Associate Director, Clinical Operations Line Manager

Summary

The Clinical Operations Line Manager is responsible for the recruitment, development, and leadership of Clinical Operations staff, including Clinical Program Managers, Clinical Trial Managers and Clinical Trial Associates. This role ensures high-quality execution of clinical research projects through effective resource planning, performance management, and adherence to regulatory and company standards. The Line Manager plays a key role in driving operational excellence, fostering employee growth, and supporting process improvements within Clinical Operations. Additionally, they contribute to strategic planning, performance evaluations, and functional partnerships to enhance the overall efficiency and success of clinical trials. This role is remote or if in the Bay area, hybrid with 2-3 days in the Brisbane office.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the direct line manager for Clinical Operations staff, including Clinical Program Managers, Clinical Trial Managers and Clinical Trial Associates.
• Participate in hiring, onboarding, and training new employees to ensure seamless integration into the team.
• Conduct performance appraisals, provide feedback, and recommend promotions, bonuses, or other incentives.
• Oversee resource planning, work assignments, and project allocations based on staff expertise and study requirements.
• Maintain oversight of resource utilization to align with business priorities and study pipeline needs.
• Monitor and report on workload and quality metrics to ensure operational efficiency and compliance.
• Guide professional development through coaching and mentorship, performance evaluations, and career growth planning. Participate in developing training and development plan for the roles assigned.
• Develop and track performance metrics to be used during employee evaluation.
• Provide mentorship in study execution, ensuring high quality work, meeting timelines and deliverables.
• Support contingency planning and risk mitigation strategies for clinical study execution.
• Ensure adherence by staff to company policies, SOPs, ICH-GCP guidelines, and other regulatory requirements.
• Work cross-functionally with other department leaders to ensure alignment of company-wide objectives.
• Act as a point of escalation for resolving personnel challenges and team conflicts.
• Foster a positive, professional work environment that attracts and retains top clinical research talent.
• Lead and implement quality initiatives and process improvements within Clinical Operations.
• Identify and implement process improvements through data analysis and operational reviews.
• Lead task forces or committees to drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure that staff remain audit- and inspection-ready at all times.
• Champion employee engagement, development, and retention through continuous feedback and support. Manage and communicate budget for any contracted staff within these roles.

Qualifications

This position requires a strategic leader who can balance operational execution with team development, ensuring both high-quality clinical trial delivery and a strong, motivated workforce.

• 10+ years in clinical research (8+ years with an advanced degree), oncology preferred
• 4+ years as a direct line manager
• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent
• Demonstrated work in training, development and mentorship
• Advanced interpersonal and communication skills
• Familiarity with common systems such as CTMS, eTMF, EDC, etc.
• ~10-20% travel as needed for development and in-person meetings

Physical Requirements Office Setting Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required. Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard, mouse, or calculator, and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds. This role can be based at our Brisbane, CA location (preferred) or can be remote based. The anticipated salary range for fully qualified candidates applying for this position is $200,000 - $215,000 USD annually. This salary range is an estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay for this posted position. The actual salary may vary based on various factors including, without limitation, individual education, experience, tenure, skills and abilities, internal equity and alignment with market data. In addition to a competitive market-based salary, Arcus offers the opportunity to participate in stoc Apply tot his job Apply To this Job