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Clinical Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

BigHat

Senior Director, Clinical Operations

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$275 - $295/hr

Senior Director, Clinical Operations Department: Drug Development Employment Type: Full Time Location: San Mateo, CA Description The role: We are seeking an experienced and motivated Clinical ...

IQVIA

Manager, Clinical Operations

Carlsbad, CA

$86K - $216K/yr

Ensures that staff are meeting defined workload and quality metrics through regular review and reporting of findings as outlined by clinical operations management. May collaborate with other clinical ...

IQVIA

Manager, Clinical Operations

Carlsbad, CA

$86K - $216K/yr

Ensures that staff are meeting defined workload and quality metrics through regular review and reporting of findings as outlined by clinical operations management. May collaborate with other clinical ...

Neighbor

Manager of Clinical Operations

San Diego, CA · On-site

$113 - $141/hr

Manager of Clinical Operations Regular Full-Time San Diego, CA, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 3389 Salary Range: $113,152.00 To $141,419.00 Annually JOB POSTING At Father Joe's Villages, healthcare ...

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Father-Joe

Manager of Clinical Operations

San Diego, CA · On-site

$113 - $141/hr

Manager of Clinical Operations Regular Full-Time San Diego, CA, US 6 days ago Requisition ID: 3389 Salary Range: $113,152.00 To $141,419.00 Annually JOB POSTING At Father Joe's Villages, healthcare ...

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All JobsClinical Operations JobsClinical Operations Jobs in California

Clinical Operations information

See California salary details

$34.5K

$96.8K

$184.1K

How much do clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for clinical operations in California is $96,755.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $71,600.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is clinical operations?

Clinical operations refers to the planning, management, and execution of clinical trials and research studies within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries. Professionals in clinical operations ensure that studies are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. Their responsibilities may include site management, patient recruitment, data collection, and ensuring protocol adherence. The goal is to facilitate the safe and effective development of new medical treatments and therapies.

How does a clinical operations professional typically collaborate with cross-functional teams during a clinical trial?

Clinical Operations professionals play a central role in coordinating activities among various teams such as regulatory affairs, data management, biostatistics, and clinical research associates. They ensure that timelines are met, protocols are followed, and all departments are aligned with trial objectives. Regular meetings, clear communication, and the ability to anticipate and resolve operational challenges are essential to successful collaboration. This cross-functional teamwork helps maintain trial quality and regulatory compliance throughout the study.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in clinical operations, and why are they important?

To thrive in Clinical Operations, you need expertise in clinical trial management, regulatory compliance, and data analysis, typically supported by a degree in life sciences or a related field. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), Good Clinical Practice (GCP) certification, and electronic data capture (EDC) platforms is essential. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help coordinate teams and ensure project timelines are met. These skills are crucial for guaranteeing efficient, compliant, and successful clinical trial execution in a highly regulated environment.

What is the difference between Clinical Operations vs Clinical Research Associate?

AspectClinical OperationsClinical Research Associate
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree, experience in clinical trial managementBachelor's degree, often with certification in clinical research
Work EnvironmentProject management, coordinating multiple trial sitesMonitoring clinical sites, ensuring protocol compliance
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceutical companies, CROs, biotech firmsResearch sites, CROs, pharmaceutical companies
Common Search & ComparisonFocuses on trial oversight and managementFocuses on site monitoring and data verification

Clinical Operations professionals oversee the planning, coordination, and management of clinical trials, ensuring they run smoothly across multiple sites. Clinical Research Associates primarily monitor clinical trial sites, verify data accuracy, and ensure compliance with protocols. While both roles require knowledge of clinical research, Clinical Operations has a broader scope involving project management, whereas CRAs focus on site-level monitoring.

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Clinical Operations jobs?

Cities in California with the most Clinical Operations job openings:

Clinical Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Clinical Operations job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,755 per year, or $46.5 per hour.

Head of Clinical Operations

Kumquat Biosciences Inc

San Diego, CA

$225K - $325K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Description

We are looking for a highly experienced and results-driven Head of Clinical Operations to join our team at Kumquat Biosciences. As the Head of Clinical Operations, you will be responsible for overseeing the planning, execution, and delivery of clinical trial programs in collaboration with the medical product leads. This individual will oversee clinical operations across multiple studies and be responsible for operational excellence to meet corporate and clinical program goals. An ideal candidate is a strategic thinker with deep experience in clinical operations and cross-functional collaboration with excellent communication skills in the life sciences or healthcare industry.


Key Responsibilities:


  • Oversee the day-to-day clinical operations team, including Clinical Operations Study Leads (COSLs), Clinical Research Associates (CRAs), and other operations staff.
  • Develop and implement SOPs, work instructions, tools, templates, workflows, and study-level performance metrics to optimize operational efficiency and compliance.
  • Strike new and manage existing business relationships with CROs, clinical sites, vendors, and consultants to ensure high-quality vendor performance and financial accountability.
  • Collaborate with Medical, Clinical Science, Data Management, Quality Assurance, Regulatory, Clinical Supply, Regulatory and other departments to support clinical development programs.
  • Perform as a key member of a product development team to provide timelines, budgets, feasibility, and product strategy
  • Support COSLs in study start-up, development of study budgets, plans, and timely and quality study execution with excellent vendor oversight. 
  • Monitor clinical trial progress, identify risks and mitigation strategies, and provide regular updates to leadership.
  • Help strategize with study teams for rapid study start-up, site initiation, accruals to assigned product trials, and rapid database locks (60 days or less).
  • Ensure compliance with ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and other applicable global regulatory requirements.
  • Lead and mentor team members, fostering a high-performance culture and supporting professional development.
  • Help lead inspection readiness initiative and regulatory authority inspections/audits. Be a key member of the audit response team. 


Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree in a related field (Life Sciences, Nursing, etc.).
  • Minimum of 12 years of clinical research experience, including 5+ years in a leadership or management role.
  • Experience in early-phase oncology trials, and/or immunology and inflammation (I & I) trials, biomarker driven therapy, and small molecule drugs
  • Clinical operations lead of a minimum of 1 prior successful product approval and NDA submission with experience of a minimum of 1 accelerated approval pathway and compressed regulatory timelines
  • Experience in global clinical trials, early and late phase research
  • Strong understanding of clinical development processes, ICH-GCP, FDA, and international regulatory requirements.
  • Proven track record of successfully managing global clinical trials across all phases.
  • Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.
  • Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic, and collaborative environment.


Apply