Associate Director, Clinical Operations (Retina)

Scorpion Therapeutics; United States; On-site; USD 179,000 - 196,000; Full time

Job summary

Scorpion Therapeutics is seeking an Associate Director of Clinical Operations to oversee the planning, execution, and governance of clinical trials within a program. The role ensures trials run on time, within budget, and in compliance with GCP and applicable regulations.

You will lead trial planning, mentor managers, manage budgets and vendors, and drive inspection readiness alongside cross-functional teams. Ophthalmology/retina experience is preferred.

Qualifications

• BS/BA in Life Science or related field required.
• Advanced degree preferred.
• Clinical research certification preferred but not required.
• BS/BA: 9+ years clinical development with 3+ years management, or MA/MS: 4+ years.
• Ophthalmology/Retina experience required.
• Experience executing clinical trials across all phases.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Director of Clinical Operations to develop/manage clinical programs aligned to corporate objectives and timelines.
• Provide operational leadership for trial planning, execution, timelines, budgets, risks, and mitigation.
• Mentor CTMs and junior staff on study documents, vendor management, budgeting, and resourcing.
• Oversee day-to-day Clinical Trial Operations and Clinical Data Management.
• Collaborate on budgeting, vendor outsourcing strategy, vendor governance.
• Ensure trials are inspection ready; cross-functional SET.
• Serve as Clinical Operations SME on product core teams; collaborate with Quality for inspection readiness.
• Coordinate regulatory submissions (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov).
• Lead/escalate issue resolution and risk mitigation; develop/review SOPs.
• Participate in CRO/site/vendor selection and maintain partner alignment; trigger contingency plans.

Skills

Team leadership

Budget management

Communication skills

Regulatory knowledge

Medical terminology

Education

BS/BA in Life Science

MS/PhD preferred

Job description

General Summary

The Associate Director, Clinical Operations will oversee implementation, execution, and oversight of clinical trials within a clinical program to ensure trials are on time, within budget, and compliant with GCP and applicable guidelines/regulations.

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Partner with Director of Clinical Operations to develop/manage clinical programs aligned to corporate objectives and timelines.
• Provide operational leadership for trial planning, execution, and interpretation; develop/monitor timelines, budgets, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Mentor Clinical Trial Managers (CTMs) and junior staff on study documents, vendor/study management, implementation, issue resolution, timelines, budgeting, and resourcing.
• Independently oversee day-to-day Clinical Trial Operations and Clinical Data Management.
• Collaborate with Finance/Business Operations on budgeting, re-forecasts, clinical vendor outsourcing strategy, vendor selection, and vendor governance.
• Ensure trials are inspection ready; ensure active management via cross-functional Study Execution Team (SET).
• Serve as Clinical Operations SME on product core teams; partner with Quality for inspection readiness.
• Collaborate with Regulatory Affairs/Clinical Sciences on regulatory submissions (e.g., ClinicalTrials.gov).
• Lead/escalate issue resolution and risk mitigation; coordinate clinical SOP development and review of protocols/amendments.
• Participate in CRO/site/vendor selection and maintain partner alignment; trigger contingency plans as needed.

Qualifications

• B.S./B.A. in Life Science or related (required); advanced degree preferred.
• Clinical research certification preferred (not required).
• B.S./B.A.: 9+ years clinical development with 3+ years management, or M.A./M.S.: 4+ years.
• Ophthalmology/Retina experience required.
• Experience executing clinical trials across all phases.

Skills (Required/Preferred)

• Recruit/retain/organize/lead clinical operations personnel; communicate priorities and resource needs.
• Manage budgets; self‑motivated, detail‑oriented; strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Knowledge of FDA/ICH/GCP and medical terminology; flexibility/adaptability; ability to write and present complex information.

Travel

Anticipate 20% (or as trial needs demand).

Compensation

Base salary compensation range: $179,000–$196,000.