Ivy Awofusi
Sicklerville
Summary
Professional operations leader with consistent track record in optimizing processes and driving impactful results. Proven ability to lead teams, implement strategic initiatives, and adapt to changing environments with ease. Skilled in project management, process improvement, and resource allocation. Known for effective collaboration and delivering dependable outcomes with a quality mindset.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Development & Operations (CDO) Operations Director
Novo Nordisk Inc.
06.2024 - Current
- Lead daily operations and people management for line managers and individual contributors, ensuring high performance, engagement, and recognition.
- Drive alignment of business plans with operational needs, partnering with global teams to optimize resource allocation and deliver business goals.
- Champion technology adoption, including AI tools (Copilot), to enhance efficiency and collaboration across the organization.
- Manage complex change initiatives in a dynamic, global environment, leveraging Agile and digital methodologies.
- Collaborating with Operational Excellence & Delivery team, CMR Strategic Operations, and Finance to develop and ensure alignment managing resources such as personnel, equipment, and materials to ensure optimal utilization and allocation, operational budgets, monitoring expenses, and implementing cost-saving measures
- Establish and manage relationships with external partners relevant to the design & implementation of clinical trials improvement/innovation projects for CDO & Novo Nordisk (e.g. Investigators and site staff, Health Systems, Contract Research Organizations and Site Management Organizations etc.)
- Encouraging a culture of continuous improvement, promoting innovation, and seeking ways to optimize operations through new technologies or practices
CDO Senior Operations Lead
Novo Nordisk Inc.
05.2023 - 06.2024
- Oversaw operational activities and led improvement/innovation projects for North American clinical development.
- Implemented process enhancements and digital solutions, resulting in increased efficiency and streamlined workflows.
- Supported cross-functional teams in a rapidly changing environment, ensuring business needs were met through resource optimization.
- Mentored other Line of Business managers within Site Management.
- Responsible for entire In-House CRA team resourcing in alignment with trial deliverables
- Worked closely with other departments and teams to coordinate operational activities, facilitate communication, and foster a collaborative work culture, including direct partnership with the Portfolio Directors
- Was on a Short-Term Assignment (STA) in the CMR SVP Office from May 2023 to June 2024
Senior Line of Business Manager
Novo Nordisk Inc.
11.2020 - 08.2023
- Managed and mentored teams of Clinical Trial Associates, Site Specialists, and Lead CRAs.
- Led departmental milestones and performance management, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Built and maintained relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including vendors and global partners.
- Worked with our training team to create new-hire training for the organization
- Led process improvement projects across CDO and in collaboration with our HQ colleagues
- Primarily responsible for recruitment and onboarding of operational roles, in partnership with Talent Acquisition and CMR training
Line of Business Manager
Novo Nordisk Inc.
05.2017 - 11.2020
- Directed cross-functional teams to deliver on clinical trial and business objectives.
- Drove operational excellence and process consistency across multiple projects.
- Responsible for process optimization and change management
- Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and internal SOPs.
Education
BSc - Political Science
Temple University
Philadelphia, PASkills
- Microsoft Copilot & AI Productivity Tools
- Agile/Scrum Methodologies
- Digital Collaboration Platforms (Teams, SharePoint, etc)
- Data Analytics & Reporting
- Organizational change management
- Clinical operations management & vendor management
- Project management
Accomplishments
- Led the successful rollout and adoption of Copilot and other digital tools, accelerating digital transformation and process automation.
- Managed global projects, including a 4-month assignment in Denmark and a year as Project Manager/Culture Ambassador in the CMR SVP office.
- Delivered multiple process improvement initiatives, including the COSMOS and Country Intelligence rollouts for US and Canada.
- Honorable service in the United States Air Force Reserves.
- Managed roll-out of CDO's first ITMF tool
- Multiple NN Way Awards - Essential 1 and 2 winner and 2022 Early Impact Award
Certification
- Global Value Chain Academy (2021)
- Executing Strategy Learning Sprint
- SUCCEED Leadership Program (2020)
- Scrum/Agile Methodology (Digital Lighthouse, Denmark)
- Project Management & Change Leadership Courses
Timeline
Clinical Development & Operations (CDO) Operations Director
Novo Nordisk Inc.
06.2024 - Current
CDO Senior Operations Lead
Novo Nordisk Inc.
05.2023 - 06.2024
Senior Line of Business Manager
Novo Nordisk Inc.
11.2020 - 08.2023
Line of Business Manager
Novo Nordisk Inc.
05.2017 - 11.2020
BSc - Political Science
Temple University
Core Competencies
- Operations Leadership & Process Optimization
- People Management & Talent Development
- Digital Transformation & Technology Adoption
- Change Management & Agile Methodologies
- Cross-Functional & Global Collaboration
- Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Building
- Vendor management and oversight
- Program & Project Management
Additional Information
- Extensive experience working in global, multicultural teams
- Strong record of stakeholder management and vendor partnerships
- US Air Force Reserves – Honorably Discharged
Additional Career roles:
- Study Delivery Associate/CRA - AstraZeneca
- Senior In-house CRA/CRA - Novo Nordisk Inc.,
- Lead CRA - Novo Nordisk Inc.,