Research Director Jobs in Springfield, VA (NOW HIRING)

Assistant Clinical Research Director

Location: Washington, DC
Employment Type: Full-time, W-2
Work Schedule: Onsite; occasional travel required
Salary: $95,000–$105,000 annually
Bonus: Potential annual performance bonus based on achievement of organizational and individual performance metrics
Reports To: Nurse Executive
Direct Reports: Clinical Research Coordinators and other Trusted Medical Research staff

About Trusted Medical - HYBRID Position

Trusted Medical is a value-driven healthcare organization dedicated to delivering direct, high-quality medical services across 23 states. Our national network of clinics supports active-duty military personnel, Veterans, and the broader community through comprehensive, patient-centered care.

As Trusted Medical continues to expand its research capabilities, we are building a strong scientific foundation supported by strategic oversight, operational excellence, and innovative clinical trial practices. Our goal is to increase access to clinical research and create inclusive opportunities for patients and communities nationwide.

Position Summary

Trusted Medical is seeking a full-time Assistant Clinical Research Director (ACRD) to join our national clinical trials team in Washington, DC. The Clinical Research Director will provide leadership and oversight for the activities of the Trusted Medical Research Institute, including the management of multiple clinical studies from start-up through closeout.

This position will play a pivotal role in coordinating daily research operations, ensuring compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and study protocols, and driving continuous program improvement. The CRD will provide scientific and strategic direction, oversee staff and resources, manage stakeholder relationships, and support the development and implementation of new clinical trials.

The ideal candidate is an organized, detail-oriented, and compassionate leader who can balance scientific rigor with meaningful participant engagement. The successful candidate will be committed to expanding clinical trial accessibility, improving the participant experience, and advancing inclusive research practices across Trusted Medical’s national clinic network.

Essential Responsibilities

 PLEASE BE AVAILABLE TO TRAVEL at shorter notice!

Clinical Trial Leadership

• Develop, implement, and oversee clinical research studies from study initiation through completion and closeout.
• Ensure all research activities are conducted in accordance with study protocols, applicable laws and regulations, ethical standards, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines.
• Establish and maintain efficient processes for study start-up, participant recruitment, enrollment, retention, monitoring, and closeout.
• Oversee multiple clinical trials simultaneously while ensuring appropriate prioritization of resources and timelines.
• Identify operational challenges and implement effective corrective and preventive actions.
• Support the development and implementation of new clinical trials and research programs.

Strategic and Scientific Leadership

• Provide scientific, operational, and strategic direction for the Trusted Medical Research Institute.
• Collaborate with executive leadership, investigators, clinical teams, sponsors, contract research organizations, vendors, and other stakeholders.
• Evaluate program performance and identify opportunities to improve quality, efficiency, accessibility, and participant engagement.
• Contribute to long-term research strategy, capacity planning, and the expansion of Trusted Medical’s clinical trials portfolio.
• Promote innovative and inclusive approaches to clinical research participation.

Staff Leadership and Development

• Provide direct supervision and leadership to Clinical Research Coordinators and other research staff.
• Participate in interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, coaching, and performance management.
• Establish clear expectations, performance goals, and accountability measures for research personnel.
• Develop staff capabilities through mentoring, education, feedback, and professional development.
• Monitor staffing levels and allocate personnel appropriately across studies and clinic locations.
• Provide virtual supervision as needed and travel periodically to Trusted Medical clinics to support and engage with research staff.

Regulatory and Quality Oversight

• Ensure compliance with FDA regulations, GCP requirements, Institutional Review Board (IRB) standards, sponsor requirements, and applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Maintain appropriate regulatory documentation, study files, training records, delegation logs, and essential documents.
• Ensure research personnel are appropriately trained and qualified for their assigned responsibilities.
• Support audit and inspection readiness and coordinate responses to findings or requests.
• Identify compliance risks and implement appropriate corrective and preventive actions.
• Promote a culture of quality, integrity, patient safety, and ethical research conduct.

Budget and Resource Management

• Develop and manage clinical trial budgets in collaboration with leadership and applicable stakeholders.
• Monitor study expenditures, resource allocation, financial performance, and budget variance.
• Support contract, vendor, and payment processes related to clinical research activities.
• Ensure studies are appropriately resourced and completed within established timelines and budgets.
• Prepare or contribute to financial reports and operational updates.

Data and Study Oversight

• Oversee the collection, documentation, review, and reporting of clinical trial data.
• Ensure data are accurate, complete, timely, and consistent with protocol requirements.
• Monitor study metrics, recruitment progress, enrollment, retention, adverse event reporting, and overall study performance.
• Collaborate with investigators, data management teams, sponsors, and vendors to resolve data-related issues.
• Support the interpretation and communication of study findings while maintaining scientific rigor and data integrity.

Stakeholder and Participant Engagement

• Serve as a primary point of contact for internal and external stakeholders regarding clinical research operations and performance.
• Present study updates, milestones, risks, findings, and recommendations to leadership and relevant partners.
• Build productive relationships with sponsors, investigators, vendors, clinic leaders, and community partners.
• Promote a compassionate, respectful, and patient-centered research experience.
• Help reduce barriers to participation and support broader access to clinical trials across diverse patient populations.
• Ensure registrants and participants receive clear, timely, and appropriate communication throughout their research experience.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in nursing, life sciences, public health, healthcare administration, or a related field.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of clinical research experience, including experience overseeing multiple clinical trials.
• Demonstrated experience managing clinical research operations from study start-up through closeout.
• Prior experience supervising, mentoring, and evaluating clinical research staff.
• Working knowledge of FDA regulations, GCP, IRB requirements, and clinical research standards.
• Experience with clinical trial budgets, resource planning, and operational metrics.
• Strong understanding of clinical trial documentation, data quality, participant safety, and regulatory compliance.
• Excellent written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities.
• Ability to work effectively with patients, military personnel, Veterans, clinical teams, sponsors, vendors, and executive leadership.
• Ability to work onsite in Washington, DC, and travel periodically to support national meetings and clinic activities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working within a multi-site or national clinical research network.
• Experience supporting research involving military personnel, Veterans, underserved communities, or diverse patient populations.
• Experience with clinical research systems, electronic regulatory platforms, electronic data capture systems, and study management tools.
• Certification such as Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP), Certified Clinical Research Coordinator (CCRC), or equivalent.
• Clinical licensure or healthcare professional background.
• Experience with research program development, feasibility assessments, sponsor negotiations, or site selection.

Key Competencies

• Strategic leadership and program development
• Clinical research operations
• Regulatory compliance and quality assurance
• Staff supervision and professional development
• Budget and resource management
• Data integrity and study oversight
• Stakeholder communication
• Participant-centered engagement
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Inclusivity and commitment to expanding research access

Physical and Travel Requirements

• This is an onsite position based in Washington, DC.
• Occasional travel is required to support national study meetings, site visits, training, and research activities at Trusted Medical clinics.
• The role may require extended periods of computer use, virtual meetings, document review, and communication with geographically dispersed teams.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Trusted Medical is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful workplace and do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Note: The required years of experience, degree requirements, certification preferences, and final compensation details may be adjusted to reflect Trusted Medical’s internal hiring standards.