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Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

Under the direction of the Director of Clinical Operations, this position manages: * Daily operational leadership for hospital flow, capacity management, patient progression, surge response, and ...

$77K - $105K/yr

The Sr. Director, Clinical Services & Operations is responsible for setting the clinical strategy, driving high-quality outcomes and patient safety, and overseeing clinical education. This role works ...

... America Director, Clinical Services - Hospital Programs The Director, Clinical Services (DCS ... This leader partners closely with hospital executives, physician groups, operations, and DaVita ...

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Director Clinical Operations information

See Minnesota salary details

$58.8K

$143K

$276.7K

How much do director clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for director clinical operations in Minnesota is $142,964.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $99,900.00 and $169,900.00 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 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.

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.

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 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.

Is a director of clinical operations a high position?

A director of clinical operations is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing clinical trial activities, managing teams, and ensuring regulatory compliance. It is considered a high-level position within the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries, often requiring extensive experience and strategic skills.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic showing various Director Clinical Operations job openings in Minnesota as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 93% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,964 per year, or $68.7 per hour.

Clinical Operations Manager

Newport Healthcare

Saint Cloud, MN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Newport Healthcare rating

5.5

Company rating: 5.5 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

825th of 898 rated healthcare providers


Job description

What You'll Do
The Clinical Operations Manager is responsible for overseeing quality primary mental health treatment services for our adolescent residential program. Working in collaboration with the Operations Manager and other team members, this role is responsible for hiring, training, and scheduling clinical and direct care staff to support high-quality care for patients. As a central partner to both the clinical and operations teams, the Clinical Operations Manager helps create a safe, responsive, and healing environment, that allows staff to thrive and patients to feel supported every step of the way. This role is grounded in Newport Healthcare's core values-Patient First, Love, Excellence Through Integrity, Compassion, and Connection-and brings them to life through purposeful coordination, thoughtful leadership, and a deep commitment to service.
Key Performance Responsibilities:
  • Works in collaboration with their assigned Operations Manager to ensure coverage of all clinical and operational functions for the assigned program. Tasks may include some or all of the following:
  • Support recruitment efforts by identifying strong candidates who align with our mission and values to maintain fully staffed care teams across all shifts.
  • Partner with HR to deliver a seamless and welcoming new hire orientation that reflects Newport's culture and values.
  • Champion a strong onboarding experience for clinical and direct care staff, providing both initial training and long-term career growth opportunities.
  • Develop and implement a clinical program schedule, providing a structured therapeutic experience for patients, that meets payer's 20-hour clinical requirement.
  • Develop staffing plans and oversee schedules to ensure 24/7 supervision, to uphold patient safety, and meet required staffing ratios.
  • Approve time off, manage hourly employee timecards and conduct performance evaluation reviews for direct reports.
  • Coordinate staffing coverage for absences, vacancies, and call outs.
  • Continuously monitor and provide feedback, coaching, and training to clinical and direct care staff.
  • Collaborate with the client admission and intake process offering support to ensure a smooth and compassionate transition into care as needed.
  • When trained as a CPI Trainer:
    • Lead, facilitate, and reinforce CPI and de-escalation training across assigned teams, ensure consistent retraining and competency development through scheduled refreshers, real-time coaching, and integration into daily operations.
    • Model and round on CPI and de-escalation practices within the milieu, provide feedback, support, and corrective guidance to staff to strengthen confidence, maintain fidelity, and promote a culture of safety and relational care.
  • Facilitate weekly clinical groups at assigned program.
  • Provide clinical support by carrying a caseload in the absence of the Primary Therapist.
  • Monitor client feedback and experience data (e.g., NPS, outcomes) and use insights to help drive continuous quality improvement at the local level.
  • Focus on client and family experience and successful outcomes through consistent communication and attention to family needs.
  • Support emerging crisis situations in the milieu and participate in on-call rotation.
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory, licensing, and safety requirements, fostering a culture of accountability and excellence.
  • Coordinate monthly Environment of Care (EOC) rounds and ensure data is entered into the Joint Commission Tracer tool. Collaborate with Compliance and Facilities to create action plans to correct identified opportunities.
  • In collaboration with compliance, coordinate RCAs, including scheduling and ensuring that all the appropriate information is readily available prior to the start of the RCA. Complete corrective action plans when applicable.
  • Facilitate early intervention team education, training, documentation, and evaluation of the outcomes.
  • Conduct clinical documentation audits, ensuring timely chart note completion, accurate recordkeeping.
  • Lead monthly all-staff meetings to deliver training and review protocols to improve daily operations.
  • Facilitate treatment team, clinical supervision and other program-specific meetings.
  • Provide back-up on-call support per the rotation schedule.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

What Makes You a Great Fit
Education, Experience, License Requirements:
  • Master's Degree in counseling, psychology, social work, or related field or enrollment in Doctorate program from an accredited or state approved graduate school required.
  • Licensed or ability to transfer license in Marriage Family Therapy, Counseling, Social Work, or Clinical Psychologist in MN
  • Minimum two (2) years of relevant clinical experience with adolescents, young adults, and families with mental health, substance abuse, and co-occurring disordered populations preferred.
  • Minimum of two (2) years of experience in a supervisory or management role preferred.
  • Minimum one (1) year experience in a residential setting preferred.

Compensation for this role ranges from $92,204 - $124,712 annually depending on education and experience.
We are committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation. An individual's pay rate within the posted range is determined by several factors, including skills, experience, education, and market conditions. Additionally, we consider internal equity to ensure fairness within our organization.

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