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Director Clinical Research Operations information

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$60K

$146K

$282.5K

How much do director clinical research operations jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for director clinical research 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 is the difference between Director Clinical Research Operations vs Clinical Research Manager?

AspectDirector Clinical Research OperationsClinical Research Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple clinical projects, strategic planning, and department leadershipManages daily clinical trial activities, site coordination, and team supervision
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in life sciences, extensive experience, often certificationsBachelor's degree, relevant experience, certifications preferred
Work EnvironmentSenior leadership in pharmaceutical or biotech companiesOperational teams within clinical research sites or CROs
Industry UsageUsed in large organizations for strategic rolesCommon in mid-sized to large research organizations

The main difference is that the Director Clinical Research Operations focuses on strategic oversight and leadership of clinical research activities, while the Clinical Research Manager handles day-to-day trial management and site coordination. Both roles require relevant experience and certifications, but the director position involves broader organizational responsibilities.

What does a Director of Clinical Research Operations do?

A Director of Clinical Research Operations oversees the planning, execution, and management of clinical research studies within an organization. They are responsible for ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements, managing budgets and timelines, and leading teams of clinical research professionals. Their role includes collaborating with cross-functional departments, optimizing operational efficiency, and maintaining high standards of data quality and patient safety throughout the clinical trial process.

What are some common challenges faced by a Director of Clinical Research Operations, and how can they be effectively managed?

A Director of Clinical Research Operations often faces challenges such as balancing regulatory compliance with operational efficiency, managing cross-functional teams, and ensuring timely study delivery within budget constraints. To address these, it’s important to establish robust communication channels, develop standardized processes, and foster a collaborative environment with clinical staff, regulatory affairs, and sponsors. Staying updated on evolving regulations and investing in team training also help in proactively managing these complexities, ensuring both compliance and successful study outcomes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Director of Clinical Research Operations, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Director of Clinical Research Operations, you need extensive knowledge of clinical trial management, regulatory compliance, and a background in life sciences or a related field, often supported by an advanced degree and significant industry experience. Familiarity with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), electronic data capture (EDC) tools, and certifications such as CCRA or CCRP are typically required. Strong leadership, strategic planning, and interpersonal skills distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure effective oversight of complex research projects, regulatory adherence, and successful collaboration across multidisciplinary teams.
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What cities are hiring for Director Clinical Research Operations jobs? Cities with the most Director Clinical Research Operations job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Clinical Research Operations jobs? The most popular types of Clinical Research Operations jobs are:
What job categories do people searching Director Clinical Research Operations jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Clinical Research Operations jobs are:
Director Clinical Research Operations jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Clinical Research Operations job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 5% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 12% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $145,969 per year, or $70.2 per hour.
Executive Director, Research Operations

Executive Director, Research Operations

Tennessee Oncology

Nashville, TN

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Tennessee Oncology rating

6.4

Company rating: 6.4 out of 10

Based on 26 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Tennessee Oncology, one of the nation's largest, community-based cancer care specialists, is home to one of the leading clinical trial networks in the country. Established 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee Oncology's mission remains unchanged: To provide access to high-quality cancer care and the expertise of clinical research for all patients, at convenient locations within their community and close to their home. Our growing network of physicians and locations is based on this mission. Tennessee Oncology is committed to advancing both the science of detection and targeted treatments, and to making these advances available to every patient. We believe caring for cancer patients is a privilege.

Why Join Us? We are looking for talented and highly-motivated individuals who demonstrate a natural desire to support the meaningful work of community oncologists and the patients we serve.

Job Description:

The Executive Director of Research Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for oncology and hematology research programs. This role oversees clinical research infrastructure, ensures regulatory compliance, optimizes study execution, and drives growth in sponsored and investigator-initiated trials.

The Executive Director works in close partnership with research physician leadership (e.g., Principal Investigators, Medical Directors, and Disease Program Leads) to align clinical and research priorities, advance scientific initiatives, and improve patient outcomes.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Strategic Leadership

  • Develop and execute the long-term strategy for research operations in partnership with research physician leadership.
  • Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs), Medical Directors, and disease-specific physician leaders to identify research priorities and expand the clinical trial portfolio.
  • Align operational capabilities with physician-driven scientific vision and program growth goals.
  • Maintain and strengthen the brand integrity of the research program by ensuring excellence in data quality, speed to study start-up, sponsor satisfaction, and overall program profitability.
  • Enhance and grow relationships with key strategic stakeholders, including OneOncology, Tennessee Oncology physicians, and pharmaceutical partners.
  • Represent the research program alongside physician leadership in sponsor meetings, academic collaborations, and industry partnerships.

Operational Oversight

  • Partner with physician leadership and OneR to ensure efficient study selection, feasibility assessments, and prioritization of trials.
  • Oversee all clinical research operations, including study start-up, enrollment, conduct, and close-out.
  • Implement, optimize, and manage department-specific technology platforms (e.g., CTMS, eRegulatory systems, and other research software solutions).
  • Establish, track, and continuously refine KPIs across all levels of the research organization, ensuring transparency and accountability.
  • Communicate performance metrics, outcomes, and operational insights to leadership to support continuous improvement.
  • Lead the launch and operationalization of new research sites and locations as the practice expands across Tennessee Oncology.
  • Ensure alignment between clinical care delivery and research workflows to support seamless patient participation.

Regulatory, Contracts & Compliance

  • Collaborate with counterparts at OneR to review, negotiate, and approve:
    • Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs/NDAs)
    • Master Study Agreements (MSAs)
    • Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs)
    • Vendor Service Agreements
  • Partner with PIs and physician leaders to ensure protocol adherence and appropriate clinical oversight.
  • Ensure adherence to GCP, FDA regulations, IRB requirements, and institutional policies.
  • Maintain audit readiness and oversee responses to regulatory inspections.

Team Leadership & Development

  • Provide executive leadership for a large, multi-functional research operations team, including Assistant Directors overseeing key domains (clinical operations, nursing, regulatory, data, finance, quality).
  • Oversee day-to-day research operations through a layered leadership model, ensuring effective execution, operational consistency, and accountability across all functional areas.
  • Lead a structured leadership model, empowering Assistant Directors to manage daily activities while maintaining strategic oversight and alignment with organizational goals.
  • Foster strong collaboration between operational leaders and research physician leadership.
  • Partner with Human Resources to drive strategic workforce planning, including recruiting, succession planning, and team member development across the research organization.
  • Establish and support leadership development programs, career pathways, and retention strategies for high-performing staff.
  • Support physician engagement in research by reducing administrative burden and improving operational efficiency.
  • Build leadership bench strength and ensure continuity through proactive succession planning.
  • Promote a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.

Stakeholder Collaboration

  • Serve as the primary operational partner to research physician leadership.
  • Facilitate governance structures (e.g., research steering committees, disease group meetings).
  • Strengthen partnerships with sponsors, CROs, and academic collaborators in conjunction with physician leaders.
  • Communicate success stories, key metrics, operational challenges, and proposed solutions to practice leadership to drive alignment and decision-making.
  • Program Growth & Innovation
  • Co-develop program expansion strategies with physician leadership, including early-phase trials and new therapeutic areas.
  • Support investigator-initiated and physician-led research initiatives.
  • Expand access to clinical trials across community-based settings.
  • Promote innovation in trial design, patient access, and decentralized research models.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

  • Deep knowledge of clinical trials and regulatory requirements.
  • Strong financial acumen and experience with research budgeting and contracts.
  • Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
  • Strategic thinker with the ability to execute operationally.
  • Experience with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), EHR integration, and data analytics tools.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

  • Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred (e.g., Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Life Sciences, Business Administration).
  • 5+ years of experience in clinical research required, with significant focus in oncology and/or hematology preferred.
  • 3+ years of progressive leadership in operational management roles.
  • Demonstrated experience managing large, complex research programs and teams.

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