Associate Director, Clinical Operations

Associate Director, Clinical Operations (Sponsor‑Aligned)

Location: Remote with 20–30% travel

Department: Clinical Operations

Reports to: Director, Clinical Operations

Key ResponsibilitiesLeadership & People Management

• Provide direct leadership to 10–15 DLMs and indirect oversight to 150–175 clinical operations staff across multiple functions.

• Manage staff in alignment with organizational policies and applicable regulations, including planning, assigning, and directing work.

• Conduct performance appraisals, guide professional development, and address employee relations issues.

• Lead hiring and selection activities for clinical staff; participate in interviews and ensure effective onboarding and training.

• Ensure all staff have appropriate systems access, materials, and training to perform their roles successfully.

• Oversee execution of training plans, SOP reviews, and ongoing competency development.

Operational Oversight

• Allocate resources to clinical research projects by assigning staff based on experience, training, and study needs.

• Participate in coordinated resourcing processes to ensure optimal staffing across FSP accounts.

• Monitor and evaluate the quality of clinical work through regular review of deliverables, customer feedback, and project outcomes.

• Identify quality risks and issues, develop corrective action plans, and ensure timely resolution.

• Ensure staff meet workload, quality, and budget expectations through ongoing review and reporting.

Client Engagement & Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Serve as a key liaison to sponsor partners, supporting day‑to‑day governance, escalations, and relationship management.

• Collaborate with regional and global clinical teams, as well as cross‑functional leadership, to address project challenges and deliver exceptional customer service.

• Support multiple FSP accounts, ensuring alignment with client expectations and operational standards.

• Participate in corporate and organizational quality or process improvement initiatives.

Travel Requirements

• Travel 20–30% to meet with clients, support DLMs, and participate in onsite leadership activities.

QualificationsRequired

• 8–12+ years of progressive clinical research experience, including 7–10+ years leading Phase I–IV clinical trials within a sponsor, CRO, or FSP environment.

• Proven ownership of end‑to‑end study delivery, including CRO/vendor oversight, budget and timeline management, TMF quality, and inspection readiness in alignment with ICH‑GCP and global regulatory expectations.

• Demonstrated people leadership experience, managing and developing CTMs, CRAs, CTAs, Study Start‑Up teams, or similar clinical operations functions.

• Strong track record of cross‑functional collaboration with clinical monitoring, study start‑up, data management, regulatory, safety, and biometrics teams.

• Extensive experience interacting with sponsor partners, including escalation management, governance participation, and relationship building.

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.

• Career progression that reflects increasing responsibility (e.g., CRA → CSM/CTM → Associate Director or equivalent).

• Experience managing multiple concurrent studies or a fast‑paced, complex clinical program with both regional and global exposure.

• Ability to operate with Director‑level judgment, autonomy, and strategic insight in a matrixed environment.

Preferred

• Broad therapeutic area background with preference for Oncology, Cardiology, In‑Vitro Diagnostics, and Medical Devices.

• Prior experience supporting FSP delivery models or sponsor‑aligned operational structures.

• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and quality‑focused mindset with experience driving process improvement initiatives.

IQVIA is a leading global provider of clinical research services, commercial insights and healthcare intelligence to the life sciences and healthcare industries. We create intelligent connections to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative medical treatments to help improve patient outcomes and population health worldwide. Learn more at https://jobs.iqvia.com

IQVIA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by applicable law. https://jobs.iqvia.com/eoe

IQVIA is committed to integrity in our hiring process and maintains a zero tolerance policy for candidate fraud. All information and credentials submitted in your application must be truthful and complete. Any false statements, misrepresentations, or material omissions during the recruitment process will result in immediate disqualification of your application, or termination of employment if discovered later, in accordance with applicable law. We appreciate your honesty and professionalism.

The potential base pay range for this role, when annualized, is $94,900.00 - $264,200.00. The actual base pay offered may vary based on a number of factors including job-related qualifications such as knowledge, skills, education, and experience; location; and/or schedule (full or part-time). Dependent on the position offered, incentive plans, bonuses, and/or other forms of compensation may be offered, in addition to a range of health and welfare and/or other benefits.