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Clinical Operation Associate Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Clinical Operation Associate information

What is a clinical operation associate?

Clinical Operation Associates are professionals who support the planning, coordination, and execution of clinical trials within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or clinical research organizations. They help ensure that clinical studies adhere to regulatory guidelines, timelines, and quality standards. Their responsibilities often include documentation management, assisting with trial site communications, tracking study progress, and supporting the clinical operations team with administrative tasks. Clinical Operation Associates play a vital role in the smooth running of clinical trials, contributing to the development of new medical treatments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a clinical operation associate?

To thrive as a Clinical Operation Associate, you need a solid understanding of clinical trial processes, regulatory guidelines, and a relevant degree in life sciences or a health-related field. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic data capture (EDC), and basic project management tools is typically required. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills in this role. These capabilities ensure regulatory compliance, efficient trial execution, and seamless coordination among stakeholders in clinical research settings.

What are some common challenges clinical operation associates face when coordinating clinical trials, and how can they be managed?

Clinical Operation Associates often encounter challenges such as managing tight timelines, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating communication among diverse stakeholders. Balancing multiple study sites and adapting to protocol amendments can also add complexity. Effective organization, proactive communication, and a strong understanding of clinical trial processes are key to overcoming these hurdles. Collaborating closely with site staff, clinical monitors, and project managers helps ensure that issues are identified early and addressed promptly, contributing to smoother trial operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Operation jobs in California?

The most popular types of Clinical Operation jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Clinical Operation Associate jobs in California?

For Clinical Operation Associate jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Clinical Operation Associate jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Clinical Operation Associate jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Clinical Operation Associate jobs?

Cities in California with the most Clinical Operation Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Clinical Operation Associate job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Associate Director, Clinical Operations

South San Francisco, CA

Full-time

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Associate Director, Clinical Operations will provide leadership and operational oversight of Clinical Operations activities to execute clinical studies in a manner that ensures milestones and company goals are met, and costs maintained within budget. This role will have program-level accountability for timeline, budget, quality, risk management, and ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP)

The position will work in a cross-functional environment with representatives from other involved functions and will oversee the activities of Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) and other vendors in the conduct and management of clinical studies. The successful candidate may eventually mentor junior staff in the set-up, maintenance, and close-out of clinical trials.

In this role, the Associate Director will be a key clinical operations leader supporting our MAR001program.  MAR001 is a a monoclonal antibody aiming to be the first biologic with a clean metabolic profile for the treatment of sHTG.  MAR001 has the potential to become best-in-disease and is rapidly progressing from phase 2to phase 3 clinical development.   This Associate Director position will be expected to drive execution across study start-up, vendor oversight, and delivery of high-quality late phase clinical data in a lipid disorders setting.

This is a full-time, South San Francisco-based position with the expectation of working on-site at least three days per week.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Clinical Study Leadership

  • Support program lead with setting and timely executing the development strategies for the clinical studies.
  • Responsible for the strategic and operational oversight, management, execution, and delivery of the clinical studies for MAR001 and related clinical program activities.
  • Lead the Study Management Team (SMT) for assigned clinical study.
  • Resolve and/or escalate issues raised by the clinical operations team or the SMT.
  • Ensure consistency between studies for assigned clinical program.

CRO and Vendor Management

  • Support vendor selection, including request for proposals, leading bid defense meetings, critical review of contracts and negotiation of work orders.
  • Oversee CROs and other selected vendors on a product level including setting and monitoring key performance indicators and ensuring successful execution of the clinical program/studies and may co-lead operational governance meetings.
  • Act as the main escalation point of contact for strategic CRO partner(s) for the assigned study and for the key stakeholders internally at Marea.

Study Planning, Risk Mitigation, and Enrollment

  • Identification and oversight of potential challenges or risks with clinical study conduct and implementation of mitigation plans.
  • Responsible for development and execution of clinical site engagement and subject recruitment strategies for assigned study.

Trial Design, Documentation, and Submissions Support

  • Provide input and clinical operations perspective on clinical trial design.
  • Author, provide input and/or oversee program level and study level documents to support clinical studies and regulatory submissions.

Budget, Resource Planning, and Operational Excellence

  • Oversee financial aspects of assigned clinical study, including preparing related operating plans and ensuring adherence to planned study budgets.
  • Oversee resource planning for assigned study to support Clinical Operations department head in overall departmental resource management.
  • Support Clinical Operations department head with strategic initiatives and the implementation of those initiatives for process and operational improvements.

Inspection Readiness, Quality, and SOP Support

  • Oversee/co-lead inspection readiness activities as it relates to clinical study execution and act as subject matter expert during regulatory inspections.
  • Support Clinical Operations department on clinical SOP development.
  • Support Clinical Operations department on ad hoc initiatives to leverage best practices as well as new technologies and applications for clinical study conduct.

QUALIFICATIONS
  • BA/BS or higher degree in a relevant scientific discipline required.
  • Significant experience (10+ years) of clinical research / clinical operations and organizational management within the pharmaceutical industry; Biotech/small pharma experience preferred.
  • Global clinical trial research experience preferred;
  • Experience in phases 1-3 preferred; global phase 2-3 experience necessary
  • Experience leading cross functional teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to present complex information to management, vendors and external audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to create and manage one or more program budgets including communication of overspend/underspend.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage and communicate effectively with vendors including negotiating contracts, drafting and reviewing request for proposals, analyzing scope of work, responding to inquiries and complaints.
  • Strong attention to detail and the ability to establish priorities for the team.
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with multiple competing tasks and demands, across multiple time zones.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently, take initiative, complete tasks to deadlines and support Clinical Operations team in doing the same.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate and mentor staff and teams.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • High level of professionalism with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Demonstrated ability to remove barriers to success.
  • In-depth knowledge of current regulatory requirements and guidelines governing clinical research (e.g., ICH-GCP).
  • Previous line management or direct management of team members.

PAY RANGE

The salary range for this role is $190,000 - $210,000. Compensation and title will be competitive and commensurate with the candidate's experience, qualifications, and the responsibilities of the position.