to detail
• Risk identification, escalation, and mitigation.
• Cross-functional communication and global stakeholder management
• Vendor and budget oversight
• Adaptability in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Integrity, patient-centricity, and commitment to data quality

Working Conditions

This is a remote or field-based role requiring regular travel to clinical trial sites, investigator meetings, and company offices. The role may require occasional evening or weekend availability to support global teams across time zones.

Salary & Benefit Information

Salary Range: $150,000/yr - $215,000/yr

(Placement within the listed range depends on many factors including, but not limited to: geographic location, degree, years of experience, and internal company equity)

Health insurance with FULL premium coverage

401K with company match

Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)

Competitive paid time off (PTO)

Company-paid short & long-term disability insurance and life insurance