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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Overview

Open roles14
Top employerRevolution Medicines
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring6
Work type78% On-site
Top industryBiotechnology

Showing 5 of 14+ Associate Director Clinical Operations jobs

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Senior Manager, MN Clinical Ops, RN (Pain Clinic)
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Added 1d ago
Senior Manager, MN Clinical Ops, RN (Pain Clinic)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Accounting
$66.42 - $114.91/hr
Bachelor's degree in business
10,000+

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S
Clinical Client Services Associate – Diagnostics & Healthcare Ops (3+ Years Medical Office exp req)
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S
Added 5d ago
Clinical Client Services Associate – Diagnostics & Healthcare Ops (3+ Years Medical Office exp req)
SkylineDx USA
San Diego, California
Business Operations
Customer Service
Project Management
$50k - $58k/yr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Associate Director, Clinical Operations - Academic Affairs for Women’s & Guerin Children’s
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Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Added 1w ago
Associate Director, Clinical Operations - Academic Affairs for Women’s & Guerin Children’s
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$161k.41 - $281k/yr
Managed Registered Nurses (RNs)
10,000+

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Vir Biotechnology
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
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Vir Biotechnology
Added 3w ago
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
Vir Biotechnology
San Francisco, California
Business Strategy
Data Analytics
Data Science
$177k - $247k/yr
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

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Janux Therapeutics, Inc.
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
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Janux Therapeutics, Inc.
Added 1mo ago
Associate Director, Clinical Operations
Janux Therapeutics, Inc.
San Diego, California
Procurement & Purchasing
Procurement & Supply Chain
Supply Chain
$175k - $200k/yr
On-Site

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See All 14 Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in California

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Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
4 jobs
Redwood City
4 jobs
Los Angeles
2 jobs
San Francisco
2 jobs
Foster City
1 job
Dayton Avenue
1 job

Associate Director Clinical Operations Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

Revolution Medicines
Revolution Medicines4 open roles
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center2 open roles
KBR
KBR1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Distribution & Wholesale

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, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and KBR, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?

San Diego, Redwood City, and Los Angeles 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 22% of associate director clinical operations openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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.

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