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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$145K - $288K *

Shape the future of finance by leading transformation initiatives, modernizing technology stacks, and integrating AI to enhance operational efficiency across multiple finance domains with measurable b...

Durham, NCRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$175K - $210K *

Champion the execution of a comprehensive medical affairs plan for renal cancer theranostics, driving cross-functional alignment and strategic initiatives to enhance patient outcomes and advance clini...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $200K *

Lead the charge in developing competitive oncology strategies, ensuring client needs are met through collaboration and expertise. Drive business development and enhance client relations while overseei...

Raleigh, NCRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $161K *

Advance your career by coordinating clinical trial budgets and coverage analyses. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure compliance and cost efficiency while mentoring junior staff and enhancing admi...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

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

$200K - $398K *

Drive impactful legal strategies in a global clinical research environment, guiding senior leadership on complex regulatory and compliance matters while fostering innovation and risk management across...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$115K - $183K *

Shape transformative clinical programs and patient engagement strategies, ensuring sustainable outcomes across care settings. Lead a dynamic team while partnering with executives to enhance patient ex...

Anchorage, AKRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$177K - $221K *

Champion regulatory excellence by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance, and driving successful oncology drug development through strategic planning and expert guidance...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$155K - $190K *

Manage the planning and execution of CMC operations across multiple development programs, ensuring alignment with regulatory milestones and efficient collaboration with cross-functional teams and CDMO...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Oversee and implement integrated scientific communications plans, ensuring compliance and quality across publications, congress activities, and field medical content. Collaborate with cross-functional...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$112K - $222K *

Lead clinical site management teams through project lifecycle, ensuring effective monitoring and communication. Drive project deliverables, budget management, and sponsor engagement to achieve impactf...

Durham, NCRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing patient access through strategic design and management of support programs. Oversee vendor relationships and ensure compliance while driving initiatives that...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $150K *

Lead the Vendor Management Office, overseeing vendor governance, lifecycle management, and performance metrics. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure vendor services align with quality, compliance...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing research through effective contract management and procurement oversight. Lead negotiations, ensure compliance, and support the research community while super...

Lawrence, KSRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$180K - $220K *

Drive clinical excellence by providing medical expertise across therapeutic areas, ensuring safety and integrity in clinical trials. Collaborate with project teams and senior management to enhance cli...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$203K - $253K *

Strategize and lead patient advocacy and medical education initiatives, fostering collaboration with stakeholders to enhance patient engagement and inform Medical Affairs strategies. Drive impactful i...

United StatesRemote

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Lead site management efforts to optimize clinical oncology trial success while ensuring protocol compliance, data integrity, and subject safety through proactive monitoring and training initiatives...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$97K - $193K *

Join us to ensure the highest standards in clinical research as you manage site activities, foster relationships, and drive study success through proactive monitoring and compliance across the clinica...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $220K *

Empower innovation in clinical trials by developing strategies, overseeing operations, and cultivating partnerships. Drive excellence in research, enhance compliance, and manage a high-performing team...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Hospitals & Medical Centers

$150K - $180K *

Champion client relationships and optimize pharmaceutical distribution projects, leveraging extensive industry expertise to deliver high-quality solutions and insights while managing multiple accounts...

Florida, USRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Media

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing and overseeing scientific content across multiple therapeutic areas, ensuring high-quality contributions and strategic client interactions to drive growth and innovation...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$96K - $188K *

Manage clinical trial operations, ensuring compliance and quality in research activities. Oversee staff, develop strategies for patient recruitment, and maintain communication with stakeholders to enh...

Washington, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$110K - $130K *

Lead a high-performing team to manage comprehensive patient services, focusing on strategic operations, client relationships, and compliance. Ensure program performance meets KPIs while driving contin...

North Carolina, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$265K - $300K *

Shape the future of neurodegenerative disease diagnostics by leading scientific strategy, driving research programs, and building expert networks to establish industry leadership in innovative solutio...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $138K *

Drive clinical trial excellence by overseeing monitoring activities, ensuring compliance with protocols and regulations, and fostering collaboration across teams to enhance data integrity and site per...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing oncology clinical trials by ensuring compliance, monitoring site activities, and facilitating effective communication among stakeholders to drive successful o...

Blue Bell, PARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.