Site Manager In Training

Position Summary

The Site Manager in Training (SMIT) is an entry-level leadership position designed to prepare individuals for future site management responsibilities. This role provides a structured development path that combines hands-on clinical operations exposure with training in regulatory compliance, staff oversight, and study execution.

Roles And Responsibilities

• Aid with the daily operations of the clinical site, including patient scheduling, visit coordination, data entry, and regulatory documentation under the supervision of site leadership.
• Work alongside Clinical Research Coordinators (CRCs), regulatory staff, and patient-facing teams to understand staffing needs, workflow, and team coordination.
• Begin developing basic supervisory and communication skills.
• Participate in the development and implementation of study-specific operational plans, including staffing, resource planning, and timelines.
• Observe and support all phases of clinical trials, from start-up through close-out, gaining familiarity with site responsibilities including study feasibility, subject recruitment, protocol adherence, and data quality.
• Support the review of regulatory documentation, study submissions, and audit readiness processes to ensure compliance with Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and applicable regulations.
• Learn to oversee source documentation, data entry, and protocol compliance by shadowing senior team members and participating in documentation reviews.
• Assist with tracking and maintaining participant recruitment metrics, data reporting timelines, and study-related milestones.
• Serve as a secondary point of contact for sponsor, CRO, and monitor communications, escalating issues to the Site Manager or Regional Site Manager as appropriate.
• Assist in new staff training efforts by observing onboarding activities and assisting with training documentation and scheduling.
• Attend sponsor and monitor meetings to gain exposure to external communication and sponsor expectations.
• Aid in the preparation and organization of essential documents, source templates, and site files.
• Participate in site team meetings and training sessions to develop leadership, operational, and regulatory knowledge.
• Begin learning aspects of site budgeting, billing, and financial tracking by supporting leadership with documentation, payment logs, and sponsor correspondence.
• Complete required training modules and competency assessments as part of the developmental track to Site Manager.
• Develop professional relationships with monitors, CROs, vendors, and internal stakeholders through observed and supervised interactions.
• Aid in tracking key performance indicators and site metrics under guidance from the Site Manager or Regional Site Manager.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in life sciences, healthcare, or a related field preferred.
• 1–2 years of experience in clinical research (e.g., Clinical Research Coordinator or similar role).
• Basic understanding of clinical trial operations and regulatory guidelines.
• Strong communication and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated interest in advancing to a leadership role within clinical research site operations.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office and clinical trial systems preferred.

Career Development Path

The Site Manager in Training role is a 12–18 month developmental position designed to lead into a Site Manager role upon successful completion of all training milestones, competency assessments, and performance evaluations. Advancement is based on demonstrated proficiency, leadership readiness, and site needs.

Pay

$65-72k base salary