Site Manager In Training

Elite Clinical Network; San Jose (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Elite Clinical Network in San Jose is seeking a Site Manager in Training (SMIT) to develop leadership skills through hands-on clinical operations exposure and formal training in regulatory compliance and study execution.

You will support daily site operations, assist with staffing and data entry, and learn budgeting and sponsor communications, progressing toward a Site Manager role after milestones.

Qualifications

• 1–2 years of clinical research experience.
• Basic understanding of trial operations and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Interest in advancing to a leadership role in clinical research site operations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and CTMS is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist daily site operations including patient scheduling, visit coordination, data entry, and regulatory documentation.
• Work with CRCs, regulatory staff, and patient-facing teams to understand staffing needs and workflows.
• Participate in development and implementation of study operational plans including staffing and timelines.
• Observe and support all phases of clinical trials from start-up to close-out.
• Support regulatory documentation reviews and audit readiness to ensure GCP compliance.
• Learn to oversee source documentation, data entry, and protocol compliance.
• Track recruitment metrics and data reporting timelines.

Skills

1–2 years clinical research experience

Strong communication skills

Organizational skills

Regulatory guidelines familiarity

Interest in leadership

Leadership potential

Excellent written and verbal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in life sciences or healthcare

Tools

Microsoft Office

RealTime CTMS

Job description

Position Summary

The Site Manager in Training (SMIT) is an entry‑level leadership position designed to prepare individuals for future site management responsibilities. This role provides a structured development path that combines hands‑on clinical operations exposure with training in regulatory compliance, staff oversight, and study execution. Under the guidance of site leadership, the SMIT supports daily operations while progressively taking on more responsibilities aligned with the Site Manager role.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Assist with the daily operations of the clinical site, including patient scheduling, visit coordination, data entry, and regulatory documentation under the supervision of site leadership.
• Work alongside CRCs, regulatory staff, and patient‑facing teams to understand staffing needs, workflow, and team coordination. Begin developing basic supervisory and communication skills.
• Participate in the development and implementation of study‑specific operational plans, including staffing, resource planning, and timelines.
• Observe and support all phases of clinical trials, from start‑up through close‑out, gaining familiarity with site responsibilities including study feasibility, subject recruitment, protocol adherence, and data quality.
• Support the review of regulatory documentation, study submissions, and audit readiness processes to ensure compliance with GCP and applicable regulations.
• Learn to oversee source documentation, data entry, and protocol compliance by shadowing senior team members and participating in documentation reviews.
• Assist with tracking and maintaining participant recruitment metrics, data reporting timelines, and study‑related milestones.
• Serve as a secondary point of contact for sponsor, CRO, and monitor communications, escalating issues to the Site Manager or RSM as appropriate.
• Support new staff training efforts by observing onboarding activities and assisting with training documentation and scheduling.
• Attend sponsor and monitor meetings to gain exposure to external communication and sponsor expectations.
• Assist with the preparation and organization of essential documents, source templates, and site files.
• Participate in site team meetings and training sessions to develop leadership, operational, and regulatory knowledge.
• Begin learning aspects of site budgeting, billing, and financial tracking by supporting leadership with documentation, payment logs, and sponsor correspondence.
• Complete required training modules and competency assessments as part of the developmental track to Site Manager.
• Develop professional relationships with monitors, CROs, vendors, and internal stakeholders through observed and supervised interactions.
• Assist in tracking key performance indicators and site metrics under guidance from the Site Manager or Regional Site Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience in clinical research (e.g., Clinical Research Coordinator or similar role).
• Basic understanding of clinical trial operations and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to a fast‑paced environment.
• Demonstrated interest in advancing to a leadership role within clinical research site operations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and clinical trial systems preferred.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in a scientific or healthcare field

Knowledge and Skills Required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Advanced management skills with the ability to lead a team.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Commitment to the vision and mission of Elite Clinical Network.
• Experience working with multiple IRBs, Sponsors/CROs, and vendors.
• Extensive knowledge and mastery of Microsoft Office, RealTime CTMS, GCP and other industry standards.
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly and generate solutions to complex problems.
• Ability to work independently, within a multi‑disciplinary team, as well as with sponsors and vendors.
• Previous management experience preferred.

Career Development Path

The Site Manager in Training role is a 12–18 month developmental position designed to lead into a Site Manager role upon successful completion of all training milestones, competency assessments, and performance evaluations. Advancement is based on demonstrated proficiency, leadership readiness, and site needs.

Pay

• $65‑72k base salary