Interim Director of Pharmacovigilance

Interim Director of Pharmacovigilance

Contract | Freelance/Interim | Remote (EU/UK) | Immediate start | Full-time

A growing biopharmaceutical company is seeking an experienced Interim Director of Pharmacovigilance to provide senior drug-safety leadership during a period of transition and growth. This is a contract engagement suited to a hands-on PV leader who can step in at pace, hold the function together, and leave it stronger, whether bridging to a permanent hire or standing up capability ahead of a key milestone.

The role

Reporting into senior management, you'll take ownership of the end-to-end pharmacovigilance system and act as the senior point of accountability for safety across the portfolio. You'll balance strategic oversight with genuine hands-on delivery in a lean, fast-moving environment.

Key responsibilities

• Provide leadership and oversight of the global PV system, ensuring ongoing GVP compliance and audit/inspection readiness.
• Support or deputise for the QPPV, including PSMF maintenance and safety governance.
• Oversee signal detection, benefit-risk evaluation and risk-management activities across the portfolio.
• Own delivery of aggregate safety reports (PSUR/PBRER, DSUR) and regulatory safety commitments.
• Manage CRO/vendor safety relationships and safety-data-exchange agreements (SDEAs).
• Lead and mentor a small PV team, and interface with Regulatory, Clinical, Quality and Medical.
• Drive inspection readiness and CAPA management ahead of regulatory milestones.

What we're looking for

• Substantial pharmacovigilance experience (typically 10+ years), including at MAH or biotech level, with time at Director or equivalent.
• Strong working knowledge of EU GVP and global PV regulatory requirements.
• EU QPPV experience or eligibility highly desirable.
• Demonstrable experience standing up, scaling or turning around a PV function.
• Track record of regulatory inspections and audit readiness.
• Life sciences, pharmacy or medical background.
• Available immediately or at short notice on a contract basis.

Details

Fully remote (EU/UK-based). Competitive rate, dependent on experience. Initial 6 month contract with scope to extend.

Interested, or know someone who fits? Get in touch with Ollie Thorpe at Barrington James for a confidential conversation.