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Drug Safety Manager Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Development of study specific safety management plan from Exelixis Drug Safety template ... Development, review and update of drug safety forms and templates, and harmonization with relevant ...

Drug Safety Associate III

Alameda, CA · On-site

$124.50K - $177K/yr

Development of study specific safety management plan from Exelixis Drug Safety template ... Development, review and update of drug safety forms and templates, and harmonization with relevant ...

Development of study specific safety management plan from Exelixis Drug Safety template ... Development, review and update of drug safety forms and templates, and harmonization with relevant ...

Drug Safety Physician

Princeton, NJ · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Provide medical safety input in the development and/or updates of Risk Management Plans and the ... Serve as a subject matter expert for vendors that provide drug safety and pharmacovigilance ...

Drug Safety Program Manager

Waltham, MA · Hybrid

$145K - $158K/yr

The Drug Safety Manager will have primary responsibility for the following, providing endtoend safety leadership across clinical studies and marketed products. Why join Team Alkermes? Alkermes ...

Drug Safety Physician

Princeton, NJ · On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Provide medical safety input in the development and/or updates of Risk Management Plans and the ... Serve as a subject matter expert for vendors that provide drug safety and pharmacovigilance ...

Drug Safety Associate Duration: 12 months contract, extendable up to 36 months Location: Parsippany ... You may participate in the company group medical insurance plan Safety Data Management Specialist ...

The Drug Safety Manager will have primary responsibility for the following, providing end-to-end safety leadership across clinical studies and marketed products. Responsibilities Clinical Study ...

Responsible for data analysis and management obtained from the integrated database utilized by ... Support drug safety applications with business administration tasks. * Key project team technical ...

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Drug Safety Manager information

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$37K

$86K

$136.5K

How much do drug safety manager jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for drug safety manager in the United States is $85,971.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $65,500.00 and $102,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Drug Safety Manager, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Drug Safety Manager, you need expertise in pharmacovigilance, regulatory compliance, and drug safety reporting, typically backed by a degree in pharmacy, life sciences, or a related field. Familiarity with safety databases (such as Argus or ARISg), MedDRA coding, and ICH-GCP guidelines is commonly required, along with relevant certifications like those from the Drug Information Association (DIA). Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills are crucial for managing safety data and collaborating with cross-functional teams. These skills ensure accurate safety monitoring, regulatory adherence, and the protection of patient well-being throughout a drug’s lifecycle.

What are the main challenges Drug Safety Managers face when ensuring compliance with global pharmacovigilance regulations?

Drug Safety Managers often navigate complex and evolving international regulations to ensure a company's pharmacovigilance practices are compliant. They must coordinate with cross-functional teams to gather timely and accurate safety data, manage case processing workflows, and prepare regulatory submissions under strict deadlines. Staying updated on changing global requirements and aligning internal processes accordingly can be challenging, but is crucial for patient safety and product success. Effective communication, attention to detail, and proactive risk management are key in overcoming these challenges.

What does a Drug Safety Manager do?

A Drug Safety Manager is responsible for overseeing the collection, evaluation, and reporting of data related to the safety of pharmaceutical products. They ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and help identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with medications. Their role often includes managing a team, developing safety protocols, and communicating findings to regulatory authorities and internal stakeholders. By maintaining vigilance over drug safety, they help protect patient health and support the ongoing improvement of pharmaceutical products.

What is the difference between Drug Safety Manager vs Pharmacovigilance Specialist?

AspectDrug Safety ManagerPharmacovigilance Specialist
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in pharmacy, life sciences, or related field; certifications like PV or REMS are commonSimilar educational background; often holds certifications in pharmacovigilance or drug safety
Work EnvironmentLeads drug safety teams, manages safety data, and oversees compliance within pharmaceutical companiesFocuses on collecting, analyzing, and reporting safety data, often working under supervision
Industry UsageUsed in pharmaceutical and biotech companies for overseeing safety programsCommonly used in regulatory agencies and contract research organizations

While both roles involve drug safety and require similar qualifications, the Drug Safety Manager typically has a leadership role overseeing safety operations, whereas the Pharmacovigilance Specialist focuses on data collection and analysis. The manager has broader responsibilities, including team management and strategic planning.

More about Drug Safety Manager jobs
What cities are hiring for Drug Safety Manager jobs? Cities with the most Drug Safety Manager job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Drug Safety jobs? The most popular types of Drug Safety jobs are:
What states have the most Drug Safety Manager jobs? States with the most job openings for Drug Safety Manager jobs include:
Infographic showing various Drug Safety Manager job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $85,971 per year, or $41.3 per hour.
Drug Safety Manager

Drug Safety Manager

VIKING THERAPEUTICS INC

San Diego, CA • On-site

$120K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago


Job description

Description:

The Drug Safety Manager (DSM) is responsible for study and compound level safety oversight across early and late-stage clinical programs in collaboration with internal medical monitors, multidisciplinary / cross-functional teams within the organization, and external CRO partners. This role ensures high quality safety data, compliant case management, and robust safety surveillance.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The responsibilities of this role include but are not limited to the following:

Study and program safety oversight

  • Serve as safety lead for assigned clinical studies (Phase 1–3), partnering with Clinical Development, Clinical Operations, and CRO safety teams.
  • Provide safety input into protocols, informed consent forms, IB safety sections, safety management plans, and monitoring plans.
  • Ensure safety sections of key clinical documents (protocol amendments, CSR safety narratives/sections, DSURs) are accurate and internally consistent before senior/medical sign off.

CRO oversight and case management quality

  • Oversee CRO performance in ICSR case processing, MedDRA and WHO Drug coding, and expedited/periodic reporting according to study plans and global regulations.
  • Review periodic line listings, case narratives, and coding outputs; identify trends, quality issues, and areas requiring corrective action.
  • Participate in regular safety operations/governance meetings with CROs; track KPIs, issues, and action items through resolution.

Safety surveillance and signal support

  • Contribute to ongoing medical review/surveillance by preparing safety data summaries (e.g., line listings, frequency tables, figures) for internal safety reviews and signal meetings.
  • Support identification and characterization of potential safety signals in partnership with Sr. Safety Manager and medical monitors.
  • Draft or contribute to risk assessments, mitigation proposals, and safety sections of aggregate reports (e.g., DSURs, periodic safety updates).

Cross functional collaboration

  • Work closely with internal medical monitors/physicians to support causality and seriousness assessments, especially for complex or medically significant cases.
  • Partner with Clinical Operations on SAE reporting expectations, site training content, and reconciliation between clinical and safety databases.
  • Provide safety input into study start up activities (site training materials, safety reporting language, vendor plans).

Compliance, quality, and inspection readiness

  • Contribute to the development, implementation, and maintenance of safety related SOPs, work instructions, and templates.
  • Assist in preparation for, and participation in, internal audits and health authority inspections involving safety and pharmacovigilance.
  • Ensure accurate and timely documentation and filing of safety related materials in the Trial Master File and safety system files.
Requirements:

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Biomedical Sciences, or related healthcare/scientific field required.
  • Preferred: RN, PharmD, PA, or other clinical credential.
  • Approximately 5–8 years of experience in drug safety/pharmacovigilance in a biotech, pharma, or CRO environment, including experience with interventional clinical trials.

Knowledge and Skills

Required

  • Solid understanding of global PV regulations and ICH GCP, including SAE/SUSAR reporting requirements and aggregate reporting.
  • Demonstrated experience with CRO oversight and review of case processing outputs, MedDRA coding, and safety documentation.
  • Strong analytical skills with ability to review and interpret clinical and safety data and identify trends.
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with the ability to work in a small, fast-paced, cross-functional environment.
  • High degree of proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook), file sharing software, online conferencing applications, and comfort learning new systems and dashboards.
  • Strong communication skills and ability to work effectively in a small, collaborative team.

Preferred

  • Experience supporting Phase 3 clinical programs and/or registrational intent trials.
  • Experience with safety database outputs and basic familiarity with signal detection tools or methodologies.
  • Prior exposure to inspections or audits involving PV.
  • Experience in an early-stage biotech or similarly dynamic environment.

VIKING THERAPEUTICS

Viking Therapeutics, Inc., is committed to equal opportunity in the terms and conditions of employment for all employees and job applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, gender identity or gender expression, national origin, disability or veteran status. Viking Therapeutics also complies with all applicable national, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment as well as work authorization and employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act and IRCA.


Notice to Agency and Search Firm Representatives

Viking Therapeutics, Inc. is not accepting unsolicited resumes from agencies and/or search firms for this job posting. Resumes submitted to any Viking employee by a third-party agency and/or search firm without a valid written & signed search agreement, and assignment of specific position, will become the sole property of Viking Therapeutics, Inc. No fee will be paid if a candidate is hired for this position as a result of an unsolicited agency or search firm referral.