Clinical Research Operations Director

US Oncology Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Alliance Cancer Specialists is seeking a Director of Clinical Research to lead and grow our oncology program, partnering with executive leadership, investigators, and teams to oversee all clinical research operations.

The role requires senior leadership experience, GCP/ICH knowledge, and a track record of program development and financial management to enhance trial delivery and patient access.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a clinical or scientific field; nursing preferred.
• Minimum 7 years in clinical research, oncology preferred.
• Minimum 5 years in leadership or supervision in research.
• RN licensure required in state of practice.
• Strong knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines, and regulations.
• Experience in budgeting, financial management, and program development.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for the clinical research program.
• Direct and mentor research staff through coaching and development.
• Manage budgets, accrual targets, and performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and SOPs.
• Collaborate with physicians and leadership to identify new opportunities.
• Drive process improvements for efficiency and patient access to trials.
• Act as liaison between sites, investigators, and leadership.
• Promote the research program within the practice and network.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Clinical Research, Life Sciences, or related field

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Overview

Alliance Cancer Specialists is seeking an experienced and strategic Director of Clinical Research to lead and grow our oncology research program. This senior leadership role partners closely with Executive Leadership, Principal Investigators, physicians, and research teams to oversee all aspects of clinical research operations, ensuring the delivery of high-quality clinical trials that advance cancer care.

The Director will provide strategic direction for research initiatives, oversee multi-site research operations, manage departmental budgets and financial performance, and lead a team of research professionals. This role is instrumental in driving program growth, ensuring compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), ICH guidelines, and regulatory requirements, while fostering a culture of excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the clinical research program.
• Direct and support all research staff through coaching, mentoring, training, and professional development.
• Manage research budgets, financial reporting, accrual goals, and program performance metrics.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, clinical trial protocols, and research SOPs.
• Collaborate with physicians, leadership, and research partners to identify and implement new research opportunities.
• Drive process improvements that enhance efficiency, quality, and patient access to clinical trials.
• Serve as a liaison between research sites, investigators, corporate research operations, and leadership committees.
• Promote and expand the research program within the practice, community, and referring physician network.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Nursing, Clinical Research, Life Sciences, or a related field required; Bachelor's in Nursing preferred.
• Minimum of 7 years of clinical research experience, preferably in oncology.
• Minimum of 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a clinical research setting preferred.
• Strong knowledge of GCP, ICH guidelines, regulatory requirements, and clinical trial operations.
• Proven experience in team leadership, financial management, strategic planning, and program development.
• Exceptional communication, organizational, and relationship-building skills.

Why Join Us?

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of oncology research, influence organizational strategy, and lead a growing research program that brings innovative treatment options to patients throughout our community.

Responsibilities

Key ResponsibilitiesWorks collaboratively with the Executive Director and Principal Investigators providing strategic oversight of the research program. Develops, directs, implements and evaluates research strategies while coordinating with other departments within the organization that impact all aspects of the clinical trial. Oversees Network research program operations and all research staff to ensure that Network research site and locations are in compliance with USOR SOP and ICH GCP guidelines.Coordinates the preparation and implementation of a Network research budget and financial reporting system, to include all sites and locations of research. Collaborates with senior management in the development of accrual targets and financial objectives. Develops accountability standards for all locations to ensure that accrual targets and financial objectives are achieved. Prepares research financial reports for the Executive director, Finance manager, Joint policy board, and executive committee.Functioning at a highly strategic level, provides leadership and guidance in the development of new processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness of organizational strategic outcomes for clinical trials resulting in the success of the research program.Functions as a liaison between corporate research operations, research committees, and practice research sites to communicate research initiatives, opportunities and issues.Provides oversight of research processes, SOPs and policies. Responsibilities include supervising research staff, training and mentoring, providing or facilitating research continuing education activities, and engaging staff in research initiatives and activities. Responsible for encouraging and maintaining research focus for practice working with physicians and leadership to grow and maintain the research program.Collaborates with the SRL, physicians of the practice, research committee, and other research management in the process of study selection for the research program.Responsible to promote or market research program to the practice, community and referring physicians.

Minimum Job Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities)

• Education/Training –Bachelor's degree in a clinical or scientific related discipline desired, Bachelor's degree in nursing preferred.
• Business Experience –Minimum of 7 years experience in clinical research, preferably in oncology required.
• Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience in a clinical research setting is preferred.
• Registered Nurses require current licensure in the state of practice.
• Specialized Knowledge/Skills –Strong leadership skills, ability to manage in matrix environment.
• Excellent communication skills, strong ability to multitask, strong interpersonal skills.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced constantly changing environment.
• Knowledge and proficiency in all basic computer programs, windows, excel etc.
• Special knowledge of GCP and ICH guidelines.
• Specific knowledge of all aspects of clinical research – ability to read, analyze and interpret technical items such as protocols, informed consent documents, and regulatory documents, ability to solve problems and implement solutions.
• Knowledge of medical terminology, nursing assessment, clinical medicine, diagnostic tests, radiology, pathology, pharmacology, hematology, oncology as it relates to clinical trials.
• Basic knowledge of financial management to include budgeting and contracting, understanding of site financials including revenue cycle.

Working Conditions:

• Environment (Office, warehouse, etc.) –Traditional office environment
• Physical Requirements (Lifting, standing, etc.) –Large percent of time performing computer based work is required. Occasionally lifts and carries items weighing up to 40lbs.(This description is general in nature and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities. Other duties may be assigned as needed to meet company goals.)