Executive Director, Clinical Research Office

About the Role

The Executive Director, Clinical Research Office at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) provides senior operational leadership for key clinical research operations support. Reporting to the Associate Vice President, Research Operations, this individual collaborates closely with the Associate Vice President, Research Finance, Director, Human Research Protection Program, and other executive leaders to implement operational initiatives across CHLA.

The Executive Director fosters effective relationships with Principal Investigators, the Keck School of Medicine, and other stakeholders across CHLA. Their responsibilities include defining and leading the strategic vision for clinical research operations, ensuring a compliant, efficient, and customer-focused infrastructure that aligns with institutional priorities and fosters growth in high-impact research areas.

This role provides strategic oversight for clinical research coordinator and regulatory support staff, policy development, fiscal management, and staff performance, driving operational excellence and continuous improvement to support high-quality, innovative clinical research.

Schedule

Monday-Friday, Day Shift

Responsibilities

• Provide senior operational leadership for clinical research operations support.
• Collaborate with executive leaders to implement operational initiatives across CHLA.
• Foster effective relationships with Principal Investigators, the Keck School of Medicine, and other stakeholders.
• Define and lead the strategic vision for clinical research operations.
• Ensure a compliant, efficient, and customer-focused infrastructure aligned with institutional priorities.
• Provide strategic oversight for clinical research coordinator and regulatory support staff.
• Oversee policy development, fiscal management, and staff performance.
• Drive operational excellence and continuous improvement in clinical research.

Requirements

• 10+ years of progressively responsible management experience in clinical research operations, including 5 years in senior leadership roles. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• In-depth technical knowledge of clinical research regulations, compliance standards, and industry best practices (e.g., ICH, FDA, GCP).
• Prior experience in a hospital research setting, university research setting, and/or clinical research operation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook; Internet Functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree. Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Preferred: Certification in clinical research coordination (e.g., ACRP/SoCRA - CCRC) and/or experience as a healthcare provider (RN, LPN, PA, PharmD, NP, etc.).
• Preferred: Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., MHA, MBA, MSN).