Clinical Operations Director

The US Oncology Network•Philadelphia, PA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Nursing preferred.
Minimum of 5 years of leadership or supervisory experience in a clinical research setting preferred.
Minimum of 5 years supervisory experience in a clinical research setting is preferred.

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.
Works 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.