Associate Director, Clinical Research Operations

Overview

The Associate Director of Clinical Research Operations for Radiation Oncology provides strategic, operational, and administrative leadership for the department's clinical research enterprise across the main campus and affiliated network sites. This role is responsible for advancing a high-quality, compliant, and financially sustainable clinical research program that supports the organization's mission of delivering innovative cancer care through cutting-edge research.

The Associate Director oversees all aspects of clinical research operations, including regulatory compliance, financial stewardship, quality assurance, portfolio development, operational performance, and human resource management. Working in close partnership with physician investigators, research leadership, institutional departments, and external collaborators, the Associate Director develops and implements strategies to expand clinical trial opportunities, optimize study activation and enrollment, strengthen research infrastructure, and ensure consistent standards across all research locations.

As a senior leader, the Associate Director builds and develops high-performing teams, fosters a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement, and serves as the department's primary representative for clinical research initiatives within the institution and across external research networks. This position provides strategic guidance to departmental and institutional leadership on clinical research priorities, operational planning, resource allocation, and organizational growth while ensuring compliance with all applicable regulatory, sponsor, and institutional requirements.

Located in Boston and the surrounding communities, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is a leader in life changing breakthroughs in cancer research and patient care. We are united in our mission of conquering cancer, HIV/AIDS, and related diseases. We strive to create an inclusive, diverse, and equitable environment where we provide compassionate and comprehensive care to patients of all backgrounds, and design programs to promote public health particularly among high-risk and underserved populations. We conduct groundbreaking research that advances treatment, we educate tomorrow's physician/researchers, and we work with amazing partners, including other Harvard Medical School-affiliated hospitals.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for the Radiation Oncology Clinical Research program, establishing the vision, priorities, and operational framework to advance a high-quality, compliant, and innovative clinical research portfolio.
• Direct clinical research operations across the department and network sites, ensuring regulatory compliance, quality assurance, financial stewardship, protocol oversight, and continuous process improvement.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with investigators, industry sponsors, affiliate hospitals, research networks, and institutional stakeholders to expand clinical research opportunities and strengthen collaborative initiatives.
• Lead clinical trial portfolio development and performance, driving study feasibility, enrollment, recruitment, retention, new technology implementation, and growth initiatives that enhance research quality, capacity, and organizational impact.
• Oversee network and affiliate research programs, ensuring operational alignment, contract coordination, consistent standards, regulatory readiness, and successful integration across all satellite and community locations.
• Provide executive leadership for clinical research staff, including organizational design, talent acquisition, performance management, professional development, succession planning, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and excellence.
• Represent the department in institutional leadership and governance, serving on key committees, leading cross-functional initiatives, communicating organizational priorities, and advising senior leadership on clinical research strategy, operations, and resource planning.
• Supervise staff. Hire, develop, and manage staff to achieve organizational goals. Set clear expectations, deliver feedback, and monitor performance for quality, efficiency, and compliance with policies and procedures. Mentor staff, foster career growth, and cultivate a positive and productive work environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Expert knowledge of clinical research regulations and compliance, including FDA, OHRP, GCP, IRB, Medicare National Coverage Determination (NCD), and applicable federal, state, sponsor, and institutional requirements governing clinical research and research financial compliance.
• Advanced knowledge of oncology clinical research operations, including protocol development and feasibility, study start-up, enrollment and retention strategies, investigational drug and device management, quality assurance, auditing, and clinical trial lifecycle management.
• Strong financial and operational management expertise, including clinical trial budget development and negotiation, financial forecasting, compliance auditing, resource allocation, cost containment, and oversight of research funding and staffing models.
• Demonstrated executive leadership and people management skills with the ability to lead managers and multidisciplinary teams, drive organizational change, develop talent, build high-performing teams, and influence stakeholders across academic, clinical, and administrative environments.
• Exceptional strategic planning, project management, and process improvement capabilities, with the ability to manage complex initiatives across multiple sites, prioritize competing demands, solve operational problems, and implement scalable, data-driven solutions.
• Outstanding analytical, communication, and relationship-building skills, including the ability to interpret clinical and operational data, prepare executive-level reports and business proposals, negotiate with internal and external partners, and effectively communicate with investigators, sponsors, regulatory bodies, and senior leadership.
• Proficiency with clinical research and healthcare technology systems, including electronic medical record systems (such as EPIC), clinical trial management systems (specifically OnCore), electronic protocol and regulatory compliance tracking systems (such as iRIS), electronic data capture platforms (like RedCap), financial and HR systems (WorkDay), and advanced Microsoft Office and data analysis tools, with meticulous attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple high-priority initiatives simultaneously.

Minimum Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in science, public health, healthcare administration, or nursing required. Master’s degree preferred.
• 6+ years clinical research experience, including at least 4 years of experience directly supervising staff, required. Experience in an academic medical center environment preferred.
• Extensive experience in healthcare research and related compliance, auditing, conducting investigations, monitoring standards, or related experience required.
• Experience with IND/IDE filings required.
• Project management experience in a healthcare setting preferred.

License/Certification/Registration Required: None

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

• Directly supervises Clinical Research Coordinators across the main campus and affiliated network sites.

Patient Contact: No

Special Working Conditions:

• Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary during key operational periods

At Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, we work every day to create an innovative, caring, and inclusive environment where every patient, family, and staff member feels they belong. As relentless as we are in our mission to reduce the burden of cancer for all, we are committed to having faculty and staff who offer multifaceted experiences. Cancer knows no boundaries and when it comes to hiring the most dedicated and compassionate professionals, neither do we. If working in this kind of organization inspires you, we encourage you to apply.

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute is an equal opportunity employer and affirms the right of every qualified applicant to receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, age, ancestry, military service, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.  

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Pay Transparency Statement

The hiring range is based on market pay structures, with individual salaries determined by factors such as business needs, market conditions, internal equity, and based on the candidate’s relevant experience, skills and qualifications.

For union positions, the pay range is determined by the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).

$129,500.00 - $150,200.00