Meet Agnieszka Kozicka, a Senior Clinical Operations Leader working as a team to overcome challenges in clinical operations

"What I like about Parexel is that we are a real TEAM. We are different, with different characters, attitudes, and personalities but when we face a challenge, we are a TEAM working TOGETHER to overcome it."

Agnieszka Kozicka shares about her role as a Senior Clinical Operations Leader, the skills needed, the challenges and teamwork. She feels all the efforts are worth it when a drug is being approved and is available for all patients on the market. She is looking back on a 17-year career path at Parexel, from an Assistant to Sr. COL and still doesn't see the limits of development. Learn about her new co-worker and what she likes to do outside of work.

• Please introduce yourself and your role at Parexel.
  My name is Agnieszka Kozicka and I am a Senior Clinical Operation Leader (COL) at Parexel, this role is also known as Clinical Trial Manager or Study Operations Manager in other companies.
  
  
• What does a day in your job look like? What are your core responsibilities?
  On daily basis, I coordinate the work of the clinical team on a global level, and I communicate with other functional leaders and sponsors. I participate in the creation of study tools and manuals, oversee the conduct of the trial through all phases, work on resources, and many more.
  
  
• What traits and/or skills are needed to be successful in your role?
  In my opinion, the most important for a COL is great communication skills and the ability to cooperate peacefully and efficiently with many different personalities in a project team.
  
  
• What is it about your position that challenges you most?
  The most challenging for me as a COL is meeting all deadlines while keeping high quality and at the same time remembering that we are people, not machines, who are at their best in a kind, supportive and understanding team environment.
  
  
• How would you describe what it’s like working with your colleagues?
  What I like about Parexel is that we are a real TEAM. We are different, with different characters, attitudes, and personalities but when we face a challenge, we are a TEAM working TOGETHER to overcome it. I know that I can always rely on my project team, I know that everyone will do their best and will play as a TEAM.
  
  
• Can you share with us an example of some of the work that you do, where you have gained a real sense of job satisfaction?
  It's important to know that your work has a real purpose. I always felt that all my efforts, overcoming millions of challenges and hard work was worth it when the drug I worked on is being approved and is available for all patients on the market. It makes me feel like my work is making a real difference for other people.
  
  
• How has Parexel supported your career development?
  I started working at Parexel 17 years ago as a Clinical Operations Assistant. Through the years, I followed a Clinical Operations development path and now I am a Senior COL. Parexel provides many career path opportunities and now, even after so many years, I am feeling that there is still space for development, not only in Clinical Operations but also in other departments.
  
  
• What do you enjoy when you’re not at work?
  When I am not at work, I like spending time with my family. We like trips, cycling, walks and sightseeing but also playing board games and meeting with friends.

• Tell me something most people don’t know about you.
  I have been working from home for many years now and recently I have a new co-worker. 3 weeks ago a beautiful kitty joined our family, her name is Tula. While I am typing this she is sleeping on my desk. It's lovely to have a companion at work and not be alone in my home office.

©Photos by Agnieszka Kozicka