Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in California
Associate Director Clinical Operations jobs in California are among the most actively recruited positions in the life sciences sector, with strong demand from biopharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations, and large integrated health systems concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Employers like Genentech, AstraZeneca, and IQVIA maintain deep footprints across the state and hire at every level from newly promoted directors through senior program leads overseeing multi-site trials. The most sought-after specialties in California include oncology clinical operations, rare disease program management, and decentralized trial oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 10+ Associate Director Clinical Operations jobs
El Camino Health is committed to hiring, retaining and growing the best and brightest professionals who will carry our mission and vision forward. We are proud of our reputation in the community: One built on compassion, innovation, collaboration and delivering high-quality care. Come join the team that makes this happen.
Applicants MUST apply for position(s) by submitting a separate application for each individual job posting number they are interested in being considered for.
FTE
1Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours
80Work Shift
All Shifts: 8 hoursJob Description
The Clinical Manager is responsible for the management of nursing practice and operations in the assigned unit/s. This includes, but is not limited to, the management of: clinical nursing practice, staff recruitment, retention, labor relations, supply chain and budget, staffing, employee performance evaluation, quality improvement, staff education, internal and external regulatory and survey requirements. The Clinical Manager collaborates with multiple professionals to support and coordinate the provision / management of patient care. He or she works closely with the, physicians and staff in insuring that the unit maintains the highest standards of patient care and is responsive to the needs of the patient & family as well as the organization. The Clinical Manager is the leader of the unit and has the ability to create and empower teams to embrace and implement change that will improve the clinical, operational, and financial performance. QualificationsB.S.N. required; a Master's degree in Nursing or in a health-related field is preferred (may be in progress). Three (3) years clinical leadership experience and ability to demonstrate competency in management skills. Three (3) years clinical nursing experience is required; and at least one (1) year of related nursing experience required. Ability to organize, prioritize and delegate appropriately. Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills and teamwork License/Certification/Registration Requirements Current California RN license required. Specialty certification preferred. Current BLS certification required.Salary Range:
$98.83 - $148.24 USD HourThe Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this job are available. El Camino Health will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability if that will allow them to perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so creates an undue hardship for the hospital, or causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work - Duties performed mostly while sitting; walking and standing at times. Occasionally lift or carry up to 10 lbs. Uses hands and fingers. - (Physical Requirements-United States of America)
An Equal Opportunity Employer:
El Camino Health seeks and values a diverse workforce. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and competencies. El Camino Health prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, age, medical condition or any other status protected by law. In addition to state and federal law, El Camino Health also follows all applicable fair and equitable employment policies from the County of Santa Clara.
El Camino Health is committed to hiring, retaining and growing the best and brightest professionals who will carry our mission and vision forward. We are proud of our reputation in the community: One built on compassion, innovation, collaboration and delivering high-quality care. Come join the team that makes this happen.
Applicants MUST apply for position(s) by submitting a separate application for each individual job posting number they are interested in being considered for.
FTE
1Scheduled Bi-Weekly Hours
80Work Shift
All Shifts: 8 hoursJob Description
The Clinical Manager is responsible for the management of nursing practice and operations in the assigned unit/s. This includes, but is not limited to, the management of: clinical nursing practice, staff recruitment, retention, labor relations, supply chain and budget, staffing, employee performance evaluation, quality improvement, staff education, internal and external regulatory and survey requirements. The Clinical Manager collaborates with multiple professionals to support and coordinate the provision / management of patient care. He or she works closely with the, physicians and staff in insuring that the unit maintains the highest standards of patient care and is responsive to the needs of the patient & family as well as the organization. The Clinical Manager is the leader of the unit and has the ability to create and empower teams to embrace and implement change that will improve the clinical, operational, and financial performance. QualificationsB.S.N. required; a Master's degree in Nursing or in a health-related field is preferred (may be in progress). Three (3) years clinical leadership experience and ability to demonstrate competency in management skills. Three (3) years clinical nursing experience is required; and at least one (1) year of related nursing experience required. Ability to organize, prioritize and delegate appropriately. Demonstrated excellence in interpersonal skills and teamwork License/Certification/Registration Requirements Current California RN license required. Specialty certification preferred. Current BLS certification required.Salary Range:
$98.83 - $148.24 USD HourThe Physical Requirements and Working Conditions of this job are available. El Camino Health will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability if that will allow them to perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so creates an undue hardship for the hospital, or causes a direct threat to these individuals or others in the workplace which cannot be eliminated by reasonable accommodation.
Sedentary Work - Duties performed mostly while sitting; walking and standing at times. Occasionally lift or carry up to 10 lbs. Uses hands and fingers. - (Physical Requirements-United States of America)
An Equal Opportunity Employer:
El Camino Health seeks and values a diverse workforce. The organization is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions on the basis of qualifications and competencies. El Camino Health prohibits discrimination in employment based on race, ancestry, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, age, medical condition or any other status protected by law. In addition to state and federal law, El Camino Health also follows all applicable fair and equitable employment policies from the County of Santa Clara.
See All 10 Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsAssociate Director Clinical Operations Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Associate Director Clinical Operations Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate director clinical operations jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field
- Minimum five years of clinical trial management experience in a regulated environment
- Demonstrated leadership of cross-functional clinical operations teams across multiple studies
- Working knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements for clinical research
- Experience managing CROs, investigative sites, and vendor relationships for Phase II or III trials
- Proficiency with clinical trial management systems such as Veeva Vault or Medidata Rave
Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a associate director clinical operations in California?
The path to an associate director clinical operations role in California typically begins with a degree in a life sciences or health-related field followed by several years of progressive clinical trial coordination and management experience. California does not require a state-issued license specific to this role, but many employers favor candidates holding a Certified Clinical Research Professional credential from the Society of Clinical Research Associates. Building experience at a CRO, biopharmaceutical company, or academic medical center in the state is the most direct route.
Which companies hire associate director clinical operationss in California?
Employers hiring associate director clinical operationss in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Exelixis, and Nkarta, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and contract research organizations means openings appear consistently throughout the year, particularly in the Bay Area and San Diego biotech corridors.
Which California cities have the most associate director clinical operations jobs?
Redwood City, Alameda, and Los Gatos account for the largest share of associate director clinical operations openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its dense cluster of biopharmaceutical headquarters and biotech firms, San Diego draws heavily from its established life sciences corridor anchored by companies like Pfizer and Illumina, and Los Angeles openings reflect its large academic medical centers and growing cell and gene therapy sector.
Are there remote associate director clinical operations jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields, given that clinical operations oversight at this level involves study monitoring, vendor management, and cross-functional coordination that can be handled remotely. About 17% of associate director clinical operations openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, reflecting broad industry acceptance of distributed leadership. Regulatory strategy, CRO oversight, and protocol development work tend to be the functions most compatible with full remote arrangements.
How can I get hired as a associate director clinical operations in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a clinical trial coordinator or clinical research associate role at a California CRO or biopharmaceutical company first, then building toward a clinical trial manager position before targeting associate director openings. Large California employers like Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and IQVIA run formal development programs and post entry-level clinical operations roles regularly. Pursuing a Certified Clinical Research Associate credential early and gaining site monitoring experience on oncology or rare disease studies gives candidates a meaningful edge when applying for more senior roles.
Where can I find and apply to associate director clinical operations jobs in California?
You can find and apply to associate director clinical operations jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biopharmaceutical companies, CROs, and health systems. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and specialty area, and apply directly to each position without creating an account or signing up.
See All 10 Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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