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How much do associate director of clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate director of clinical operations in the United States is $145,969.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,000.00 and $173,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by an Associate Director of Clinical Operations, and how can they be effectively managed?

Associate Directors of Clinical Operations often encounter challenges such as coordinating cross-functional teams, ensuring regulatory compliance, and managing tight project timelines. Balancing the needs of different stakeholders—including clinical staff, regulatory bodies, and sponsors—requires strong communication and organizational skills. Proactively addressing potential bottlenecks, maintaining open lines of communication, and fostering collaborative relationships across departments are key strategies for overcoming these challenges. Additionally, staying updated on industry regulations and best practices helps ensure smooth clinical trial execution and successful project outcomes.

What does an Associate Director of Clinical Operations do?

An Associate Director of Clinical Operations oversees the planning, execution, and management of clinical trials within a healthcare or pharmaceutical organization. They ensure that studies comply with regulatory requirements, company standards, and timelines. Their responsibilities often include managing clinical teams, collaborating with cross-functional departments, and overseeing budgets and resources. This role is pivotal in driving clinical programs from start to finish, ensuring quality and efficiency in all operations.

What is the difference between Associate Director Of Clinical Operations vs Clinical Project Manager?

AspectAssociate Director Of Clinical OperationsClinical Project Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple clinical projects, manages teams, and develops operational strategiesManages individual clinical trials, coordinates project activities, and ensures timelines
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in life sciences, with experience in clinical operationsBachelor's in life sciences or related field, with project management experience
Work EnvironmentCorporate clinical operations departments, often in biotech or pharma companiesClinical trial sites, CROs, or pharmaceutical companies

The Associate Director Of Clinical Operations typically oversees multiple projects and manages teams, focusing on strategic operational functions. In contrast, a Clinical Project Manager handles specific clinical trials, focusing on day-to-day project execution. Both roles require relevant scientific credentials and experience in clinical settings, but their scope and responsibilities differ significantly.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Associate Director of Clinical Operations, and why are they important?

To excel as an Associate Director of Clinical Operations, you need a solid background in clinical research, regulatory compliance, and project management, typically supported by an advanced degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines, and industry certifications such as PMP or CCRP is highly beneficial. Outstanding leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication skills set top performers apart in this role. These competencies ensure efficient study execution, regulatory adherence, and team coordination, which are critical for successful clinical trial outcomes.
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Associate Director Of Clinical Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Director Of Clinical Operations job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 97% Full Time, and 3% Part Time. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,969 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Associate Director - Clinical Operations

Excelsior Collage

Albany, NY • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

The Associate Director of Clinical Operations is responsible for the leadership, coordination, and execution of clinical operations for the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Reporting to the Associate Dean, Academic Operations, this position supports the planning, development, and implementation of clinical operations to ensure high-quality, compliant, and scalable clinical and practice experiences for students.
This role also provides oversight of State Board of Nursing operations, ensuring accurate, timely, and compliant licensure support services for students and graduates across all jurisdictions. The Associate Director supervises State Board staff and ensures alignment of licensure processes with institutional, regulatory, and student success goals.
This role functions as a working leader, actively contributing to daily clinical operations workflows while supervising and guiding the clinical operations team. The Associate Director balances strategic oversight with direct participation in operational tasks, particularly during peak academic cycles and critical periods, ensuring continuity, efficiency, and service excellence.
We believe work should fit your life, not the other way around. Our hybrid schedule includes two days on site in our Albany office, with the flexibility to work remotely the remaining days. Spend less time commuting and more time focusing on meaningful work or personal priorities. Core hours are 8:30 AM-5:00 PM, including a 1-hour lunch, for a 37.5-hour week.
Success in this role is measured by effective clinical placements, operational efficiency, clinical and accreditation compliance, strong partner relationships, and team performance.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities, including but not limited to:
Leadership and Operational Management
  • Lead the planning, development, and execution of clinical operations initiatives, ensuring timelines, deliverables, and outcomes are achieved.

  • Provide direct supervision, coaching, and performance management for clinical operations team, including hiring, training, assigning work, and evaluating performance.

  • Model operational best practices by actively engaging in team workflows and demonstrating effective process execution.

  • Ensure equitable workload distribution while maintaining the ability to independently perform team responsibilities.

  • Ensure continuity of operations by directly assuming responsibilities during staffing shortages, peak periods, or complex situations.

  • Provide direct oversight and supervision of the State Board team, including State Board Coordinators and related roles, ensuring high-quality, compliant licensure support services.

  • Establish performance expectations, monitor workload distribution, and ensure timely processing of licensure-related activities and student communications.

  • Ensure staff maintain current knowledge of evolving state-by-state licensure requirements and service protocols.

Working Leadership / Direct Operational Support
  • Function as a working leader by actively performing clinical operations tasks alongside team members.

  • Maintain working proficiency in all Clinical Operations Associate responsibilities, including:

  • Maintaining and auditing health record/compliance databases.

  • Managing student records and documentation systems.

  • Preparing, tracking, and reconciling clinical and practice experience assignments.

  • Communicating with students, faculty, and clinical partners regarding requirements, placements, and compliance.

  • Provide direct operational support during high-volume periods (e.g., term start, clinical clearance deadlines).

  • Serve as both escalation point and operational backup for all team functions.

  • Troubleshoot and resolve complex operational issues through both leadership and hands-on engagement.

Clinical Placement and Partner Management
  • Collaborate with faculty leadership to establish, develop, and maintain clinical placement sites aligned with program goals.

  • Oversee affiliation agreements and contracts with clinical partners, including initiation, renewal, and termination.

  • Manage coordination and tracking of clinical placements to ensure appropriate student placement and regulatory compliance.

  • Identify and resolve issues related to clinical placements and partner relationships.

Compliance, Systems, and Reporting
  • Ensure compliance with healthcare partner requirements, regulatory standards, and accreditation expectations.

  • Serve as a subject matter expert, liaison, and active system user for clinical systems and health record databases, ensuring data accuracy through direct entry, audit, and reporting activities.

  • Develop and maintain processes that ensure students and faculty meet eligibility requirements for clinical participation.

  • Prepare, review, and maintain accurate records, reports, and documentation related to clinical operations.

Process Improvement and Collaboration
  • Develop and implement standardized processes, procedures, and documentation to improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

  • Collaborate with academic leadership and cross-functional departments to support operational goals and resolve challenges.

  • Assist in onboarding and supporting clinical instructors and preceptors as needed.

Other Duties
  • Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able and willing to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
  • Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.

  • Minimum of 5 years' experience in operations or clinical coordination environment.

  • Demonstrated experience managing staff, including supervision, performance management, and team development.

  • Proven ability to balance strategic leadership with hands-on operational execution.

  • Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and problem-solving skills.

  • Ability to manage complex workflows and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience working in higher education or distance education environments.

  • Familiarity with clinical placement systems and compliance tracking platforms.

The hiring salary range for this position is $64,000 - $67,000. The hiring salary range above represents the University's good faith estimate at the time of posting.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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