Designing a CRA Career

CRAs sit at the centre of trial delivery, yet many are navigating their careers under increasing pressure, unclear expectations, and a culture that often normalises burnout. This session is designed to help CRAs take a more intentional approach to career progression. Drawing on over a decade of global clinical recruitment experience, Theodora will explore how to interview for success, build effective and transparent relationships with recruiters, and identify the right CRA role at the right moment in one’s career. Attendees will gain practical insight into assessing workload, travel, support structures, and cultural fit during interviews, recognising red flags and green flags in roles and organisations, and understanding different CRA career trajectories, including non-linear and specialist paths. The session reframes success not as endurance, but as sustainability, impact, and longevity, supporting both individual CRAs and the future of clinical research.