You’ve done the travel, navigated through the intricacies of a number of concurrent trials, and gone above and beyond your usual hours to become the embodiment of a Senior/Lead Clinical Research Associate. You can now see yourself standing at the threshold of moving into a Clinical Project Manager (CPM) role. So, what does taking that next step involve?
The competitive landscape of the medical industry means that crossing that brink into a CPM position can be quite challenging.
Suppose you’re looking to do so successfully. In that case, it is essential to gain insight into the skills and experience needed to pursue a gratifying career as a clinical project manager in Australia and see if that promotion suits you.
Gaining experience in clinical research roles is a fundamental step in becoming a CPM. Hands-on experience in project management and entry-level roles in clinical research is crucial for acquiring the necessary skills and insights required for overseeing clinical trials effectively.
At On Q Recruitment, we’ve recruited for countless CPM roles over the years, and in this blog, we’ll share our knowledge with you to help you make the right move in your career.
Introduction to the Role
The role of a clinical project manager is vital in the healthcare industry. They oversee the planning, execution, and monitoring of clinical trials.
Clinical project managers are crucial in ensuring that clinical trials are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. To become a clinical project manager, one must acquire education, skills, clinical research and project management certifications.
A clinical project manager requires a unique blend of project management skills, in-depth clinical research and knowledge of regulations. The role involves managing clinical trials from start to finish, including planning, budgeting, and reporting.
Effective clinical project management requires technical and soft skills, including communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills. To ensure the smooth progression of clinical trials, clinical project managers must coordinate with various stakeholders, including clinical research associates, clinical trial assistants, and regulatory authorities.
Common Reasons CRAs Want to Move into Project Management
We have helped many Senior CRAs transition successfully into a CPM role. One of the questions we like to ask is, “why they are looking to take the leap and secure a promotion into a more complex role?” Here are the top reasons we have come across, some of which you may relate to:
Less travel
CRAs monitor an array of trial sites, which means travelling is a major component of the job. Early starts, late finishes, and airport delays are common, and for many, this can negatively impact their work/life balance in the long term and create pressure on family commitments.
Clinical trial managers also seek to reduce travel and improve work-life balance, similar to CRAs.
Monetary benefits
There is also a jump in pay when moving from a Senior CRA role into a CPM role. We see a range of salaries for Senior CRAs, from around $113,000 to $123,000 per year. CPMs on the other hand, tend to start at around $128,000 on the lower end of the scale, up to $150,000 at the peak.
This is often a great impetus for experienced CRAs to make the move and reap the financial rewards. Additionally, CPMs are responsible for managing the financial aspects of clinical trials, including budget management, ensuring that all spending is accurately recorded and controlled.
Variety
The crux of a Clinical Project Manager role offers greater engagement with various stakeholders as well as various trials. No two days are alike with the chance to engage in a range of therapeutic areas (from cardiovascular to oncology), and there are also opportunities to be involved with new, often life-changing products. CPMs must demonstrate strong team leadership and manage projects across various therapeutic areas.
Is a CPM Role Right for You?
Before progressing down this route, it’s important to consider whether a Clinical Project Manager position is the best option for your career. Despite its ostensible benefits, a CPM role isn’t for everyone. Over the years, we have heard from different CRAs who made the change into a CPM position and found that it failed to meet expectations. Some of the concerns we have heard include:
The fiscal rewards pale in comparison to the increased responsibility
CPMs plan and manage all aspects of a clinical trial and to be successful they must lead or mentor a team of CRAs, clinical specialists, and administrative staff. Many CPMs find managing cross-functionally, in addition to trying to motivate or guide junior CRAs, tiresome.
Add to that the stakeholder management of the study sponsor, internal directors, and those at the clinical trial site, and it’s clear that a vast range of responsibilities falls at the CPM’s feet.
Many don’t enjoy being held accountable for such a melange of teams and ultimately the overall success of a trial. CPMs are also responsible for ensuring regulatory compliance throughout the trial, safeguarding legal adherence, protecting patient security, and enhancing data analysis.
Starting as a clinical research coordinator provides essential knowledge and experience for advancing to a CPM role.
Requires a unique skillset
As a CPM, you need a healthy dose of project management competencies and an understanding of its methodologies to lead cross-functional teams effectively.
They must also demonstrate strong leadership qualities, given that they are also responsible for training team members, evaluating their performance, and spearheading solutions for any arising issues with the clinical study.
Regulatory knowledge is crucial for understanding FDA regulations and ICH guidelines, ensuring compliance, and effectively communicating with stakeholders and regulatory authorities.
The Project Management Institute offers certifications, such as the Project Management Professional (PMP), that are valuable for CPMs.
Competitive clinical trials/sites
There is now increased competition for productive clinical sites with increased cost and time constraints. Stakeholder teams from large multinational companies can exert insurmountable pressure for trials to be successful, making the working environment challenging.
Pharmaceutical companies are key in managing clinical trials, and a growing demand for skilled professionals in this sector. The importance of clinical trial management in ensuring the success of trials cannot be overstated.
Missing site interactions
CPM and CRA are very different roles, and switching from one to the other can take some getting used to. It’s not uncommon for CPMs to tell us they actually want a hybrid role of CPM/Senior CRA, as they miss the close involvement of their sites.
Being in a role you’re not happy in, where you aren’t doing what you want to be doing, can slow down your career, so consider the degree of difference between the two roles before making the move.
Hands-on experience in clinical research roles is crucial for developing the necessary skills and preparing for more complex responsibilities. Starting as a clinical trial assistant provides valuable insights into the clinical trial process, including patient management, regulatory compliance, and communication with stakeholders.
Understanding Clinical Research
Clinical research is a critical component of the healthcare industry. It aims to develop new treatments and improve patient outcomes. Clinical trials are a key part of clinical research, involving testing new drugs, devices, or treatments on human subjects.
Clinical project managers work closely with researchers, sponsors, and regulatory authorities to ensure that clinical trials are conducted by good clinical practice (GCP) and regulatory requirements.
Clinical project managers must thoroughly understand clinical research principles, including trial design, data management, and statistical analysis. They must also possess strong communication skills and be able to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, including clinical research associates, clinical trial assistants, and project managers.
By gaining hands-on experience in clinical research and staying up-to-date with industry trends and regulatory requirements, clinical project managers can advance their careers and contribute to developing new medical treatments.
How to Progress
We have seen it first-hand: there are not enough CPM roles compared to the number of people who want them in Australia. If you still think this is the career path you wish to go down, your next step is to consider how to best get into the hiring manager’s ‘yes’ pile.
There are a few strategies you can undertake that will help you stand out from the pool of Senior CRAs and aid in securing your ideal CPM role, be it in Sydney, Melbourne or anywhere else in Australia:
Qualifications and training
At a minimum, you will probably already have a bachelor’s degree in relevant fields such as life sciences, health sciences, or pharmacology. In addition to your qualification, you should have experience in writing study protocol, some level of leadership capacity as well as a solid understanding of relevant regulatory requirements.
As a Senior CRA, shadow your CPM and ask for more responsibilities to gain the project management insight you need. Completing tasks such as training team members, developing study budgets, or being the main port of call for study sponsors (all of which are within the realms of a CPM job), will put you in good stead.
If you’re viewed as already performing some of the responsibilities of a CPM, it will be easier for you to slide into the hot seat once an opportunity arises.
Specialised training programs tailored for clinical project management can also significantly enhance your skills and prepare you for the unique challenges faced in clinical trials.
Demonstrate the necessary skills
An interesting survey summed up the top skills needed to be a successful CPM:
Strong leadership skills are crucial for motivating and managing multidisciplinary teams, enabling effective coordination and team dynamics in the complex environment of clinical trials.
Additionally, obtaining the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification enhances career opportunities for CPMs by validating their expertise in clinical research management.
1. Communication skills
The Clinical Project Manager is at the epicentre of all projects and leads communication between stakeholders and team members. The correct flow of information directly affects the outcome of any trial.
2. Interpersonal attributes
As the majority of projects must galvanise various teams stemming from a multitude of departments, a CPM must be able to lead a diverse group of people, encouraging strengths and delegating effectively.
3. Vast experience
The ideal CPM boasts solid organisational skills and displays leadership qualities when planning multiple trials. By utilising their understanding of project management processes they have executed elsewhere, they will have the skills to set themselves up for success.
Clinical research management as a specialised area of study can further enhance qualifications for clinical project managers. Additionally, earning the Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) designation enhances one’s qualifications in the clinical research field.
4. A proactive attitude
Proactiveness was considered one of Australia’s most sought-after skills for a CPM. Anticipating potential problems with a trial and implementing contingencies to avoid complications is highly valued.
What You Should Look For
As you search for the ideal CPM role, take the time to decide on the direction you would like to steer your career and what industries you’re interested in working within. Remember, it is always easier to move internally within your current employer rather than persuade a new employer to take the risk.
If direct advancement to a CPM role is unattainable, consider joining an employer known for promoting SCRAs to CPMs, even if it requires an additional year as an SCRA. As a CPM, opportunities abound in clinical research organisations and non-profits.
Exploring regional or global positions is advisable in a competitive landscape. Continuous professional development through learning and certifications is vital for career progression, while attending industry conferences facilitates networking and keeps you updated on healthcare and clinical research trends.
Final Thoughts
Perhaps it’s time to flex your project management muscles and seriously consider a Clinical Project Manager position. While competition is tough for a handful of roles, the silver lining is that if you illustrate the relevant skills and experience discussed here, you will be seen as worth investing in.
Clinical research professionals should obtain relevant certifications to validate their expertise and enhance their career prospects. Additionally, networking and staying informed about industry trends greatly support career advancement in the healthcare and clinical research sectors.
