Associate Client Operations Director

IQVIA; Santa Clarita (CA); On-site; USD 97,000 - 224,000; Full time

Job summary

IQVIA in Valencia, CA seeks an Associate Client Operations Director to lead operational delivery for client portfolios across global studies. You will partner with clients and cross‑functional teams to drive governance, continuous improvement, and high‑quality project execution while strengthening long‑term client relationships.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in Science or related field (or equivalent) with 7+ years in clinical research or related industry and 5+ years in project management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or related field preferred; equivalent combination of education, training, and experience accepted.
• Minimum 7 years of clinical research, laboratory, or related industry experience preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience preferred.
• Strong knowledge of global project services operations and customer portfolio management.
• Experience managing client governance activities, budgets, KPIs, SLAs, and MSAs.
• Knowledge of ICH E6 Good Clinical Practice guidelines.

Responsibilities

• Lead operational oversight of assigned client portfolios across global studies and programs.
• Build and maintain partnerships with clients and cross‑functional teams.
• Drive governance activities, including strategic reviews and executive client meetings.
• Monitor budgets, KPIs, SLAs, and client requirements; implement corrective actions when needed.
• Represent IQVIA in bid defenses, capabilities presentations, audits, and strategic client interactions.
• Establish and communicate client standards and process improvements across global teams.
• Facilitate effective communication between project teams and clients on timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Mentor team members and contribute to organizational initiatives and training.

Skills

Organizational skills

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Autonomy

Stakeholder influence

Adaptability

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Science or related field

Job description

We are seeking an Associate Client Operations Director to join IQVIA Laboratories at Valencia, CA.

We hire passionate innovators who drive healthcare forward through thoughtful and inclusive collaboration. If you want to discover a career with greater purpose, join us as we transform and accelerate research and development.

Job Summary:

As an Associate Client Operations Director, you will serve as the strategic operational lead for assigned client portfolios, ensuring excellence in service delivery, client satisfaction, and financial oversight across global studies and programs. You will partner with clients and cross‑functional teams to drive governance, continuous improvement, and high‑quality project execution while strengthening long‑term client relationships.

What You’ll Be Doing:

• Lead operational oversight of assigned client portfolios, ensuring consistent, high‑quality delivery across global studies and programs
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with clients, Global Project Services, Business Development, laboratory operations, and other cross‑functional stakeholders
• Drive internal and external governance activities, including strategic reviews, performance discussions, and executive‑level client meetings
• Monitor project performance through budgets, KPIs, SLAs, customer feedback, and client‑specific requirements, implementing corrective actions when needed
• Represent IQVIA in bid defenses, capabilities presentations, audits, and strategic client interactions
• Establish, maintain, and communicate client standards, best practices, and process improvements across global teams
• Facilitate effective communication between project teams and clients, ensuring alignment on expectations, risks, timelines, and deliverables
• Mentor and support team members while contributing to organizational initiatives, training programs, and operational excellence efforts
  

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor’s degree in Science or a related field is preferred
• An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be accepted in lieu of a degree
• A minimum of 7 years of clinical research, laboratory, or related industry experience is preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience is preferred
• Strong knowledge of global project services operations and customer portfolio management
• Experience managing client governance activities, budgets, key performance indicators (KPIs), service level agreements (SLAs), and Master Service Agreements (MSAs)
• Demonstrated ability to review study delivery metrics, identify improvement opportunities, and implement operational best practices across global programs
• Knowledge of client standards management, customer requirements, and process improvement methodologies
• Ability to perform work in accordance with ICH E6 Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines
  

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Needed for This Role:

• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to manage complex priorities
• Ability to influence stakeholders and drive collaboration across multiple departments, functions, and geographic regions
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to effectively engage global clients and senior leadership
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and drive initiatives to completion with minimal supervision
• Adaptability and flexibility in a fast‑paced, matrixed, global environment
• Proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, managers, clients, and external partners
  

What We Offer You:

We put our employees at the center of everything we do and are committed to providing them, and their families, with benefits that meet their diverse and changing needs. We invest in integrated benefits programs and resources to take care of our employees’ physical, mental and emotional, financial and social well‑being so they can thrive at home and at work, at any stage of their well‑being journey.

To learn more about our benefits, visit https://jobs.iqvia.com/benefits.

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 $96,600.00 - $224,200.00. 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.