Site Director

The Site Director provides leadership, development, and task direction for a team of clinical research professionals. Responsible for feasibility, start‑up, and execution of clinical trials, including budget and timeline management, resourcing, and end‑to‑end execution. Ensures compliance with regulations, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Pinnacle SOPs, and corporate guidelines. Collaborates cross‑functionally, coordinates, tracks and reports study status, mentors team members, and contributes to a culture of continuous improvement and performance measurement while modeling Pinnacle values.

Responsibilities

• Direct site operations activities and continually improve workflow.
• Execute operational tasks according to agreed timelines and budgets.
• Comply with policies, SOPs, and governing regulations; identify and resolve issues using advanced clinical trial and GCP knowledge.
• Maintain quality control standards and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Ensure staff fulfill training and regulatory requirements for their roles.
• Review protocols and attend trainings to guide trial execution and protocol adherence.
• Serve as the primary site contact for sponsors, CROs, and vendors.
• Represent the site at internal and external meetings.
• Partner with site marketing team to develop a pipeline of referral sources and cultivate relationships.
• Oversee completion of study feasibilities and RFI responses.
• Assist with budget negotiations for new studies.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key external parties and align the site with corporate strategic goals.
• Collaborate with corporate departments and study sponsors on site‑level marketing initiatives.
• Identify vendors and participate in vendor selection; serve as liaison to other sites for research‑related activities.
• Identify risks and proactively create and implement mitigation strategies.
• Facilitate daily operations of clinical research programs.
• Recognize, exemplify, and adhere to Pinnacle’s values and competitive differentiators of People & Culture, Science, and Quality.
• Oversee the site’s clinical operations team, manage staffing levels, and lead hiring, termination, and performance management for direct reports.
• Conduct performance reviews in accordance with company policies and pursue ongoing continuing education for leadership and skill development.
• Oversee training to ensure clinical staff competency; approve PTO while ensuring staffing levels meet daily business demands.
• Identify facility, supply, and equipment needs to maintain site capabilities.
• Implement Corrective Action Preventive Action (CAPA) plans as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science or related field; graduate degree (MS, MPH, MHA) preferred.
• Minimum five years of experience in a clinical research setting, including coordinating complex research projects.
• Research professional certification from ACRP or SOCRA preferred.
• Minimum two years of management experience in a research/clinic setting.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Experience with clinical research protocols and their governing regulations.
• Demonstrated experience in leading people and managing resources.
• Expertise in project management and budget negotiation.
• Valid driver’s license, safe driving record, and appropriately insured automobile.
• Impeccable integrity and strong personal and professional values.

Competencies

• Ability to work independently and collaborate with others.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and decision‑making skills.
• Proactive identification and resolution of issues.
• Superior written and oral communication skills, including synthesis of complex material.
• Energetic self‑starter, highly organized with strong attention to detail.
• Outstanding time‑management and project‑management abilities.
• Excellent people skills; ability to interact with diverse individuals and handle confidential matters with discretion.
• Capability to build relationships with scientific, medical, executive, administrative, and other personnel at all organizational levels.

Work Environment and Physical Demands

• Work performed in office/laboratory and/or clinical environment; exposure to biological fluids and/or bloodborne pathogens.
• Personal protective equipment required (protective eyewear, garments, gloves).
• Occasional domestic and/or international travel.
• Ability to work upright or stationary for 6–10 hours per day; frequent mobility required.
• Occasional squatting, kneeling, or bending.
• Light to moderate lifting and carrying of objects, including medical equipment (maximum 20–50 lb).

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Medical, dental, vision, long‑term disability, short‑term disability, FSA, and life insurance.
• Three weeks of paid time off.
• Fourteen paid company holidays.
• Scrub voucher (specific positions apply).
• Additional benefits offered.