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Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

The Director partners closely with executive leadership, Finance, Clinical Operations, Provider Data Management, Legal, Local Leadership, Utilization Management, and Strategic Initiatives to advance ...

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Director Clinical Operations information

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$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.

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 cities in Iowa are hiring for Director Clinical Operations jobs?

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

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.

Regional Director of Clinical Compliance & Quality

Prestige Healthcare Management

West Des Moines, IA โ€ข On-site

$88K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

The Regional Director of Clinical Compliance & Quality is responsible for leading, developing, implementing, monitoring, and sustaining clinical compliance, QAPI, clinical education, auditing systems, survey readiness, and quality improvement initiatives across assigned facilities.


The Regional Director of Clinical Compliance & Quality will work directly with facility leadership teams, including Administrators, Directors of Nursing, Assistant Directors of Nursing, MDS Coordinators, Infection Preventionists, Staff Development Coordinators, department managers, and frontline clinical staff to ensure all buildings remain in compliance with CMS requirements, state regulations, federal regulations, company policies, standards of nursing practice, and accepted quality improvement standards.


Major Duties & Responsibilities

  • Maintain a physical presence in the building a minimum of 3–4 days per week.

  • Review and monitor all areas of clinical risk, quality outcomes, resident care systems, and regulatory compliance.

  • Work directly with facility leadership to identify immediate compliance concerns and develop corrective action plans.

  • Assist the Administrator and Director of Nursing with daily clinical operations related to compliance, survey readiness, and quality improvement.

  • Conduct daily clinical rounds while on-site, including resident observations, staff interviews, care validation, and environmental review.

  • Monitor systems related to high-risk clinical areas, including falls, wounds, infections, weight loss, accidents/incidents, psychotropic medications, abuse prevention, elopement risk, change in condition, hospitalization, and resident grievances.

  • Ensure corrective actions are implemented, monitored, documented, and sustained.

  • Prepare the facility for state survey, federal survey, revisit, complaint investigations, focused infection control surveys, and any other regulatory reviews.

  • Provide hands-on training and re-education to facility staff based on identified deficiencies, audit outcomes, quality measures, and survey risk areas.

  • Review ongoing progress related to Special Focus Facility expectations and ensure the building demonstrates measurable and sustainable improvement.



Qualifications

  • Active and unrestricted Registered Nurse license

  • Ability to travel as needed

  • Proven experience in Major Duties


    Compensation & Benefits

  • Competitive salary or hourly rate

  • Mileage reimbursement

  • Lodging reimbursement when overnight travel is required

  • Meal reimbursement for approved overnight travel

  • Licensure reimbursement as needed

  • Opportunity to support multiple facilities and improve clinical outcomes

  • Regional leadership growth opportunity

  • Health Insurance

  • Dental & Vision

  • PTO

  • Holiday Pay

  • 401k after 1 year of employment