Director, Clinical Research Jobs

Explore Director, Clinical Research jobs with organizations advancing medical knowledge and developing new therapies. These senior leaders shape clinical research strategy, oversee trial portfolios, and guide teams responsible for delivering high-quality, compliant studies. Ladders features vetted professional opportunities with salaries of $100,000 or more.

What Does a Director of Clinical Research Do?

A Director of Clinical Research leads the planning and execution of clinical studies, from early development through later-stage trials. Responsibilities may include setting research priorities, managing budgets and timelines, overseeing clinical operations and vendors, and collaborating with medical, regulatory, data, and commercial teams. Directors also help ensure studies follow applicable regulations, ethical standards, and Good Clinical Practice requirements.

Skills and Qualifications

Employers commonly seek extensive experience in clinical research or clinical development, along with a record of leading complex programs and cross-functional teams. Helpful qualifications include knowledge of clinical trial design, regulatory requirements, risk management, research operations, and data review. Strong communication, strategic planning, decision-making, and budget management skills are also important. Requirements vary by employer and therapeutic area.

Where Clinical Research Directors Work

Clinical Research Directors work across biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, medical device organizations, contract research organizations, hospitals, academic medical centers, and other research institutions. Some roles focus on a specific therapeutic area, study phase, or operational function; others oversee broader clinical portfolios.

Explore Director, Clinical Research Opportunities

Find leadership roles that align with your experience, preferred work environment, and career goals. Browse vetted Director, Clinical Research positions on Ladders and discover professional opportunities paying $100,000 or more.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$161K - $210K *

Elevate workforce management by leading recruitment, onboarding, and performance strategies. Drive clinician readiness and productivity while ensuring quality care through data-driven decision-making...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $290K *

Contribute to the advancement of cancer therapies by managing analytical development and quality control operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, and collaborating across teams to en...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$210K - $250K *

Champion the future of drug safety by leading global pharmacovigilance efforts. Drive strategy, ensure compliance, and enhance patient safety through innovative processes and cross-functional collabor...

Boston, MARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$201K - $251K *

Transform workforce intelligence by leading People Analytics, establishing data governance, and driving strategic decision-making in a high-growth environment. Collaborate across functions to enhance...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $160K *

Lead all HR functions in a dynamic biotech environment, enhancing employee experience and compliance while driving scalable processes and supporting leadership. Engage with teams to foster growth and...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$242K - $282K *

Lead the oversight of contractual matters across departments, serving as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders from pre-clinical to commercial readiness. This role emphasizes collaboration and ex...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $180K *

Shape the future of neuroscience by leveraging AI to enhance research methodologies. Collaborate with experts to define benchmarks, analyze data, and ensure AI agents meet rigorous scientific standard...

San Francisco, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $195K *

Empower quality assurance excellence by leading GMP oversight for contract manufacturing and validation projects, ensuring compliance and collaboration across technical operations to support drug deve...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$206K - $413K *

Join our team to lead in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, providing oversight, improving utilization, and guiding medical policy. Collaborate with staff and external partners to enhance healthcar...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Drive excellence in global clinical study leadership across various therapeutic areas. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and within budget while exceeding client expectations...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$159K - $273K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of epidemiology by leading innovative research initiatives, fostering scientific excellence, and driving client impact across diverse sectors. Leverage your exper...

Boston, MARemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$185K - $344K *

Join a team that's redefining market access through innovative data partnerships. Lead strategic collaborations, ensure data compliance, and drive insights that enhance decision-making and patient ser...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$185K - $250K *

Optimize healthcare reimbursement strategies by analyzing payer contracts and financial impacts. Lead teams in delivering actionable insights and recommendations, while collaborating with data analyti...

Chicago, ILRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$125K - $150K *

Transform pharmacovigilance processes by leading compliance and quality initiatives, ensuring adherence to regulations while enhancing patient safety and product excellence across generics and biosimi...

Lehi, UTRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$215K - $408K *

Transform healthcare delivery by leading medical management and quality initiatives. Collaborate with clinical teams to enhance patient outcomes and drive cost-effective care while ensuring compliance...

Missouri, USRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K *

Drive innovation and transform lives by leading regulatory strategies and submissions for clinical trials globally. Act as a key liaison for project teams to ensure compliance, operational excellence...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$177K - $278K *

Champion innovative patient recruitment strategies to enhance clinical trial engagement and retention. Lead a dynamic team, leveraging data and technology to optimize enrollment across diverse therape...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Accelerate the success of clinical trials by leading site start-up activities, managing a dedicated team, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards through effective collaboration and process...

Blue Bell, PARemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$247K - $309K *

Unlock potential by leading medical strategy for hematologic malignancies. Collaborate cross-functionally to drive evidence generation, stakeholder engagement, and launch readiness, ensuring impactful...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$119K - $179K *

Lead the charge in architecting FHIR-compliant data models to enhance clinical data integration and usability, supporting patient care and research initiatives across the organization...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $210K *

Lead pioneering evidence generation initiatives to inform oncology product strategies and lifecycle management through cross-functional collaboration and data-driven decision-making...

RemoteRemote

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$92K - $148K *

Unlock potential by leading clinical trials in oncology, ensuring compliance and quality data management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive project success from start-up to closeout, wh...

Titusville, NJRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping high-impact strategies and narratives for enterprise growth. Collaborate with senior leaders to craft compelling pitches and support organic initiatives, driving success acr...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$350K - $430K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of ophthalmic genetic medicine development. Provide strategic oversight for clinical studies, ensuring patient safety and data integrity while collaborating with cr...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$168K - $283K *

Lead the charge in advancing early-stage clinical trials for innovative Orexin-targeted therapies. Collaborate cross-functionally to shape scientific strategy, drive execution, and ensure high-quality...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Director of Clinical Research do?question toggle

    A Director of Clinical Research sets strategy and oversees clinical studies, teams, budgets, timelines, and research operations. The role also involves cross-functional collaboration and helping ensure trials meet ethical and regulatory requirements.

  • What qualifications are typically required for Director, Clinical Research jobs?question toggle

    Employers typically look for substantial clinical research or clinical development experience and a history of leading teams or complex programs. Knowledge of clinical trial design, regulations, Good Clinical Practice, and research operations is often valuable. Specific requirements vary by organization and role.

  • Where can a Director of Clinical Research work?question toggle

    These professionals work at biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, hospitals, academic medical centers, medical device companies, and other research institutions.

  • How much do Director, Clinical Research jobs pay?question toggle

    Compensation varies based on factors such as employer, location, therapeutic area, and scope of responsibility. Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more.

  • How can I find Director, Clinical Research jobs?question toggle

    Browse current Director, Clinical Research listings on Ladders and review each posting for responsibilities, qualifications, location, and compensation details.