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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$284K - $385K *

Elevate your career by leading clinical trials in solid tumor oncology, driving innovative research and collaboration to achieve impactful milestones in drug development for patients with serious dise...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$135K - $170K *

Empower clinical excellence by leading multi-country teams to deliver high-quality clinical trials. Drive operational success through strategic planning, team training, and compliance, ensuring timely...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Champion clinical excellence by overseeing studies with a blend of remote and on-site monitoring. Leverage your expertise in CNS, oncology, or metabolic indications to ensure compliance and enhance si...

San Diego, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing clinical research by ensuring compliance and quality in trials. You'll monitor sites, conduct visits, and collaborate with teams to uphold the highest standar...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$265K - $289K *

Lead clinical pharmacology strategies across drug development stages, overseeing modeling, regulatory submissions, and external collaborations. Drive innovative approaches to inform decision-making an...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$211K - $264K *

Join a dynamic team as a Clinical Operations leader, overseeing clinical trials and CRO management. Drive strategic planning, ensure compliance, and mentor staff while managing timelines and budgets f...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$180K - $220K *

Champion the clinical development strategy for neuropsychiatric programs, providing scientific leadership and overseeing study design, execution, and regulatory submissions to advance innovative treat...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$171K - $218K *

Lead global clinical trials by managing cross-functional teams, ensuring compliance with regulations, and delivering quality outcomes on time and within budget. Collaborate with stakeholders to drive...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$90K - $130K *

Transform the future of clinical research by leading a dedicated team in managing trials, ensuring compliance, and driving operational excellence across diverse projects while fostering collaboration...

3 weeks ago

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

$139K - $231K *

Shape the future of clinical research by leading trials, ensuring safety, and overseeing medical governance. Collaborate with teams to drive study success while providing expert medical support and gu...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Transform clinical development operations by owning process engineering methodologies, ensuring scalable, compliant processes, and leading strategic initiatives that enhance operational excellence acr...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$134K - $267K *

Champion clinical excellence by providing medical oversight and leadership in global research. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure participant safety and drive successful clinical outcom...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $267K *

Lead the charge in clinical research as a Medical Director, providing oversight and expertise to ensure participant safety and high-quality outcomes across global studies while collaborating with cros...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $267K *

Shape the future of clinical research by providing medical oversight and expertise. Collaborate with global teams to ensure participant safety and drive successful outcomes in innovative healthcare so...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $267K *

Elevate healthcare by providing medical oversight and expertise in clinical trials. Collaborate with global teams to ensure participant safety and drive successful outcomes in a dynamic research envir...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$134K - $267K *

Elevate your career as you provide medical oversight and leadership in clinical research, ensuring participant safety and driving successful outcomes in a global environment. Collaborate with cross-fu...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of clinical care by leading a dedicated team, ensuring evidence-based practices, and enhancing patient-centered services while maintaining compliance and productivity standards...

2 days ago

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

$230K - $250K *

Drive impactful research initiatives, collaborate with leaders, mentor analysts, and engage clients through insightful contributions in the Biotech/Pharma sectors to enhance investment strategies...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Business Services

$164K - $190K *

Drive clinical development strategies by leading study design, execution, and oversight. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure compliance and optimize clinical outcomes for both marketed and pipeli...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$175K - $210K *

Elevate your career by leading Clinical Pharmacology initiatives, driving strategic drug development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve impactful results in a dynamic environmen...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$261K - $307K *

Drive the clinical pharmacology strategy for small-molecule development, leading a team while collaborating across functions to ensure timely execution of studies and regulatory submissions, enhancing...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $130K *

Transform strategic operations across multiple clinical divisions, driving program growth and enhancing service delivery. Lead initiatives for regional expansion and multi-site management while ensuri...

2 weeks ago

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

$108K - $152K *

Join a team that's dedicated to leading clinical research monitoring efforts, ensuring compliance and quality in trial execution while mentoring a skilled team of CRAs and CRCs to achieve operational...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$220K - $245K *

Drive the operational execution and strategic oversight of clinical development programs, ensuring timely delivery, budget compliance, and regulatory readiness. Collaborate cross-functionally to suppo...

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$91K - $137K *

Shape the future of clinical research by managing site operations, ensuring patient safety, and maintaining data integrity. Collaborate with study teams to oversee monitoring activities and drive succ...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   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.