Clinical Project Director Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

The Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Southern California is seeking a Clinical Project Manager to support NIH- and foundation-funded clinical research programs focused on behavioral health, substance use, and mental health intervention development. Working under the supervision of Dr. Mark Prince, Associate Professor and Director of My Mental Health Data Analysis and Dissemination, the Clinical Project Manager will play a central role in coordinating research operations, ensuring regulatory compliance, supporting data quality and analysis, and managing project timelines, personnel, and finances for Dr. Prince's research portfolio.

The successful candidate will be motivated, proactive, resourceful, and detail-oriented, with excellent organizational and communication skills and the ability to manage complex projects in a fast-paced academic research environment. This role requires adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to collaborate effectively with investigators, research staff, university partners, and external stakeholders.

Essential job duties include, but are not limited to:

• Assist the Principal Investigator in formulating research objectives and translating those objectives into actionable project plans, timelines, and operational workflows.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate clinical research activities to ensure studies are conducted in accordance with approved protocols, institutional policies, and sponsor requirements.
• Develop, implement, document, and communicate operating policies, procedures, and systems to support research operations and ensure consistency across projects.
• Contribute to the design and refinement of research protocols, including procedures for data acquisition, management, and quality control.
• Support data management and analytic workflows, including oversight of data quality, monitoring of analytic outputs, and preparation of technical summaries and reports.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of research activities and protocols; identify, document, and report deviations or compliance issues, and support corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with institutional, federal, and regulatory standards, including IRB, NIH, and other sponsor requirements.
• Support preparation for audits, reviews, and inspections by accrediting or regulatory agencies.
• Directly or indirectly supervise project staff, including coordinating assignments, providing training and technical guidance, monitoring progress, and supporting performance management in accordance with university policy.
• Develops and manages program budgets in collaboration with the Principal Investigator, department, and school partners.
• Processes procurement and reimbursements; facilitates vendor contracts and payments; reconciles accounts; and prepares financial reports. Serves as a liaison with university offices, including Purchasing and Accounts Payable, to ensure accurate, timely, and compliant transactions.
• Establish and maintain professional relationships with collaborators, university partners, and external stakeholders; represent the project and department at meetings, seminars, and professional events as appropriate.
• Promote and maintain safety, security, and compliance with departmental and university procedures, including dissemination of relevant safety and security information to staff.
• Perform other related duties as assigned or requested. The University reserves the right to add or change duties at any time.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or combined experience/education as substitute for minimum education
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in clinical research coordination, project management, or related work

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree
• 7 or more years of relevant experience in academic or clinical research environments
• Experience managing complex, multi-component research projects and interdisciplinary teams

Required Skills

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines, and work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills with a customer service-oriented mindset
• Ability to work collaboratively with investigators, staff, and institutional partners
• Familiarity with research compliance, quality assurance, and data management processes
• Ability to follow established USC and department policies, procedures, objectives, performance improvement, attendance, safety, environmental, and infection control guidelines, including adherence to the workplace Code of Conduct and Compliance Plan.

Work Location

This position is hybrid, and the employee must report to work at the USC Health Sciences Campus in Los Angeles, CA when scheduled. Work hours and on-site days may be subject to change depending on business needs.

Compensation

The annual budgeted salary range for this position is $92,000 - $100,000. When extending an offer of employment, the University of Southern California considers factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidate's work experience, education/training, key skills, internal peer equity, federal, state, and local laws, contractual stipulations, grant funding, as well as external market and organizational considerations.

USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to the Background Screening Policy Appendix D for specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

Minimum Education: Bachelor's degree
Minimum Experience: 5 years
Minimum Field of Expertise: Degree plus postgraduate certification/licensure in specialized clinical field. Current BCLS certification. Patient care and teaching experience. Familiarity with JCAHO requirements. Experience in conducting clinical research trials.

USC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC observes affirmative action obligations consistent with state and federal law. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal records in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for employers and the Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and with due consideration for patient and student safety. Please refer to theBackground Screening Policy Appendix Dfor specific employment screen implications for the position for which you are applying.

We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities. Applicants with questions about access or requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process should contact USC Human Resources by phone at (213) 821-8100, or by email atuschr@usc.edu. Inquiries will be treated as confidential to the extent permitted by law.

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