Associate Director of Research Operations

Oncura Health; Glendale (CA); On-site; USD 130,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Oncura Health is seeking an Associate Director of Research Operations to lead oncology and hematology research programs. The role oversees clinical trial infrastructure, regulatory compliance, and sponsor-driven growth, partnering with senior leadership to align priorities and improve patient outcomes.

Responsibilities include strategy, governance, site expansion, and oversight of start-up, enrollment, and conduct across trials, with a strong emphasis on data quality and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; advanced degree preferred in healthcare administration, life sciences, or business.
• Minimum 5+ years in clinical research with oncology/hematology focus beneficial.
• 3+ years in progressive operational leadership managing large programs.
• Proven ability to drive strategic growth and ensure regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute long-term strategy for research operations with physician leadership.
• Expand the clinical trial portfolio by partnering with PIs and disease leaders.
• Oversee start-up, enrollment, conduct, and close-out of trials with governance support.
• Lead governance structures and strengthen sponsor/CRO/academic partnerships.
• Ensure GCP, FDA, IRB compliance and audit readiness across operations.
• Collaborate with HR for workforce planning, succession, and development.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Operational excellence

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder management

CTMS knowledge

EHR integration

Data analytics

Education

Bachelor's degree required

Master’s degree preferred

Tools

CTMS

eRegulatory systems

Data analytics tools

EHR integration

Job description

The Associate Director of Research Operations provides strategic and operational leadership for oncology and hematology research programs. This role oversees clinical research infrastructure, ensures regulatory compliance, optimizes study execution, and drives growth in sponsored and investigator-initiated trials. The Director of Research works in close partnership with Senior Director of Research Services, Chief Medical Officer, and the Research Physician Leadership team to align clinical and research priorities, advance scientific initiatives, and improve patient outcomes.

Essential Functions:

The following reflects management’s definition of essential functions for this job but does not restrict the tasks that may be assigned. Management may assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time with reasonable accommodations.

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and execute the long-term strategy for research operations in partnership with research physician leadership.
• Collaborate with Principal Investigators (PIs), Medical Directors, and disease-specific physician leaders to identify research priorities and expand the clinical trial portfolio.
• Align operational capabilities with physician-driven scientific vision and program growth goals.
• Maintain and strengthen the brand integrity of the research program by ensuring excellence in data quality, speed to study start-up, sponsor satisfaction, and overall program profitability.
• Enhance and grow relationships with key strategic stakeholders, including OneOncology, Oncura physicians, and pharmaceutical partners.
• Represent the research program alongside physician leadership in sponsor meetings, academic collaborations, and industry partnerships.

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Serve as the primary operational partner to research physician leadership.
• Facilitate governance structures (e.g., research steering committees, disease group meetings).
• Strengthen partnerships with sponsors, CROs, and academic collaborators in conjunction with physician leaders.

Operational Oversight

• Partner with physician leadership and OneR to ensure efficient study selection, feasibility assessments, and prioritization of trials.
• Oversee all clinical research operations, including study start-up, enrollment, conduct, and close-out.
• Implement, optimize, and manage department-specific technology platforms (e.g., CTMS, eRegulatory systems, and other research software solutions).
• Establish, track, and continuously refine KPIs across all levels of the research organization, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Communicate performance metrics, outcomes, and operational insights to leadership to support continuous improvement.
• Lead the launch and operationalization of new research sites and locations as the practice expands across Oncura.

Regulatory, Contracts & Compliance

• Collaborate with counterparts at OneR to review, negotiate, and approve:
• Confidentiality Agreements (CDAs/NDAs)
• Master Study Agreements (MSAs)
• Clinical Trial Agreements (CTAs)
• Partner with PIs and physician leaders to ensure protocol adherence and appropriate clinical oversight.
• Ensure adherence to GCP, FDA regulations, IRB requirements, and institutional policies.
• Maintain audit readiness and oversee responses to regulatory inspections.
• Oversee day-to-day research operations through a layered leadership model, ensuring effective execution, operational consistency, and accountability across all functional areas.
• Lead a structured leadership model, empowering Senior Managers to manage daily activities while maintaining strategic oversight and alignment with organizational goals.
• Foster strong collaboration between operational leaders and research physician leadership.
• Partner with Human Resources to drive strategic workforce planning, including recruiting, succession planning, and team member development across the research organization.
• Establish and support leadership development programs, career pathways, and retention strategies for high-performing staff.
• Support physician engagement in research by reducing administrative burden and improving operational efficiency.
• Promote a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement across all levels of the organization.
• Communicate success stories, key metrics, operational challenges, and proposed solutions to practice leadership to drive alignment and decision-making.
• Co-develop program expansion strategies with physician leadership, including early-phase trials and new therapeutic areas.
• Support investigator-initiated and physician-led research initiatives.
• Expand access to clinical trials across community-based settings.
• Promote innovation in trial design, patient access, and decentralized research models.
• Deep knowledge of clinical trials and regulatory requirements.
• Strong financial acumen and experience with research budgeting and contracts.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to execute operationally.
• Experience with clinical trial management systems (CTMS), EHR integration, and data analytics tools.
• Knowledge of office management techniques and practices.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Outstanding verbal and written communication skills.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree required. Master’s degree is preferred (e.g., Healthcare Administration, Public Health, Life Sciences, Business Administration).
• 5+ years of experience in clinical research required, with significant focus in oncology and/or hematology preferred.
• 3+ years of progressive leadership in operational management roles.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, complex research programs and teams.

Additional Requirements:

• Great Customer Service Skills.
• Knowledge of medical terminology specifically in Oncology/Hematology.
• Previous Oncology/Hematology experience preferred.
• Able to travel to satellite clinics when necessary.

Pay Transparency:

• $130,000 to $150,000 annual salary. Depending on Experience.