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Vp Clinical Operations Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

About the Role The Vice President, Clinical Trial Operations (VP CTO) provides strategic, operational, and executive leadership for all clinical research conducted across City of Hope's national ...

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Vp Clinical Operations information

See California salary details

$67.6K

$153.7K

$260.5K

How much do vp clinical operations jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for vp clinical operations in California is $153,740.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $114,000.00 and $182,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a VP of Clinical Operations do?

A Vice President (VP) of Clinical Operations oversees the planning, execution, and management of clinical trials and research activities within a healthcare or pharmaceutical organization. They are responsible for ensuring clinical operations are compliant with regulatory standards, meet organizational goals, and are completed on time and within budget. This role involves leading clinical teams, developing operational strategies, and collaborating with other departments to ensure the success of clinical programs. The VP of Clinical Operations also plays a key role in optimizing processes, managing resources, and maintaining quality in all phases of clinical research.

What are some of the key challenges a VP of Clinical Operations typically faces in scaling clinical trials across multiple sites?

A VP of Clinical Operations often encounters challenges such as maintaining consistent trial quality and regulatory compliance across diverse sites, managing communication among cross-functional teams, and ensuring that patient recruitment targets are met. Balancing operational efficiency with the need for rigorous data integrity is critical, as is adapting to rapidly evolving regulatory requirements. Successful leaders in this role proactively implement standardized processes, foster strong relationships with site staff, and leverage technology to streamline operations and enhance visibility across all trial locations.

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

To thrive as a VP of Clinical Operations, you need extensive experience in healthcare management, clinical operations oversight, and a relevant advanced degree such as an MBA, MHA, or MSN. Familiarity with healthcare compliance systems, EMRs/EHRs, and quality improvement frameworks is crucial, and certifications like Lean Six Sigma or PMP are often valued. Exceptional leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills are vital for driving organizational change and building effective cross-functional teams. These skills are essential for ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, and high-quality patient care across clinical settings.

What is the difference between Vp Clinical Operations vs Clinical Operations Manager?

AspectVp Clinical OperationsClinical Operations Manager
ResponsibilitiesOversees multiple clinical departments, strategic planning, and high-level decision-makingManages daily clinical trial activities, team supervision, and project execution
Required CredentialsTypically requires advanced degrees (e.g., MD, PhD, or equivalent), extensive experience in clinical researchBachelor’s or Master’s degree in life sciences or related field, relevant experience in clinical trials
Work EnvironmentExecutive-level setting, collaborating with senior leadership and external partnersOperational setting, working closely with clinical teams and project staff

The Vp Clinical Operations focuses on strategic leadership and oversight of clinical programs, while the Clinical Operations Manager handles day-to-day trial management. Both roles require relevant experience, but the Vp role involves broader organizational responsibilities and higher-level decision-making.

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Vp Clinical Operations jobs?

Cities in California with the most Vp Clinical Operations job openings:

Infographic showing various Vp Clinical Operations job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $153,740 per year, or $73.9 per hour.

Vice President, Clinical Operations

Nuvation Bio, Inc.

San Francisco, CA • On-site, Remote

$335K - $350K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Leads the global clinical operations team to execute on clinical trial programs.

  • Develops systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management and oversees the planning, execution, and operational delivery of clinical trials.

  • Manages relationships with external vendors, investigators, and cross-functional teams to support regulatory submissions and trial execution.


Job description

Job Description
Who we are...
Nuvation Bio is a biopharmaceutical company tackling some of the greatest unmet needs in oncology by developing differentiated and novel therapeutic candidates. Our vision is to significantly change the practice of oncology by developing medicines that provide truly meaningful improvements in quality of life and survival for people with cancer.
What you'll be doing
The Vice President, Clinical Operations leads the Clinical Operations function within the Clinical Research and Development organization and reports to the SVP, Data Science and Clinical Operations. Partnering with the clinical research and development functions, the VP, Clinical Operations creates and executes clinical trial action plans and make recommendations to the senior leadership team and EC regarding Clinical Operations strategy. The VP, Clinical Operations develops an empowered team that can navigate in a matrix environment and adjusts quickly to business needs. This role also drives operational excellence through process improvement and knowledge sharing across Nuvation Bio.
You will be responsible for...
  • Leads the global clinical operations team to execute on Nuvation Bio's clinical trial programs
  • Attracts, develops, coaches, and retains high-performance team members, creating a culture of collaboration with an emphasis on performance, continuous learning and career development
  • Works with team members to develop systems to ensure consistent, high-quality project management
  • Ensures strategic planning, execution, and operational delivery of clinical trials across all programs working in collaboration with cross-functional partners
  • Leads planning and management of the clinical programs from an end-to-end trial management perspective to achieve Clinical R&D team objectives
  • Shapes the Clinical Operations strategy and translates the strategy into an operational risk management plan by identifying and appropriately escalating trial and program risks to the Clinical R&D leadership team and the Executive Committee
  • Acts as Clinical Operations representative at Executive Committee meetings as appropriate
  • In collaboration with Medical Writing, writes and/or oversees authorship of clinical operation sections of regulatory documents, including protocols, Investigator Brochures, annual reports, CDPs, and other documents as needed
  • Works with the cross-functional Clinical R&D teams in support of regulatory submissions and interactions
  • Identifies clinical program/resource gaps, performs project risk analyses, recommends solutions and implements action plans to mitigate risk
  • Develops and maintains relationships with clinical investigators, consultants, external service providers and leaders/members of other Nuvation Bio departments
  • Works with Clinical Operations team on CRO/vendor qualification and selection processes for outsourced activities, including scope of services agreements, budgets with unit cost negotiation, clinical and translational operational plans, and detailed timelines, and ensure that high-performance expectations are met
  • Focuses on Quality to establish and maintain a state of inspection-readiness
  • Oversees life cycle budget, including forecast, multi-year cost targets, and annual cost targets for all trials
  • Ensures optimal resourcing across trials to meet business needs according to portfolio prioritization. Includes coordination of headcount requests and resource alignment with other line functions
  • Leads the development of department processes and best practices, including review of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and development of standard reports, templates, and forms
  • Develops and implements operational program-specific standards as required to enhance consistency across trials
What Knowledge & Experience you'll bring to us...
  • 15+ years of pharmaceutical clinical drug development experience, with 7-8 years minimum in global clinical trial management with direct team leadership and management
  • Minimum Degree: Bachelor's degree or equivalent or any relevant and qualifying training education/background in biological sciences or in healthcare
  • Ability to coach and lead senior leaders within their own organization and support their career development and success
  • Track record of building strong relationships with executive leadership with the ability to influence and impact key decisions at the strategic level
  • Demonstrated senior leadership and accomplishment in all aspects of conducting global clinical trials and programs in Oncology
  • Significant and close collaboration with Phase 1 investigators in Oncology
  • Extensive knowledge of clinical development process, regulatory requirements, translational operations, and Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
  • Prior global experience and ability to establish international Clinical Operations strategic plans to reach eligible patient populations and sustain rapid enrollment for programs
  • Proven track record in trial management process improvements
  • Strong senior leadership, interpersonal and problem-solving skills
  • Excellent communication, organization, and tracking skills with involvement in cross-functional, multicultural/international teams
Behavioral skills to be successful...
  • Problem-Solver - As an action-oriented self-starter, you're eager to apply your expertise in diagnosing inefficiencies, determining root causes, and recommending solutions to complex challenges.
  • Personable - You establish and nurture highly effective relationships with colleagues and key stakeholders that support and advance project goals and objectives.
  • Credible - Thorough understanding of clinical methodologies and providing sound analytical support, you quickly establish credibility as a reliable resource.
  • Emotional intelligence, curiosity, and a knack to figure out a way to build something better
  • Communication - Effectively listens, conveys, and receives ideas. Maintains a consistent flow of information. A strong presenter and effective communicator with the ability to influence stakeholders.
  • Accountability - Acts with a clear sense of ownership - whether the task is in their role description. Holds yourself and others accountable to execute all tasks at hand through seen and unforeseen circumstances with high quality and integrity.
  • Adaptability - Can manage in an environment of ambiguity. Embraces the change of a new system, process, technology, or idea in the organization. You could reassess priorities, alter goals and take risks.
What we have for you!
  • Competitive Base Salary, Bonus, and Equity Plans
  • Unlimited Vacation and 10 Sick Days Annually
  • Excellent Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
  • 401K with Company Matching
  • and much more!

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and location among other factors. Our full-time regular positions also include an annual performance-based bonus and long-term incentive units (equity) provided as part of our compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, depending on the level and position offered.
Disclaimer
Nuvation Bio, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and/or local law, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by the law.
This job description reflects the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. Nothing restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Note to all external Recruiters & Staffing Agencies
All of our open positions are managed by our Talent Acquisition department. Any resumes submitted through the website or directly by recruiters or staffing agencies in advance of an executed agreement with Nuvation Bio, Inc., will be considered unsolicited and the company will not be responsible for any related fees. Resumes sent directly to employees or hiring managers will also not be accepted as referrals.