Surgical Specialist Director

Glaukos Corporation • Aliso Viejo, CA

144d

About The Position

As part of the Clinical Development Leadership Team, the Surgical Specialist Director provides strategic leadership and subject matter expertise in surgical training for clinical investigators, associated healthcare professionals, commercial customers, and internal stakeholders. This role is accountable for the development and implementation of high-quality surgical training for on medical devices and procedural pharmaceuticals that will be used in our clinical studies (pre and post-market). As the lead architect of the surgical training program, the Director oversees the development, implementation, and ongoing enhancement of training processes, competency assessments, and educational resources. This individual drives cross-functional training initiatives, leads the train-the-trainer strategy, and ensures surgical readiness across clinical trials. This role can support commercial launch activities when needed. With global oversight, this role serves as the clinical team’s primary authority on surgical applications and surgical training execution. This role sets the strategic and cultural tone for the Surgical Specialist team and is responsible for the growth, development, and morale of a highly effective and efficient organization.

Requirements

• 10+ years of relevant experience as a clinical applications specialist/surgical specialist/surgical trainer in Ophthalmology.
• Interventional Glaucoma experience is preferred.
• 3+ years of previous people management.
• Proven expertise in surgical procedure training within the medical device, pharmaceutical, or healthcare industry.
• Experience supporting clinical trials and/or investigational medical devices preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including international assignments as required.
• Exceptional communication, facilitation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence across cross-functional teams and executive leadership.
• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Surgical Technology, Biological Sciences, or related field required; advanced clinical or surgical degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the global surgical training strategy for pre-market clinical trials and post-market programs.
• Lead a team of Surgical Specialists, serving as a role model, creating a collaborative environment to achieve business needs.
• Ensure compliance with GCPs and compliance with company SOPs and guidance documents.
• Develop scalable training models and field implementation strategies to ensure surgical excellence and procedural consistency.
• Partner with Clinical Development, Medical Affairs, and Commercial Training to align training strategy with company priorities.
• Oversee and perform direct on-site surgical training and mentoring to investigative sites and surgeons for investigational and commercial products.
• Deliver didactic, dry lab, wet lab, and in operating room surgical training for clinical investigators and commercial users.
• Lead and conduct surgical competency assessments and determine surgeon readiness for independent practice within protocol.
• Provide high-level surgical oversight in the operating room during clinical trial cases; support documentation of adverse events, deviations, and procedural integrity.
• Ensure ongoing qualification and credentialing to access and operate within surgical suites, including international hospital systems.
• Lead train-the-trainer programs for RBMs, CRMs, and other field stakeholders, enhancing their ability to provide frontline support.
• Serve as primary resource and mentor for regional and field teams on surgical techniques, procedural innovation, and emerging best practices.
• Act as company-wide expert in surgical technique, methodology, and training effectiveness.
• Collaborate with R&D, Clinical Affairs, and Regulatory to inform device design and procedural workflows from a surgical perspective.
• Provide early feasibility and first-in-human support for new product initiatives.
• Remain accessible to field teams and surgeon partners for real-time consultative guidance.
• Oversee the development and continuous refinement of surgical training curriculum, resources, and documentation.
• Lead the development of clinical training materials through partnership with Engineering, Clinical Research, and Marketing to ensure materials meet clinical, educational, and compliance requirements.
• Integrate feedback from the field to improve training programs and drive surgical outcome excellence.
• Communicate proactively and effectively across Clinical and Commercial teams.
• Implement cross functional training, collaboration, and feedback.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees