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.

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$148K - $175K *

Lead strategic initiatives and operational excellence across client portfolios, ensuring governance, performance management, and continuous improvement. Drive client satisfaction and financial account...

Chicago, ILRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$110K - $125K *

Elevate healthcare operations by leading credentialing and medical staff services across multiple states. Drive compliance, streamline onboarding, and enhance workflows to support over 200 professiona...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$102K - $170K *

Elevate your career by driving operational improvements in healthcare. Collaborate with clients to enhance performance through data analysis and strategic workflow redesign, ensuring impactful outcome...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$247K - $337K *

Lead CMC Pharmaceutical Development for small molecules, driving innovation and strategy from early development to commercialization while ensuring regulatory compliance and operational excellence...

New Jersey, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$154K - $242K *

Elevate your career by leading site monitoring activities across clinical studies, ensuring compliance, quality, and timely delivery while developing high-performing teams and driving innovative monit...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Champion the legal landscape for Phase 3 and commercial activities in the Americas, providing strategic counsel across the product lifecycle while partnering closely with commercial and medical affair...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$120K - $145K *

Transform ERP management by leading governance and strategy for Oracle Cloud and UKG across health systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance efficiencies and optimize processes, driving align...

Los Angeles, CARemote

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$230K - $260K *

Join us to lead a regional sales team, driving strategic initiatives and fostering relationships to achieve business objectives while enhancing patient outcomes in the oncology sector...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$126K - $168K *

Lead the charge in shaping and executing product strategy for B2B learning solutions, driving innovation and market impact while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality produ...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $165K *

Build and manage clinical stewardship operations, driving client success through effective program implementation and cross-functional collaboration. Leverage clinical expertise to enhance client rela...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $237K *

Unlock potential by leading actuarial strategies that drive innovation and performance. Oversee a team, develop statistical models, and engage with regulators to ensure compliance and support business...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$255K - $348K *

Champion a high-performing field sales organization to drive sustainable growth across specialty therapeutic areas. Inspire accountability and resilience while enhancing patient outcomes through strat...

California, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Optimize clinical trial operations by leading cross-functional teams, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards to drive successful study execution and patient e...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by managing clinical trial project setups and amendments. Collaborate with teams to ensure client requirements are met, while serving as a subject matter expert to enhance process eff...

Johnson City, TNRemote

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$190K - $237K *

Optimize sourcing strategies and procurement processes for clinical operations, ensuring effective vendor management and governance across global clinical trials. Collaborate with cross-functional tea...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$88K - $115K *

Unlock your potential in a pivotal integration role, ensuring customer success through seamless technical setups, collaboration across teams, and enhancement of integration performance for optimal sat...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$88K - $105K *

Champion compliance initiatives by developing programs and training materials, ensuring adherence to regulations across UPMC. Collaborate with various departments to mitigate risks and enhance ethical...

Pittsburgh, PARemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$161K - $202K *

Unlock potential by leading a dynamic Learning & Development team to enhance clinical and non-clinical training programs, ensuring high-quality patient care through innovative strategies and scalable...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to impactful consulting services in government pricing, leveraging your expertise to guide clients through compliance, data analysis, and strategic initiatives while leading a collaborative...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$225K - $281K *

Lead the charge in shaping detection and response strategies, driving hands-on initiatives to enhance security architecture and incident management. Collaborate across teams to ensure robust threat de...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$119K - $179K *

Support the integration and harmonization of clinical data by designing FHIR-compliant models and pipelines, ensuring data accuracy and usability for patient care and research initiatives across the o...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$207K - $284K *

Drive the success of our Oncology team by leading a group of Territory Managers, executing strategic plans, and fostering strong relationships with stakeholders across the Southeast region to enhance...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing and guiding Field Medical teams to enhance scientific engagement and insights, translating medical strategies into impactful regional execution while fostering talent and...

Columbus, OHRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Help us drive innovative product strategies in patient services, focusing on access, adherence, and affordability. Lead cross-functional teams to translate business needs into impactful technology sol...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $166K *

Lead the charge in managing site contract negotiations and agreements, ensuring alignment with clinical study timelines. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance contract processes and mento...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.