Director, Strategic Clinical Research & Industry

American Heart Association • Dallas, TX

1d • $120,000 - $140,000 • Remote

About The Position

The Director, Strategic Clinical Research & Industry, in the American Heart Association’s Quality, Outcomes Research & Analytics (QORA) department, leads implementation and execution of industry-sponsored research, quality improvement, and evidence-generation initiatives. The position serves as the primary operational lead for assigned industry collaborations, translating strategic partnerships into programs that advance cardiovascular and brain health and support organizational growth.

The Director partners with industry organizations and internal stakeholders to identify evidence needs and develop research and quality improvement programs. The role leads initiatives from launch through completion, manages project plans, budgets, timelines, deliverables, risks, and communications, and coordinates cross-functional teams. It also supports scientific publication and dissemination, monitors project performance and contractual commitments, ensures compliance, and contributes to client satisfaction and future business opportunities.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible, grant-funded position. Current funding is scheduled to expire July 1, 2029, with the possibility of extension. The role is identified as remote in the posting. The expected pay range is $120,000 to $140,000, with pay commensurate with experience and possible geographic differentials.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, health sciences, healthcare administration, clinical research, nursing, life sciences, business, or a related field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in clinical research, healthcare program management, life sciences, healthcare consulting, quality improvement, or a related field.
• Experience leading complex, multi-stakeholder projects or programs.
• Experience working directly with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, digital health, or healthcare industry organizations.
• Experience managing project budgets, timelines, deliverables, and client relationships.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders without direct supervisory authority.
• Strong verbal, written, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while delivering high-quality results in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree (MPH, MHA, MBA, MS, PharmD, PhD, or related field).
• Experience in cardiovascular, stroke, neuroscience, or population health research.
• Experience managing observational studies, registries, pragmatic clinical trials, implementation science, quality improvement initiatives, or real-world evidence programs.
• Knowledge of healthcare quality measurement, outcomes research, healthcare data, and evidence generation.
• Experience supporting scientific publications, abstracts, manuscripts, and conference presentations.
• Project Management Professional (PMP), SOCRA, CCRP, or equivalent certification.
• Experience working with healthcare systems, academic institutions, physician leaders, and subject matter experts.
• Experience with project management platforms, customer relationship management systems, database applications, analytics tools, and virtual collaboration technologies.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with industry partners and internal stakeholders to identify unmet evidence needs and develop fundable research and quality improvement programs.
• Lead industry-sponsored clinical research, quality improvement, registry-based, and evidence-generation initiatives from project launch through completion.
• Develop and manage project plans, timelines, deliverables, milestones, budgets, risk mitigation strategies, and communication plans.
• Coordinate and lead cross-functional teams, including research, analytics, registry operations, quality improvement, publication services, technology, legal, and finance stakeholders.
• Facilitate project and client meetings, steering committees, advisory boards, and stakeholder workgroups.
• Monitor project performance, budget utilization, timelines, and contractual commitments, and proactively identify and resolve challenges.
• Work with scientific, clinical, and operational leaders to align projects with study protocols, sponsor objectives, and organizational priorities.
• Support publication and dissemination strategies, including abstracts, manuscripts, presentations, and scientific communications.
• Collaborate with pharmaceutical, biotechnology, or medical device organizations on the design and execution of randomized controlled trials, pragmatic trials, and real-world evidence studies.
• Identify opportunities to improve client satisfaction, strengthen strategic relationships, and support repeat and future business.
• Develop operational best practices, standardized processes, and project management tools to improve efficiency and scalability.
• Prepare executive summaries, project reports, dashboards, and stakeholder updates communicating progress, outcomes, and impact.
• Ensure compliance with applicable research, privacy, regulatory, contractual, and organizational requirements.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Retirement program with employer match and automatic contribution.
• Employee assistance program, employee wellness program, telemedicine, and medical consultation.
• Professional development through Employee Resource Groups, a professional mentoring program, and Heart U.
• Paid time off of at least 16 days per year for new employees, increasing with seniority.
• 12 paid holidays per year, including several days off at the end of the year.
• Tuition assistance for education related to current or potential future duties.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director