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Director Clinical Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Jade Biosciences

Director, Clinical Operations

Seattle, WA · On-site

$215K - $240K/yr

Director, Clinical Operations Boston; Remote; San Francisco; Seattle; Vancouver Jade Biosciences is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing best-in-class therapies that address ...

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Whoop

Director, Clinical Operations

Boston, MA · On-site

As the Director, Clinical Operations, you will lead the clinical operations function responsible for executing the studies that support WHOOP's regulated and unregulated health features, with a ...

Jade Biosciences

$215K - $240K/yr

Role Overview The Director, Clinical Operations will oversee the strategic and operational execution of clinical trials, leading cross-functional teams and collaborating with internal stakeholders ...

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How much do director clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for director 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 does a director of clinical operations do?

A director of clinical operations manages the daily operations of a healthcare facility or a specific department within a clinic or hospital. As a director of clinical operations, your responsibilities include scheduling staff to ensure proper coverage of patients and overseeing the productivity of your team to meet the organization's expectations. You define policies and procedures, facilitating further training when necessary. The director of clinical operations must also assess the performance of the medical team under your supervision regularly and mainstream processes when possible. Medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies often hire a director of clinical operations to oversee research, lab, and testing operations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director of clinical operations?

To thrive as a Director of Clinical Operations, you need a robust background in clinical management, regulatory compliance, and healthcare administration, often supported by a relevant degree and substantial leadership experience. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic data capture (EDC) tools, and certifications like PMP or CCRA are commonly required. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills help drive teams, manage stakeholders, and oversee complex projects. These skills are critical for ensuring clinical programs run efficiently, meet regulatory standards, and deliver high-quality patient outcomes.

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

AspectDirector Clinical OperationsClinical Project Manager
CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., MS, PhD) and extensive industry experienceUsually holds a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field, with relevant project management certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects and teams across departments, strategic planningManages individual clinical trials, coordinates project activities, and timelines
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in pharmaceutical, biotech, and healthcare companies for senior leadership rolesCommonly employed in clinical research organizations and pharmaceutical companies for trial management

The main difference is that the Director Clinical Operations focuses on strategic oversight and leadership across multiple clinical trials, while the Clinical Project Manager handles the day-to-day management of specific clinical studies. Both roles require strong industry knowledge, but the director position involves broader responsibilities and higher-level decision-making.

What does a director of clinical operations do?

A Director of Clinical Operations is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management and strategic direction of clinical trials and research activities within healthcare organizations or pharmaceutical companies. They ensure that clinical studies are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in compliance with regulatory requirements. This role involves supervising teams, managing budgets, developing protocols, and liaising with stakeholders to ensure successful trial outcomes. Directors of Clinical Operations play a crucial role in bringing new medical treatments to market by ensuring studies run smoothly from start to finish.

How does a director of clinical operations typically collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful clinical trial execution?

A Director of Clinical Operations regularly collaborates with cross-functional teams such as regulatory affairs, data management, medical affairs, and biostatistics to ensure clinical trials are executed on time, within budget, and in compliance with regulations. This role involves leading team meetings, aligning project timelines, and facilitating communication between internal stakeholders and external partners like CROs and vendors. Strong coordination skills are essential, as the Director must balance diverse priorities and resolve any operational issues that arise, ensuring all teams work toward shared objectives.
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Director Clinical Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Clinical Operations job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,969 per year, or $70.2 per hour.

Director, Clinical Operations

Incyte Corporation

Wilmington, DE • On-site

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

Overview
A global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to Solve On, Incyte follows science to find solutions for patients with unmet medical needs. Through the discovery, development, and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics, Incyte has established a portfolio of first-in-class medicines for patients and a strong pipeline of products in Hematology, Oncology and Inflammation and Autoimmunity
Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Incyte has operations in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Job Summary (Primary function)
The Director, Clinical Operations provides strategic, operational, and people leadership for global Phase I-III clinical trials, including first-in-human and pivotal studies. This role oversees end-to-end clinical trial execution, ensures compliance with FDA/EMEA regulations and ICH-GCP, manages CROs and vendors, and partners cross-functionally to deliver high-quality clinical programs aligned with corporate objectives. The Director also leads Clinical Operations staff, drives operational excellence, and contributes to program-level planning across Incyte's Hematology, Oncology, and Inflammation/Autoimmunity portfolio.
Essential Functions of the Job (Key responsibilities)
  • Provide strategic operational leadership for assigned clinical programs, including feasibility, resource forecasting, and long-range planning.
  • Contribute to program-level strategy, timelines, budgets, and operational deliverables in alignment with corporate goals.
  • Ensure harmonized operational plans and high-quality data across global trials.
  • Lead end-to-end planning, implementation, and management of global Phase I-III trials, including first-in-human studies.
  • Oversee day-to-day clinical operations to ensure adherence to timelines, budgets, SOPs, ICH-GCP, and country-specific regulations.
  • Manage investigational product accountability and reconciliation processes.
  • Support preparation of safety updates, interim analyses, and final clinical study reports; resolve data discrepancies.
  • Partner closely with Clinical Development, Regulatory, Biometrics, Supply Chain, and other internal teams to achieve study objectives.
  • Lead and/or participate in cross-functional study team meetings, ensuring alignment and timely decision-making.
  • Collaborate with senior management to determine clinical supply requirements and operational strategy.
  • Select, negotiate, and manage CROs and external vendors (central labs, EDC providers, patient recruitment partners, etc.).
  • Develop RFPs, conduct cost analyses, and ensure vendor performance meets quality, timeline, and budget expectations.
  • Provide strategic oversight of CRO governance and issue resolution.
  • Contribute to the development and review of protocols, amendments, ICFs, CRFs, study guides, operational plans, and charters.
  • Participate in preparation of INDs, Investigator Brochures, regulatory briefing documents, and other clinical submissions.
  • Ensure operational feasibility and high-quality clinical data across studies.
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with investigator sites, KOLs, patient advocacy groups, and referral networks.
  • Support site engagement strategies to ensure enrollment targets and study goals are met.
  • Recruit, manage, and mentor Clinical Trial Managers, Clinical Trial Specialists, and other direct reports.
  • Provide clear objectives, ongoing coaching, and performance evaluations.
  • Foster a culture of engagement, accountability, and collaboration.
  • Provide regular updates and status reports to senior leadership.

Qualifications (Minimal acceptable level of education, work experience, and competency)
  • Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or related field required.
  • 10+ years of clinical operations experience in biopharma or biotech.
  • Minimum 5 years of direct clinical study management experience.
  • Extensive experience managing global Phase I-III trials; first-in-human experience strongly preferred.
  • Oncology experience preferred; rare disease experience desirable.
  • Global clinical development experience preferred.
  • Strong knowledge of FDA/EMEA regulations, ICH-GCP, and clinical trial methodology.
  • Proven ability to manage CROs and external vendors.
  • Experience with clinical systems (EDC, CTMS, eTMF) and operational documentation.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage budgets, timelines, and complex operational plans.
  • Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams.
  • Strong organizational, time-management, and problem-solving skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, high-energy environment.
  • Ability to travel domestically and internationally (up to 30%).

Disclaimer: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications. Management reserves the right to change or modify such duties as required.
Incyte Corporation is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.
We Respect Your Privacy
Learn more at: http://www.incyte.com/privacy-policy
The Incyte hiring organization processes your personal data to manage your job application in order to enter into an employment relationship with you if you are the successful candidate.
During the process, you may be asked to respond to questions that will screen out your application if you do not meet certain objective criteria required by the job. You can learn more about this process here.
You may have the right to access, delete, restrict, edit, move, or object to the use of your personal data. You may also have a right to report concerns to the authority responsible for data privacy in the country where the position is based or where you live or work.
You can learn more about Incyte's data protection practices here. By accessing this link you can learn about the types of personal data we collect, how we use it, whether collection and processing is optional, sources of the personal data we process, how it is shared, where it is stored or transferred to, how long we keep it, and contact information for Incyte, Incyte's data protection officer, and your supervisory authority (if applicable).
Please contact privacy@incyte.com if you have any questions or concerns or would like to exercise your rights.
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