Principal Field Clinical Lead- Houston or Dallas, TX

Thornton Tomasetti; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 99,000 - 199,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition reimbursement

Health plan

Retirement plan

Education benefits

Job summary

Abbott is seeking a Principal Field Clinical Lead to drive TAVI clinical studies across an assigned territory, leveraging deep structural heart expertise. You will lead sites, train clinicians, and ensure protocol adherence while coordinating with Global Clinical Affairs and R&D.

The role emphasizes physician education, enrollment strategies, and cross-functional collaboration. The position requires substantial travel (50–75%), remote work capability in the U.S., and strong leadership to advance

Qualifications

• 13+ years of relevant experience with an Associate degree; or 10+ years with a Bachelor's; or 5+ years with a Master's.
• Experience supporting implants and complex transcatheter valve procedures.
• Minimum of 4 years of clinical research experience, preferably within Field Clinical Affairs or Medical Device Clinical Operations.
• Strong understanding of TAVI/TAVR procedures and clinical trial execution.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage clinical trial activities across sites.
• Provide procedural guidance during TAVI procedures.
• Educate physicians and staff on protocols and requirements.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support trial execution and enrollment strategies.
• Mentor and develop junior Field Clinical Leads and staff.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Physician training

Communication skills

Project management

Travel readiness

Education

Associate degree + 13+ years

Bachelor's degree + 10+ years

Master's degree + 5+ years

Tools

Clinical trial software

Medical device training

Job description

Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our portfolio of life-changing technologies spans the spectrum of healthcare, with leading businesses and products in diagnostics, medical devices, nutritionals and branded generic medicines. Our 122,000 colleagues serve people in more than 160 countries. JOB DESCRIPTION: Principal Field Clinical Lead Working at Abbott At Abbott, you can do work that matters, grow, and learn, care for yourself and your family, be your true self, and live a full life. You’ll also have access to: Career development with an international company where you can grow the career you dream of. Employees can qualify for free medical coverage in our Health Investment Plan (HIP) PPO medical plan in the next calendar year. An excellent retirement savings plan with a high employer contribution Tuition reimbursement, the Freedom 2 Save student debt program, and FreeU education benefit - an affordable and convenient path to getting a bachelor’s degree. A company recognized as a great place to work in dozens of countries worldwide and named one of the most admired companies in the world by Fortune. A company that is recognized as one of the best big companies to work for as well as the best place to work for diversity, working mothers, female executives, and scientists. The Opportunity Within Abbott's Structural Heart business, our mission is to restore health and improve quality of life through innovative solutions for the treatment of structural heart disease. We are committed to developing technologies that improve patient outcomes, advance clinical practice, and provide meaningful benefits for physicians, healthcare systems, and the patients they serve. As a global leader in transcatheter heart valve technologies, Abbott continues to invest in clinical research, physician education, and next-generation therapies that shape the future of structural heart interventions. Abbott Structural Heart is seeking a highly experienced Principal Field Clinical Lead (FCL) to support pre-market and post-market Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) clinical studies within an assigned territory. In this senior clinical role, the Principal FCL serves as a key partner to physicians, study investigators, research coordinators, and internal stakeholders to ensure successful clinical trial execution, exceptional patient outcomes, and high-quality clinical data. The Principal FCSL functions as a clinical and procedural expert, providing physician education, procedural support, site management, enrollment strategy, and clinical trial leadership. This individual will also contribute to the development of future TAVI technologies by partnering with Clinical Affairs, Research & Development, Engineering, and Commercial teams to advance Abbott's structural heart portfolio. Success in this role requires a deep understanding of structural heart disease, transcatheter valve therapies, clinical research operations, and physician training within Cath Lab and Hybrid Operating Room environments. What You’ll Work On Clinical Trial Leadership & Site Management Manage and develop strategic relationships with assigned clinical trial sites, investigators, and research teams. Support all phases of clinical trial execution, including site identification, qualification, activation, enrollment, monitoring, and study closeout activities. Collaborate with investigators and site personnel to maximize patient screening opportunities and achieve enrollment objectives. Identify enrollment barriers and implement solutions that improve patient recruitment and study performance. Maintain a comprehensive understanding of site capabilities, research infrastructure, and investigator interests to support Abbott's clinical evidence generation strategy. Facilitate communication between clinical sites and Abbott teams to ensure efficient study execution and issue resolution. TAVI Clinical and Procedural Support Serve as a subject matter expert for Abbott's TAVI clinical programs and investigational technologies. Provide procedural guidance and technical support during investigational TAVI procedures. Support physicians and healthcare teams in procedural planning, device utilization, and study protocol adherence. Partner with commercial field teams when additional procedural expertise is required. Ensure proper application of study protocols and eligibility criteria for patient selection. Maintain expertise in current and emerging structural heart therapies, competitive technologies, and evolving treatment strategies. Physician and Clinical Staff Education Design and deliver educational programs for physicians, research coordinators, physician assistants, nurses, and Cath Lab personnel. Train healthcare professionals on investigational devices, clinical protocols, procedural best practices, and study requirements. Develop educational content and presentation materials for: Investigator Meetings National and regional conferences Physician training programs Internal educational initiatives Serve as a trusted clinical resource for both internal and external stakeholders. Clinical Evidence and Research Support Support the generation and dissemination of clinical evidence related to Abbott's TAVI portfolio. Effectively communicate clinical data, trial objectives, and evidence-based recommendations to healthcare professionals. Collaborate with Global Clinical Affairs and Medical Affairs teams to support ongoing and future research initiatives. Assist in identifying opportunities to improve study design, enrollment strategies, and overall trial performance. Promote diverse and representative patient enrollment across clinical trials. Product Development and Innovation Partner with Engineering, Clinical Affairs, and Product Development teams to support next-generation TAVI platform development. Provide real-world clinical insights that inform product design enhancements and future innovation efforts. Participate in pre-clinical and clinical evaluations of emerging technologies. Assist in developing procedural best practices for new platform introductions and early-stage clinical evaluations, including: First-in-Human Studies Early Feasibility Studies IDE Clinical Trials Leadership and Mentorship Mentor and develop less-experienced Field Clinical Leads. Share best practices and support the ongoing development of field clinical teams. Provide leadership across cross-functional projects and initiatives. Assist management with onboarding, coaching, and development of clinical personnel as needed. Identify opportunities for operational improvements and process standardization across the organization. Compliance and Quality Conduct all activities in accordance with: FDA regulations Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines Company policies and procedures Quality system requirements Clinical study protocols Maintain all required certifications and training for assigned product lines and study processes. Ensure accurate and timely documentation and communication of clinical activities. Foster professional and collaborative relationships with customers, physicians, investigators, and internal partners This position works closely with / Cross-functional Partnerships: Global Clinical Affairs (GCA) Medical Directors Program Management Teams Global Clinical Organization (GCO) Research & Development Engineering Marketing Medical Affairs Commercial Structural Heart Teams The role also requires significant interaction with: Interventional Cardiologists Cardiac Surgeons Study Investigators Research Coordinators Cath Lab Staff Physician Assistants Nurse Practitioners Registered Nurses Required Qualifications Education Associate degree with 13+ years of relevant experience, or Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience, or Master's degree or advanced degree with 5+ years of relevant experience. Relevant disciplines include: Biological Sciences Health Sciences Nursing Biomedical Engineering Clinical Research Other related healthcare or scientific fields Experience Significant experience supporting implants and procedures involving complex transcatheter valve technologies. Extensive experience within a structural heart or transcatheter valve medical device organization. Previous experience providing physician and healthcare staff training on advanced cardiovascular procedures. Minimum of 4 years of clinical research experience, preferably within Field Clinical Affairs or Medical Device Clinical Operations. Strong understanding of: TAVI/TAVR procedures Clinical trial execution Cath Lab workflows Hybrid Operating Room environments Structural heart disease therapies Experience managing physician relationships and supporting high-volume clinical centers. Knowledge, Skills & Competencies Deep clinical and procedural knowledge of structural heart therapies. Exceptional presentation and physician training skills. Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities. Ability to influence without direct authority. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Strong organizational and project management abilities. Ability to work independently while effectively collaborating across cross-functional teams. Skilled at managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. High attention to detail and commitment to quality. Ability to build credibility and trust with physicians, investigators, and internal stakeholders. Travel Requirements Ability and willingness to travel approximately 50% to 75%, including overnight travel as required. US and OUS Flexibility to support physician and customer needs outside standard business hours, including occasional evenings and weekends. The base pay for this position is $99,300.00 – $198,700.00 In specific locations, the pay range may vary from the range posted. JOB FAMILY: Medical & Scientific Affairs DIVISION: SH Structural Heart LOCATION: United States of America : Remote ADDITIONAL LOCATIONS: WORK SHIFT: Standard TRAVEL: Yes, 75 % of the Time MEDICAL SURVEILLANCE: Not Applicable SIGNIFICANT WORK ACTIVITIES: Continuous sitting for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day), Continuous standing for prolonged periods (more than 2 consecutive hours in an 8 hour day) Abbott is an Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities/Women/Individuals with Disabilities/Protected Veterans. EEO is the Law link - English: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_English.pdf EEO is the Law link - Espanol: http://webstorage.abbott.com/common/External/EEO_Spanish.pdf Abbott is about the power of health. For more than 135 years, Abbott has been helping people reach their potential — because better health allows people and communities to achieve more. With a diverse, global network serving customers in more than 160 countries, we create new solutions — across the spectrum of health, around the world, for all stages of life. Whether it’s next-generation diagnostics, life-changing devices, science-based nutrition, or novel reformulations, we are advancing some of the most innovative and revolutionary technologies in healthcare, helping people live their best lives through better health. The people of Abbott come to work each day with relentless energy, enthusiasm and a promise to enhance the health and well-being of millions of people. They push the boundaries to help manage and treat some of life’s greatest health challenges. We invite you to explore opportunities at Abbott, to see if your talents and career aspirations may fit with our openings. An equal opportunity employer, Abbott welcomes and encourages diversity in our workforce.