Job DescriptionThe Assistant Director supports the Director in overseeing the department's administrative, operational, financial, and clinical research activities. The position assists with staff supervision, study operations, budgeting, regulatory compliance, vendor coordination, and process improvement to support the successful execution of clinical trials and research initiatives. Working collaboratively with faculty, research teams, sponsors, CROs, vendors, and departments, the Assistant Director also supports operational planning and strategic initiatives while developing broader leadership responsibilities.
Responsibilities- Support the Director in the day-to-day operational, administrative, financial, and clinical research activities of the department to ensure efficient operations and achievement of departmental goals.
- Coordinate departmental workflows, staff assignments, operational priorities, and resources to support clinical trials, research initiatives, and administrative operations.
- Assist with the recruitment, onboarding, supervision, mentoring, training, and performance management of administrative and research staff while promoting a collaborative work environment.
- Coordinate clinical research studies and operational activities, ensuring compliance with study protocols, sponsor requirements, institutional policies, and regulatory guidelines.
- Support regulatory compliance by coordinating regulatory documentation, submissions, quality assurance activities, audit readiness, and corrective action plans, as needed.
- Monitor study timelines, enrollment, operational metrics, and project milestones, communicating progress, identifying issues, and assisting with timely resolution.
- Assist with departmental and study budgets by tracking expenses, reconciling financial activity, preparing reports, and coordinating with Finance and other institutional departments.
- Coordinate communications and activities with investigators, sponsors, CROs, vendors, consultants, and internal departments to support departmental and research operations.
- Prepare reports, presentations, dashboards, and operational metrics to support leadership decision-making and continuous process improvement.
- Participate in departmental meetings, committees, and special projects, and perform other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications- Bachelor's Degree in Health Care Administration, Public Administration, Business Administration, Life Sciences, Clinical Research, or a related field; master's degree preferred.
- Clinical research or project-management certification is preferred.
- 5 years minimum experience, preferably in a hospital, academic medical center, health care, clinical research, or related environment.
- Experience in clinical research operations, departmental administration, budgeting, regulatory activities, or project management preferred.
- Supervisory, team-lead, or staff-coordination experience preferred.
- Experience working with a contract research organization, pharmaceutical company, biotechnology company, academic research organization, or clinical research sponsor preferred.
- Experience with clinical trial management systems, electronic data-capture and regulatory platforms, financial and contract-management systems, research
General Skills and Competencies- Knowledge of applicable clinical research, regulatory, and accreditation requirements, including FDA, GCP, ICH, Institutional Review Board, The Joint Commission, New York State Department of Health, and institutional standards.
- Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and organizational skills.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and project-management abilities.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, projects, deadlines, and stakeholders.
- Demonstrated professionalism, accountability, adaptability, attention to detail, and commitment to quality.
