Clinical Operations Director

Department and Salary Department: MED‑Cancer Center Salary/Grade: EXS/11 Target hiring range: $135,000‑$160,000. Job Summary This position provides clinical operational oversight of the Cancer Center Clinical Trials Office (CTO), including direct responsibility for all clinical trials operations within the Central Region of Northwestern Medicine. The region includes Galter 21, Galter 17, Galter‑LC, Prentice LC, Prentice 4, Prentice 5, Prentice 14, Prentice 15, Prentice 16, Olson 1, Arkes 12, Arkes 21, and Lavin 14. The role manages staff, policies, and procedures for daily operations, supports clinical trials across 14 disease areas, and collaborates with Finance, IT, and other units engaged in clinical trials. Specific Responsibilities Under the leadership of the Administrative Director, set clinical operating goals, strategic plan, and policies, including assessment of operational feasibility. Identify and recommend process improvements based on trial data and audits. Oversee central region clinical trials operations, establishing and managing clinical, service, and financial outcomes consistent with corporate standards. Ensure high satisfaction among CTO faculty users and high employee engagement scores for CTO staff. Responsible for clinical trial feasibility review. Oversee budget development and monitoring for the clinical trials office. Ensure timely patient‑specific billing compliance with hospital requirements. Demonstrate knowledge of budgeting, cost containment, and process improvement. Ensure compliance with NCI CCSG guidelines and mandates. Review and submit deviations; oversee corrective and preventive action plans and develop tracking dashboards. Collaborate frequently with CTO department users (e.g., Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, Pediatrics). Lead technical collaboration with faculty across 14 disease teams to determine trial priorities. Oversee patient safety through protocol compliance. Troubleshoot emergent patient care issues to ensure adherence to protocols, reporting policies, and regulations. Oversee clinical audit readiness. Develop clinical operations SOPs. Create communication, training, and research education for all clinical departments (PIs, APNs, Infusion Nurses, IR Techs, etc.). Create compliance tracking dashboards. Manage project data: processing, accuracy, analysis, and evaluation to meet deliverables. Partner with internal/external project and IT staff to prepare progress and final reports. Represent the discipline on forums or committees to establish protocols and standards. Contribute to abstracts and publications for professional societies. Miscellaneous Performed other duties as assigned. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s preferred. Certification in clinical research (regulatory, coordinator, QA, or equivalent) required. More than 5 years in clinical trials management. More than 10 years of experience conducting trials at an NCI‑designated cancer center. Experience managing more than 25 staff. Experience managing in a matrixed cancer center (university and health system separate organizations). Experience with a successful Cancer Center Support Grant renewal. Minimum Competencies Excellent communication skills with balanced speaking and listening. Track record of continuous process improvement and quality control. Patient‑first mindset, striving for high satisfaction and engagement. Staff engagement focus with clear expectations, progress review, feedback, and accountability. Leadership role modeling, respectful, transparent, approachable, and team oriented. Strong time management, cost conscious, proactive, and follow‑through oriented. Coachable, self‑reflective, receptive to feedback, and committed to lifelong learning. Clinical trial expertise across all cancer types, sponsor interactions, audit preparation, and compassionate use protocols. Familiarity with common cancer epidemiology and ability to partner with oncology faculty. Ability to work with clinical operational leadership in inpatient and outpatient settings support annual goals and quality projects. Preferred Qualifications Master’s degree in public health, business, health care, or equivalent. 10+ years of management experience. Experience in an NCCN member institution. Experience in an LAPS institution. Experience in an NCI Comprehensive Cancer Center with multiple community locations. Benefits Northwestern provides health, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance; paid vacation, holidays, medical/sick and parental leave; tuition benefits for employees and dependents; pre‑tax and flex spending accounts; retirement savings options; and wellness programs. For more details visit Work‑Life and Wellness Northwestern offers comprehensive programs and services to support flexible work arrangements, childcare, and senior/adult care. Visit for more information. Professional Growth & Development Northwestern supports career development and education resources for all employees, whether on campus or remote. Visit Equal Opportunity Employment Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected characteristics, including disability and veteran status. For accommodations requests contact the Office of Civil Rights and Title IX Compliance. View additional information on the accommodations process. #J-18808-Ljbffr Northwestern University