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Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

LifeSkills Connection, Inc.

Clinical Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role partners with the Office Coordinator, who oversees site operations and administrative staff, and reports to the Executive Vice President. RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct Clinical Care * Maintain ...

LifeSkills Connection Inc.

Clinical Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role partners with the Office Coordinator, who oversees site operations and administrative staff, and reports to the Executive Vice President. RESPONSIBILITIES Direct Clinical Care * Maintain an ...

LifeSkills Connection Inc

Clinical Director

Ankeny, IA · On-site

$75K - $102K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

This role partners with the Office Coordinator, who oversees site operations and administrative staff, and reports to the Executive Vice President. RESPONSIBILITIES: Direct Clinical Care * Maintain ...

Elevate CCBHC

Clinical Director

Waterloo, IA · On-site

$74K - $101K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Clinical Director oversees the daily clinical operations and flow of services, supports compliance and quality improvement initiatives, provides direct clinical care, and supervises clinical ...

ChenMed

Associate Center Clinical Director

Ferguson, IA

$74K - $101K/yr

Ensures successful clinical operations and meeting/exceeding plan market earnings. * Manages, mentors and coaches Medical Directors in his/her assigned market to deliver outstanding clinical outcomes.

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All JobsClinical Operations JobsDirector Clinical Operations JobsDirector Clinical Operations Jobs in Iowa

Director Clinical Operations information

See Iowa salary details

$56.4K

$137.1K

$265.3K

How much do director clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for director clinical operations in Iowa is $137,104.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $95,800.00 and $163,000.00 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.
More about Director Clinical Operations jobs

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

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

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

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

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

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

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Clinical Operations jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Director Clinical Operations job openings:

Director Clinical Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Clinical Operations job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $137,104 per year, or $65.9 per hour.

Director of Clinical Program Operations

RXinsider LTD.

West Des Moines, IA • On-site

$140 - $230/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The Director, Program Operations is responsible for leading and optimizing key operational functions that support the delivery of Outcomes’ clinical programs. This role provides strategic oversight of Quality, Clinical Operations, and Patient Communications, ensuring processes are efficient, scalable, and compliant with regulatory requirements.

The Director partners cross-functionally to establish performance metrics, drive continuous improvement, and ensure consistent execution of operational standards that support high-quality outcomes for clients and patients.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIESQuality Oversight
  • Lead the Quality function, including direct oversight of individual contributors
  • Establish departmental goals, KPIs, and performance metrics aligned with organizational objectives
  • Continuously evaluate and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of quality assurance processes
  • Oversee the development and maintenance of network guides, policies and procedural resources
Clinical Operations Leadership
  • Provide strategic oversight to Clinical Operations, including management of the Clinical Operations leader
  • Ensure effective management of clinical engines and operational workflows supporting all clinical programs
  • Drive consistency, scalability, and performance across clinical processes
Patient Communications Oversight
  • Lead the Patient Communications function, including oversight of communications sent to patients
  • Ensure all patient-facing communications meet applicable CMS and regulatory requirements
  • Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to patient engagement strategies
Process Improvement & Governance
  • Establish and monitor operational metrics to drive accountability and continuous improvement
  • Identify opportunities to enhance operational efficiency, reduce risk, and improve outcomes
  • Ensure alignment of processes across Quality, Clinical Operations, and Patient Communications
Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with Product, Engineering, Compliance, and Client-facing teams to support program success
  • Provide operational insights to influence program design, implementation, and ongoing optimization
MANAGEMENT & SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Directly manages multiple functional areas, including:
  • Quality (individual contributors)
  • Clinical Operations (manager-level direct report)
  • Patient Communications (individual contributors)
  • Responsible for team performance management, goal setting, coaching, and development
  • Contributes to hiring, workforce planning, and organizational design decisions
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
  • Strong understanding of healthcare operations, clinical program delivery, and quality assurance processes
  • Ability to develop and implement performance metrics and operational KPIs
  • Demonstrated success driving process improvement and operational efficiency at scale
  • Knowledge of CMS requirements and regulatory considerations related to patient communications
  • Strong leadership, organizational, and cross-functional collaboration skills
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
QUALIFICATIONS
  • PharmD or Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy; Licensed Registered Pharmacist (RPh) required
  • Healthcare industry experience required
  • Experience leading operational or clinical teams preferred
  • Prior experience in quality, clinical operations, or patient engagement functions preferred
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

  • Frequent sitting in stationary position at a desk
  • Occasional standing, walking, stooping, kneeling, squatting, and climbing stairs
  • Occasional twisting of body
  • Occasional reaching by extending hands and arms in any direction
  • Occasional lifting, pulling, or pushing
What’s In It For You?
  • Medical, Dental and Vision Plans
  • Voluntary Benefits
  • HSA & FSA
  • Fertility & Family Planning Benefits
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Adoption Assistance Program
  • Employee Resource Groups
  • Flex PTO for Exempt Associates & up to 15 PTO days in first year of employment for non exempt associates
  • 11 Paid Holidays
  • Corporate Wellness Program
  • 401(k) plan offering both pretax and Roth contributions, plus an employer match
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