Clinical Trial Manager (Contract)

Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subsidiary of Eli Lilly and Company, is a clinical-stage company developing orexin receptor 2 (OX2R) agonists as a new class of medicines for the treatment of narcolepsy and potentially other sleep-wake disorders. Centessa’s lead investigational candidate – cleminorexton (formerly ORX750) – is being developed for narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia. Centessa's OX2R agonist portfolio includes additional clinical and preclinical-stage assets with potential utility across a broader range of neurological, neurodegenerative, and neuropsychiatric conditions.

 Headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts, Centessa was recognized as a Great Place to Work® in 2026.

Description of Role

Centessa is seeking a (contract to hire) Clinical Trial Manager to lead the execution of mid‑ to late‑stage global clinical studies from study start‑up through close‑out and clinical study report. This role is a temporary position with the potential to convert to a permanent role, responsible for day‑to‑day trial management, coordinating internal cross‑functional teams and overseeing CROs and external vendors to ensure studies are delivered on time, within budget, and in compliance with quality and regulatory standards. This role requires hands‑on involvement in clinical trial execution, proactive identification and resolution of operational issues, and accountability for study performance metrics and deliverable quality. The CTM also contributes to operational planning, risk assessment, and continuous process improvement in collaboration with study team leadership. 

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute mid‑ to late‑stage CNS clinical trials from study start‑up through close‑out, ensuring operational excellence, high data quality, and compliance with protocol, GCP, and global regulatory requirements.
• Lead day‑to‑day clinical trial operations, coordinating cross‑functional partners (Clinical Development, Data Management, Biostatistics, Regulatory, Safety) to ensure efficient trial execution and alignment to program objectives.
• Oversee CROs and external vendors supporting CNS clinical trials, including co‑monitoring activities, to ensure delivery against scope of work, timelines, budget, and quality expectations.
• Drive critical study milestones, including site activation, enrollment progress, patient retention, data cleaning, and database lock, proactively addressing operational challenges common to CNS trials.
• Review and approve CRO‑ and vendor‑generated plans and study documentation, ensuring alignment with protocol, regulatory expectations, and Centessa quality standards.
• Monitor study progress and performance using operational metrics and tools, maintaining dashboards, timelines, and financial tracking, and providing clear, timely status updates to study teams and management.
• Identify, assess, and manage operational risks, proposing practical mitigation strategies and supporting informed decision‑making to minimize impact to timelines, quality, and patient safety.
• Ensure inspection and audit readiness, including oversight of Trial Master File (TMF) set‑up, ongoing maintenance, and close‑out for CNS studies.
• Contribute to operational planning and regulatory deliverables, supporting preparation of study‑level documentation for Health Authority interactions and continuous improvement of clinical operations processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or health‑related discipline. 
• 5+ years clinical trial management experience within an industry sponsor environment, supporting drug development programs.  
• Experience managing clinical trials in CNS therapeutic development strongly preferred.  
• Proven ability to manage global clinical studies, including coordination with investigators, CROs, and functional vendors.  
• Strong working knowledge of ICH guidelines, GCP, and global regulatory requirements applicable to clinical trials.  
• Solid understanding of project management principles, including planning and managing timelines, resources, budgets, and risk–benefit trade‑offs; PMP or similar training is a plus. 
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence without formal authority and drive cross‑functional team performance. 
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment, meeting aggressive timelines while maintaining quality. 
• Proactive problem‑solving mindset with the ability to anticipate issues, identify creative solutions, and take initiative to address risks impacting timelines or budgets. 

Compensation 

The hourly range for this position is $65.00 to $90.00 per hour. Individual compensation within this range will be determined based on a variety of factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, and job knowledge.  

Contractors engaged through Centessa are employed through a third-party agency that serves as the employer of record and provides access to a comprehensive benefits package. Eligible contractors may enroll in medical plans, including PPO and EPO options, as well as dental and vision coverage after 30 days. Additional perks, such as a 401(k), wellness programs, and other discounts, may also be available to eligible contractors.  

Work Location

The (contract-to-hire) Clinical Trial Manager role is a remote role based in the US. 

POSITION: Temporary, non-exempt

 

EEOC Statement: Centessa Pharmaceuticals, a wholly owned subdisary of Eli Lilly and Company believes in a diverse environment and is committed to equal employment opportunity for all its employees and qualified applicants. We do not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, or any other employment practices for reasons of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital or veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status. We will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities, in accordance with applicable law.

Please note: We will not assign referral rights for any unsolicited resumes from recruitment agencies.