5 Clinical Director jobs in South Africa

Want to do the Best Work of Your Life?

Working at Signant Health puts you at the very heart of the world's most exciting sector - a high-growth, dynamic company in an extraordinary industry. We're radically changing the clinical trial landscape, driving change through the technology and innovations we create and the services we deliver to our customers.

Where do you fit in?

The Associate Director Clinical supports strategic initiatives within the Science and Medicine department and DHS group, contributing to the alignment of scientific activities with business objectives and corporate growth strategies. The Associate Director is responsible for supporting the Science and Medicine leadership team in implementing scientific initiatives and key departmental projects. The Associate Director contributes to thought leadership, ensures scientific quality, and represents the company as a scientific expert in selected forums.

As part of our team, your main responsibilities will be:

• Support strategic initiatives for the Science and Medicine department and DHS group, contributing to the alignment of scientific activities with business objectives and corporate goals. Play a critical role in accelerating business development by collaborating closely with the Sales team to define and execute high-impact strategies that increase win rates and secure new opportunities.
• Manage and develop junior clinical scientists, fostering a culture of scientific excellence, innovation, and professional growth.
• Support the Director and leadership team by contributing to departmental planning, cross-functional initiatives, and key projects.
• Contribute to thought leadership initiatives, including scientific publications, presentations, and external collaborations to enhance the company's scientific reputation.
• Work with business development, marketing, and commercial teams to support partnerships, client engagements, and scientific communications.
• Ensure scientific and clinical quality in project execution and interpretation, providing guidance on clinical and scientific issues and provide review of methodologies and deliverables.
• Represent the company at selected Investigator's meetings, scientific conferences, industry meetings, and with stakeholders, serving as a scientific expert.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including Operations, Product Development, and Regulatory Affairs, to implement clinical and scientific activities aligned with business goals.
• Monitor scientific trends, industry developments, and competitive activities to inform departmental priorities and support the company's scientific position.
• Support strategies to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and industry standards while maintaining scientific integrity across projects.

Decision making and influence:

• Exercises sound decision-making on scientific implementation and prioritization to balance scientific quality with business objectives
• Influences project teams by effectively communicating scientific concepts and their business implications
• Provides reliable scientific guidance that informs departmental initiatives and project direction
• Contributes to innovation through evaluation of relevant technologies, methodologies, and therapeutic approaches
• Develops relationships with scientific peers, academic institutions, and industry partners to support company's scientific initiatives

You'll need to bring
:

Essential:

• MD, PhD, PharmD, or equivalent advanced degree in a relevant scientific or medical field.
• Minimum of 7+ years of experience in clinical research, pharmaceutical industry, or healthcare.
• At least 3 years in a scientific or clinical management role.
• Demonstrated record of scientific contributions and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Solid understanding of clinical research methodologies and industry practices.
• Developing leadership abilities with experience managing scientific professionals.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Analytical thinking and developing business awareness.
• Collaborative approach with strong interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to scientific integrity and ethical standards.

Desirable:

• Experience in therapeutic areas aligned with company's focus (e.g., CNS, oncology, neurology, rare diseases)
• Experience with digital health technologies, AI applications in clinical research, or innovative research methodologies
• Experience in cross-functional project leadership
• Background in clinical development or medical affairs
• Understanding of regulatory requirements in clinical research

Does this sound like something you'd like to explore? Then we'd love to hear from you

Please apply below. We review and respond to every application, keep an eye on your inbox for our reply.

Please note that Signant does not accept unsolicited resumes from Third Party vendors.

We are seeking an accomplished
Director of Clinical Operations
to drive execution of clinical programs, ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and strategic alignment with business objectives. This role oversees the planning, conduct, and delivery of clinical trials across multiple therapeutic areas, managing cross-functional teams and external partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end clinical trial operations, from study start-up to close-out, ensuring adherence to timelines, budgets, and quality standards.
• Oversee vendor selection, contract negotiation, and performance management of CROs and third-party partners.
• Develop and optimize operational strategies, SOPs, and best practices to ensure efficiency and compliance.
• Partner with clinical development, regulatory, medical, and commercial teams to align operational delivery with corporate objectives.
• Ensure compliance with GCP, ICH guidelines, and local/global regulatory requirements.
• Manage clinical operations staff, providing leadership, mentorship, and performance management.
• Oversee risk management, resource allocation, and issue resolution throughout trial execution.
• Contribute to long-range planning, portfolio prioritization, and operational forecasting.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in life sciences, healthcare, or related field (PhD, MD, PharmD, MSc preferred).
• 10+ years of progressive experience in clinical operations, with at least 5 years in leadership roles.
• Proven track record in global trial execution across multiple phases and therapeutic areas.
• Strong knowledge of GCP, ICH, and regulatory frameworks in major markets.
• Exceptional leadership, stakeholder management, and vendor oversight capabilities.
• Ability to operate strategically while ensuring hands-on operational delivery.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Preferred Experience

• Background in biotech, pharma, or CRO environments.
• Experience with digital clinical trial solutions and decentralized trial models.
• Demonstrated success scaling clinical operations functions in a high-growth setting.

Job Title: Medical Director, Clinical Development (1-year fixed term at 60% FTE)

Location: Cape Town South Africa Preferred; Remote South Africa, Nairobi, Kenya considered

Reports to: Vice President, Head of Clinical Development

Are you an experienced Clinical Leader, who is eager to help translate science into global health solutions?

IAVI is seeking a Medical Director to serve as a leader within a clinical trial team. The Medical Director will help design clinical trial protocols as part of clinical development plans for products in development and will ensure clinical trial sites are executing studies with the highest standards of scientific integrity, safety, and ethics. The Medical Director serves as part of a team responsible for clinical studies for vaccines and monoclonal antibody candidates for prevention of emerging infectious diseases such as TB, HIV and emerging infectious disease (EID) candidates such as Lassa fever, Marburg virus disease and Ebola virus disease.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Trials and Observational Studies

• Ensure all clinical activities conducted are aligned with the overall program insofar the preparation and execution of assigned clinical research studies.
• Develop strategic and detailed implementation plans and procedures for assigned clinical research studies/trials.
• Provide oversight of clinical protocols, consent forms, data collection instruments, and preparation of suitable educational materials and regulatory documents for clinical research studies/trials.
• Provide advice on clinical trials and epidemiological studies, particularly to the preclinical groups on the design of studies and their relationship to the overall clinical development plan, as appropriate.
• Yield data required for design of efficacy trials appropriate to the populations for which vaccine candidates are designed, and/or which yields specimens for research that may elucidate the natural history, pathogenesis, and immune control of infection relevant for vaccine design.
• Lead Protocol Teams for assigned clinical studies.
• Lead communication with the Principal Investigators and select external stakeholders, as deemed appropriate for assigned projects.
• Design analysis plans with attention to endpoint selection and measurements, adverse event management, and data collection, and conduct of the interim and final analysis meetings.
• Chair and manage the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT), prepare the PSRT Charter and participate in the review of blinded safety data for assigned projects.
• Coordinate the selection of Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) Members, and preparation of the IDMC Charter in partnership with and under leadership of Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Act as IDMC liaison, as directed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Act as medical monitor for the conduct of clinical trials with a focus on safety data monitoring, as will be instructed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Provide oversight of CRO partner medical monitoring for studies where medical monitoring is outsourced.
• Prepare interim and final reports in collaboration with the site investigators and other members of IAVI Clinical Development for clinical research studies/trials involved in.
• Collaborate with site investigators to collect, analyze, and report the data from studies in scientific meetings and publications as directed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Support activities and contribute to design Clinical Development Plans, in collaboration with other members of Clinical Development and clinical investigators, including late phase clinical trials, if candidates are successful.
• Participate in the development and implementation of training activities relevant to projects involved in.

Other duties

• Maintain in-depth medical/scientific knowledge about the assigned therapeutic area or product/ project involved in, including any unique properties involving both disease and products for which the incumbent is responsible.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the VP, Head of Clinical Development.

Education and Work Experience:

• A Medical degree is required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in clinical research is required.
• Board certification or equivalent in Medicine, Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, or pharmaceutical medicine is highly desired.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in preparing for and executing clinical trials or studies in international resource constrained settings is required.
• Knowledge and experience with implementation of Good Clinical Practices (GCP) in clinical trials conduct is required.
• Experience leading and managing Medical and Clinical teams in clinical trial research is preferred.
• Understanding of ethics and regulatory landscape in Africa is required.
• Experience working in developing countries, especially Africa region is required.
• Experience developing and implementing site preparation activities for clinical trials, particularly in developing countries is required.
• Diplomatic skills, excellent judgment, proven ability to present to all audiences ranging from high level scientific audiences to lay community groups.
• Strong organizational skills, resourceful, and mature self-starter, with proven experience in building a strong, coherent project and operations in resource poor settings with limited infrastructure.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 35% of the time is required.

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions.
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues' experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI's Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Compensation And Benefits Information:

Salary is paid in local currency, and is commensurate and competitive with the local labor market. Please note, there may be some variation based on experience level.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the
Know Your Rights
notice from the Department of Labor.

Position Description

Job Title: Medical Director, Clinical Development (1-year fixed term at 60% FTE)

Location: Cape Town South Africa Preferred; Remote South Africa, Nairobi Kenya considered

Reports to: Vice President, Head of Clinical Development

Are you an experienced Clinical Leader, who is eager to help translate science into global health solutions?

IAVI is seeking a Medical Director to serve as a leader within a clinical trial team. The Medical Director will help design clinical trial protocols as part of clinical development plans for products in development and will ensure clinical trial sites are executing studies with the highest standards of scientific integrity, safety, and ethics. The Medical Director serves as part of a team responsible for clinical studies for vaccines and monoclonal antibody candidates for prevention of emerging infectious diseases such as TB, HIV and emerging infectious disease (EID) candidates such as Lassa fever, Marburg virus disease and Ebola virus disease.

Key Responsibilities:

Clinical Trials and Observational Studies

• Ensure all clinical activities conducted are aligned with the overall program insofar the preparation and execution of assigned clinical research studies.
• Develop strategic and detailed implementation plans and procedures for assigned clinical research studies/trials.
• Provide oversight of clinical protocols, consent forms, data collection instruments, and preparation of suitable educational materials and regulatory documents for clinical research studies/trials.
• Provide advice on clinical trials and epidemiological studies, particularly to the preclinical groups on the design of studies and their relationship to the overall clinical development plan, as appropriate.
• Yield data required for design of efficacy trials appropriate to the populations for which vaccine candidates are designed, and/or which yields specimens for research that may elucidate the natural history, pathogenesis, and immune control of infection relevant for vaccine design.
• Lead Protocol Teams for assigned clinical studies.
• Lead communication with the Principal Investigators and select external stakeholders, as deemed appropriate for assigned projects.
• Design analysis plans with attention to endpoint selection and measurements, adverse event management, and data collection, and conduct of the interim and final analysis meetings.
• Chair and manage the Protocol Safety Review Team (PSRT), prepare the PSRT Charter and participate in the review of blinded safety data for assigned projects.
• Coordinate the selection of Independent Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) Members, and preparation of the IDMC Charter in partnership with and under leadership of Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Act as IDMC liaison, as directed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Act as medical monitor for the conduct of clinical trials with a focus on safety data monitoring, as will be instructed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.
• Provide oversight of CRO partner medical monitoring for studies where medical monitoring is outsourced.
• Prepare interim and final reports in collaboration with the site investigators and other members of IAVI Clinical Development for clinical research studies/trials involved in.
• Collaborate with site investigators to collect, analyze, and report the data from studies in scientific meetings and publications as directed by Head of Clinical Development or delegate.

• Support activities and contribute to design Clinical Development Plans, in collaboration with other members of Clinical Development and clinical investigators, including late phase clinical trials, if candidates are successful.

• Participate in the development and implementation of training activities relevant to projects involved in.

Other duties

• Maintain in-depth medical/scientific knowledge about the assigned therapeutic area or product/ project involved in, including any unique properties involving both disease and products for which the incumbent is responsible.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the VP, Head of Clinical Development.

Education and Work Experience:

• A Medical degree is required.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in clinical research is required.
• Board certification or equivalent in Medicine, Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases, or pharmaceutical medicine is highly desired.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Experience in preparing for and executing clinical trials or studies in international resource constrained settings is required.
• Knowledge and experience with implementation of Good Clinical Practices (GCP) in clinical trials conduct is required.
• Experience leading and managing Medical and Clinical teams in clinical trial research is preferred.
• Understanding of ethics and regulatory landscape in Africa is required.
• Experience working in developing countries, especially Africa region is required.
• Experience developing and implementing site preparation activities for clinical trials, particularly in developing countries is required.
• Diplomatic skills, excellent judgment, proven ability to present to all audiences ranging from high level scientific audiences to lay community groups.
• Strong organizational skills, resourceful, and mature self-starter, with proven experience in building a strong, coherent project and operations in resource poor settings with limited infrastructure.
• Willingness to travel up to approximately 35% of the time is required.

Organizational Overview:

IAVI is a nonprofit scientific research organization dedicated to addressing urgent, unmet global health challenges including HIV and tuberculosis. Our mission is to translate scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions. Through scientific and clinical research in Africa, India, Europe, and the U.S., IAVI is pioneering the development of biomedical innovations designed for broad global access. We develop vaccines and antibodies in and for the developing world and seek to accelerate their introduction in low-income countries. IAVI programs and partnerships are grounded in the regions of the world where the disease burden is the greatest, and our approach emphasizes sustainability. Our network of clinical research center partners in Africa and India helps strengthen in-country research capacity and supports the training and education of the next generation of scientists. The global impact of our science includes fundamental contributions to understanding the biology of HIV infection, which IAVI and others are applying toward advancing vaccine science and immunology. IAVI accelerates scientific discovery and development by fostering unique collaborations among academia, industry, local communities, governments, and funders to explore new and better ways to address public health threats that disproportionately affect people living in poverty. Our global reach, including a clinical research network in five countries in sub-Saharan Africa and in India, has allowed us to make fundamental contributions to understanding the epidemiology, transmission, virology, and immunology of HIV. This work played a key role in facilitating the design of promising HIV vaccine candidates, as well as the discovery of broadly neutralizing antibodies that are now being advanced as promising approaches for HIV prevention. Our integrated capabilities in vaccine and antibody discovery, development, and clinical research take advantage of bio-pharmaceutical industry expertise to accelerate the development and testing of prevention methods for HIV and other diseases. Through the Product Development Center, we support external researchers with technical and scientific expertise to accelerate the development of their own products.

IAVI CORE VALUES:

• Dedication to the Mission: We are committed to the translation of scientific discoveries into affordable, globally accessible public health solutions.
• Innovative Evolution: We are committed to solving complex problems in creative and innovative ways, learning from our mistakes and successes and never giving up
• Integrity: We are committed to meeting the highest ethical and professional standards in everything we do and to taking responsibility for our actions to earn respect
• Collaboration: We are committed to embracing diversity, the power of global teamwork and the belief that by working as one we can make a difference

Disclaimer: Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required of personnel so classified. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at-will" relationship. IAVI is an equal opportunity employer and applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.

IAVI IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER actively committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive global organization. IAVI believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a representative candidate pool. At IAVI, we celebrate the spectrum of colleagues' experiences and believe that dedication to our mission above all is essential to our success as a scientific global non-profit. IAVI upholds these principles through IAVI's Global Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Compensation And Benefits Information:

Salary is paid in local currency, and is commensurate and competitive with the local labor market. Please note, there may be some variation based on experience level. In addition, this position offers competitive benefits including: generous retirement savings plan employer contributions; competitive health, dental and vision insurance plans; competitive paid time off policy; potential for annual bonuses based on performance; and other benefits. More information can be found on IAVI's career page.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.