Clinical Research Managers oversee the planning and delivery of clinical studies, helping ensure research is conducted ethically, efficiently, and in line with regulatory requirements. They coordinate teams, timelines, budgets, sites, and study documentation across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, academic, and contract research organizations. Explore vetted Clinical Research Manager opportunities on Ladders, including roles with salaries of $100,000 or more.
Responsibilities vary by employer and study phase, but often include developing study plans and budgets, managing clinical operations staff and external partners, monitoring enrollment and milestones, and addressing risks that could affect quality or timelines. Managers may oversee site selection and performance, review study documentation, support inspections and audits, and collaborate with clinical, medical, regulatory, data, and safety teams.
Employers commonly seek a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, public health, or related field; some roles prefer an advanced degree. Relevant clinical research experience is important, and prior leadership or project management experience may be required. Knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), applicable regulations, clinical trial processes, and study management systems can be valuable. Strong communication, organization, problem-solving, and team leadership skills help managers keep complex studies on track.
Clinical Research Managers work in pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, medical device organizations, contract research organizations (CROs), hospitals, research institutions, and other healthcare settings. Depending on the employer and study portfolio, roles may focus on a particular therapeutic area, clinical trial phase, region, or operational function. Some positions offer remote or hybrid work, while others require travel to research sites or offices.
Demand for experienced clinical research leaders is shaped by ongoing investment in drug development, medical technology, and clinical trials. Compensation depends on experience, location, employer, therapeutic area, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more, making it a resource for experienced candidates seeking Clinical Research Manager roles and related leadership positions.
Search Clinical Research Manager openings to compare responsibilities, qualifications, and work arrangements. Use Ladders to discover high-paying opportunities that match your clinical research background and next career goal.
Drug Discovery Research Scientist
$92K - $138K *
Join a team that's advancing innovative Cell Therapies by designing and conducting in vivo studies. Utilize your expertise in pharmacology and collaborate across disciplines to drive impactful researc...
Reposted today
Associate Director, Research Quality Assurance
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Drive compliance excellence in clinical development by providing technical leadership and oversight in GCP, GVP, GLP, and GPP. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and readiness f...
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Join a team that's advancing AI/ML methods to analyze complex biological data, collaborating across disciplines to develop scalable models that enhance our understanding of health and disease. Drive i...
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Innovate by developing automated AI/ML toxicology models to enhance drug safety assessments. Collaborate globally to deliver critical data, accelerating the journey of effective medicines from discove...
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Supervisor, Laboratory Medicine
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Transform laboratory operations by supervising microbiology staff, ensuring compliance with quality standards, and enhancing workflow efficiency to meet clinical needs and improve patient care...
1 week ago
Senior Clinical Research Associate-- CNS/ - Psychiatry - Southeast
$97K - $193K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research by managing site activities throughout the study lifecycle, ensuring high-quality trial delivery, and supporting patient safety in a collabo...
1 week ago
Senior Scientist II, Toxicologist
$120K - $145K *
Engage in transformative drug development by providing expert nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology leadership. Collaborate across teams to enhance drug candidate evaluation, regulatory submissions...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to lead and enhance laboratory operations in cellular therapy. Drive compliance, oversee daily activities, and mentor staff while ensuring the highest standards in processing and q...
2 weeks ago
Manager, Clinical Lab Project Management
$114K - $187K *
Oversee clinical laboratory project management, ensuring timely deliverables and risk mitigation across therapeutic areas. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support clinical trials and optimi...
3 weeks ago
Manager, Clinical Lab Project Management
$114K - $187K *
Unlock potential by managing clinical laboratory projects, ensuring timely deliverables across therapeutic areas. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to mitigate risks and support clinical trial o...
3 weeks ago
Manager, Clinical Lab Project Management
$114K - $187K *
Optimize clinical laboratory project management for diverse therapeutic areas, ensuring timely study starts and data delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to manage risks and achieve opera...
3 weeks ago
Senior Scientist, Translational Preclinical Models, MPS Automated Cell Culture & Innovation
$93K - $183K *
Join us to advance innovative preclinical models for drug discovery. In this collaborative role, you'll integrate cutting-edge technologies and stem cell biology to create scalable, human-relevant mod...
3 days ago
$91K - $134K *
Join a team that's advancing cancer research by developing software tools for high-throughput sequencing data analysis. Collaborate with scientists to enhance bioinformatics capabilities and drive imp...
3 days ago
$91K - $134K *
Unlock potential by designing and implementing software tools for high-throughput sequencing data analysis. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to enhance bioinformatics capabilities and drive i...
3 days ago
Scientist II/Sr. Scientist I, Immunology
$150K - $200K *
Lead innovative research in immunology, focusing on autoimmune diseases. Design and execute experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to guide drug development from early...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $185K *
Transform patient outcomes by leading psychometric research efforts, guiding strategic design and analysis of clinical assessments, and driving innovation within interdisciplinary teams committed to a...
1 month ago
$120K - $185K *
Pioneer innovative psychometric approaches in interdisciplinary teams to enhance clinical outcome assessments. Lead research strategies, design robust analyses, and effectively communicate results to...
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$165K - $205K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing national security through innovative biochemistry. Provide expert support across DARPA's R&D lifecycle, translating complex objectives into actionable researc...
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Drive innovation by employing advanced ML, DL, and NLP techniques to detect and prevent fraud. Collaborate across teams to analyze data patterns, develop predictive models, and enhance fraud protectio...
5 days ago
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Drive impactful laboratory processes by performing essential pre- and post-analytical tasks, while maintaining equipment, ensuring compliance, and fostering staff development within a dynamic medical...
3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Scientist - Algorithms & Data Products
$140K - $190K *
Drive innovative algorithm development to transform sensor data into actionable insights, collaborating with engineers to automate experimental protocols and enhance manufacturing intelligence for adv...
3 weeks ago
Clinical Laboratory Technologist I - Cobleskill Regional Hospital
$73K - $110K *
Join us to deliver accurate laboratory results and support patient care. As a Clinical Laboratory Technologist, you'll perform tests, maintain equipment, and ensure quality assurance while collaborati...
1 week ago
Clinical Lab Supervisor - Microbiology
$145K - $159K *
Elevate the Clinical Microbiology laboratory by supervising daily operations, ensuring compliance, and fostering staff development. Collaborate with senior staff to enhance quality assurance and drive...
6 days ago
Manager, Global Patient Safety Scientist
$114K - $187K *
Empower global patient safety initiatives by leading safety data analysis and risk assessment for clinical and post-marketing phases, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and enhancing patien...
4 days ago
Manager, Global Patient Safety Scientist
$114K - $187K *
Discover your potential in a pivotal role driving global patient safety strategies, focusing on safety data analysis and risk assessment for clinical and post-marketing phases, while contributing to i...
4 days ago
What does a Clinical Research Manager do?
A Clinical Research Manager plans and oversees clinical study operations, including teams, sites, budgets, timelines, documentation, and compliance. The role often involves coordinating with research, medical, regulatory, data, and safety partners.
What qualifications are needed to become a Clinical Research Manager?
Many employers look for a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, public health, or related discipline, along with relevant clinical research experience. Leadership experience, knowledge of Good Clinical Practice (GCP), and familiarity with clinical trial regulations and systems are also commonly valued.
How much do Clinical Research Managers earn?
Pay varies by experience, location, employer, and role scope. Ladders features vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more, including qualifying Clinical Research Manager opportunities.
Where can Clinical Research Managers work?
They may work for pharmaceutical or biotechnology companies, CROs, medical device organizations, hospitals, universities, research institutions, and other healthcare employers.
Are Clinical Research Manager jobs remote?
Some employers offer remote or hybrid roles, while others require on-site work or travel to clinical research sites. Work arrangements depend on the employer, study portfolio, and job responsibilities.
What career paths can follow a Clinical Research Manager role?
Experienced managers may advance into senior clinical operations leadership, clinical program or portfolio management, director-level roles, or specialized positions in areas such as trial strategy, regulatory operations, or clinical development.