Senior Director, Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis

• Thermo Fisher Scientific’s Patient-Centered Research (PCR) group helps sponsors to integrate the patient voice in all relevant healthcare decisions, from development over regulatory to reimbursement and product launch. For that, PCR uses a unique combination of scientific fields, including health sciences, psychometrics, epidemiology, psychology, health economics and others. Our work has helped identify and clarify unmet clinical needs, assess burden of illness and evaluate patient outcomes, preference and/or adherence, while supporting promotional and labeling claims on a global scale.

The Senior Director of Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis (QDA) is primarily responsible for the collection, organization and analysis of qualitative data on PCR projects, including: moderation of interviews and focus groups, management of vendors for dedicated qualitative research services, oversight of qualitative research technologies (incl., AI-enabled solutions), and qualitative data analysis. As part of this remit the Senior Director will be responsible for leading the development, improvement and implementation of quality and compliance assurance processes. The aim of this exciting role is to build a best-in-class qualitative research center of excellence that supports our scientific solution teams with its methodological expertise.

This role is critical for our mission to provide a full suite of services and offerings to achieve patient focused drug development.

What You’ll Do:

• Develop and implement annual QDA business plans, including identifying and implementing a best-in-class qualitative delivery model.
• Monitor industry developments to ensure the team has access to best-in-class capabilities.
• Collaborate with all PCR solution teams (i.e., clinical outcomes assessment, in-trial research, patient preferences, real-world experience and insights) to ensure the successful design and delivery of projects.
• Manage staff, including interviewing and selection, job description preparation, professional development, goal setting, performance management and any other tasks associated with staff functions and management
• Drive thought leadership to ensure continuous scientific improvement
• Support opportunity management to optimize win rates, including leading the development of qualitative research strategies to meet client needs, and ensuring these are appropriately represented in proposals
• Oversee the delivery of qualitative components of PCR studies, including qualitative data collection (incl., moderation), data management, and data analysis
• Collaborate with external and internal vendors that support PCR with dedicated qualitative research services
• Manage qualitative research technologies for data collection and analysis (incl., AI enablement)
• Work with relevant internal stakeholders to develop, manage, improve and implement qualitative research standards and processes

• PhD, Master’s or Bachelor’s (PhD preferred)
• At least 12 years of qualitative research leadership in a relevant field with a track record of scientific outputs

Knowl e dg e, Skills, a n d A b i liti e s :

• Deep and demonstrated understanding of patient centered research, including a demonstrated knowledge of GCP and awareness of working in a regulatory environment.
• Ability to develop business strategies and plans.
• Understanding of budgeting and forecasting with the ability to interpret data with attention to detail
• Proven ability to lead a team to deliver high quality scientific deliverables
• Demonstrated ability to delegate effectively
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, communication and staff management skills and experience required
• Ability to work in a cross functional team
• Ability to communicate complex information and ideas so that others will understand; with the ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Tact and sensitivity in matters relating to confidential material.
• Fluency in written and oral English