Clinical Research Management

Open date: 07/31/2026. Full-time, 40 hours per week, day shift. Schedule to be determined.

About the Role

The Sr. Director of Research Administration, Operations, & Strategy directs, manages, and supervises the organization’s clinical research operations, including research coordination, monitoring, interviewing, and patient services. This role develops research studies, creates standards and guidelines for clinical research services and programs, and ensures adherence to protocols. The position ensures clinical research strategies, policies, and procedures are maintained, and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), and all applicable regulations. The Sr. Director prepares reports and keeps executive leadership informed of progress and problems.

The department may hire at one of the following levels based on business need and budget:

• M4 - Senior Manager, Clinical Research
• M5 - Associate Director, Clinical Research
• M6 - Director, Clinical Research
• M7 - Senior Director, Clinical Research

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise clinical research operations, including research coordination, monitoring, interviewing, and patient services.
• Develop research studies and create standards and guidelines for clinical research services and programs; monitor adherence to protocols.
• Ensure clinical research strategies, policies, and procedures are maintained and compliant with SOPs, GCPs, and all applicable regulations.
• Prepare reports and keep upper-level management informed of progress and problems.
• Assist executives and/or senior directors in defining organizational goals and strategic plans.
• Provide oversight and supervision of all administrative and clinical functions for highly regulated programs, projects, and initiatives.
• Implement and regulate strategic planning concepts, forecasting, budget systems, financial accounting, cost models, personnel/payroll operations, facilities and space management, and research administration.
• Review and authorize revenues and expenditures; exercise signatory authority for administrative documents, including personnel, grant applications, contracts, and contract modifications.
• Supervise staff, including hiring, distributing and reviewing work, performance reviews, and documenting disciplinary actions; manage work schedules and approve timecards.
• Provide professional development opportunities for staff.
• Ensure facility personnel and users are proficient in and adhere to standard practices and techniques, including proper protocol implementation.
• Coordinate and oversee all reporting functions, including annual reports, business plans, required reports, and progress reports for sponsored research.
• Oversee the development and enforcement of standard operating practices and biosafety manuals; ensure compliance with all applicable regulations.
• Partner with faculty to optimize research concepts for fundability; provide strategic guidance and operational support for grant development, feasibility assessment, and proposal preparation.

Qualifications

Equivalency statement: 1 year of higher education can substitute for 1 year of directly related work experience (e.g., bachelor’s degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

• Senior Manager, Clinical Research: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related experience.
• Associate Director, Clinical Research: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 8 years of directly related experience.
• Director, Clinical Research: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 12 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 10 years of directly related experience.
• Senior Director, Clinical Research: Bachelor’s degree (or equivalency) + 14 years of directly related experience, or master’s degree (or equivalency) + 12 years of directly related experience.

Pay

Pay range: $90,000 – $170,000, dependent upon experience.

Benefits

The University of Utah offers a comprehensive benefits package. Learn more at benefits.utah.edu.

• Eligible new hires with prior Utah Retirement Systems (URS) service may enroll in URS if they elect before becoming eligible for retirement.
• Retirees receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to post-retirement rules and restrictions.