Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Bethesda, MD
Associate Director Clinical Operations jobs in Bethesda are actively hiring, concentrated in the Bethesda Metro Corridor, the NIH Research Campus area, and the Rockville Pike biotech cluster across biopharma, clinical research organizations, and federal health contractors. Employers hiring right now include Westat, The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and GEICO. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Westat is a leader in research, data collection and analysis, technical assistance, evaluation, and communications. Our evidence-based findings help clients in government and the private sector accelerate advancements in health, education, transportation, and social and economic policy. Our dedication to improving lives through research and our approach to projects grounded in investigative curiosity, statistical and data rigor, adaptive methods, and advanced technology are why clients find exceptional value in our work.
Westat is seeking a detail-oriented and talented IT Business Analyst to bridge the gap between our software development and project research teams. You will collaborate in the end-to-end process of identifying stakeholder needs, analyzing requirements, and delivering solutions to support our clients’ missions to improve outcomes in public health, education, social policy, and transportation.
This is a full-time position with a hybrid work arrangement at our corporate headquarters (1-2 days per week) in Bethesda.
Job Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with stakeholders to gather and document business requirements and translate them into technical specifications.
- Conduct detailed analysis of business processes, workflows, and systems to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
- Develop and maintain requirement documentation, including use cases, process flows, and functional specifications.
- Work closely with IT teams to ensure that technical solutions align with project goals and requirements.
- Assist in the design, testing, and implementation of new systems and enhancements to existing systems.
- Perform gap analysis to identify discrepancies between requirements and current capabilities.
- Facilitate communication between users, stakeholders, IT, and project management teams.
- Provide support and training to end-users to ensure successful adoption of new systems and processes.
- Support the monitoring of project progress and provide regular updates to IT project managers and stakeholders.
- Support the administration and implementation of projects via the Agile methodology.
- Ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance, requiring consistent U.S. residency for the majority of the last five years.
- A bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in business analysis or equivalent role.
- Demonstrated success in leading requirements gathering and documentation process in collaboration with clients, stakeholders, and development teams.
- Demonstrated experience applying QA methodologies to drive testing efficiency and accuracy, supported by detailed test plans and documented results.
- Proven experience crafting purposeful documentation to clearly communicate business requirements and foster stakeholder alignment, leveraging analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working in a professional services research environment.
- Knowledge of Agile methodologies.
- Experience producing high-quality documentation for requirements, solution options, business cases, and recommendations on proposed solutions.
- Familiarity with data analysis and reporting tools.
- Experience working with change management committees, prioritization processes, and end user groups.
- Knowledge of industry best practices and emerging technologies.
- Demonstrated proficiency with change control and DevOps management tools (e.g., GitLab, JIRA, etc.).
Westat offers a well-rounded and comprehensive benefits program focused on wellness and work/life balance. Subject to plan requirements, employees may participate in:
- Employee Stock Ownership Plan
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Vacation Leave (15 days per year)
- Sick Leave (9 days per year)
- Holiday Leave (7 government holidays and 2 floating holidays)
- Professional Development
- Health Advocate
- Employee Assistance Program
- Travel Accident Insurance
- Medical Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Short Term Disability Insurance
- Long Term Disability Insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Critical Illness Insurance
- Supplemental Life Insurance
- Flexible Spending Account
- Health Savings Account
Any offer of employment may be contingent upon receipt of acceptable results from a post-offer background screening, if required for the specific position, which may include, for example, identity verification, employment history, motor vehicle driving record history, and criminal or sexual offender records history. Any background screening results will be evaluated through an individualized assessment based on the individual’s specific record and the duties and requirements of the position.
This opportunity will be posted for a minimum of 5 days and applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Employment Eligibility: This is a U.S.-based position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Westat does not offer employment-based visa sponsorship (including H-1B sponsorship) for this role. Depending on project requirements, some positions may require employees to meet specific residency criteria.
Westat is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other protected status under applicable law. It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
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Who's Hiring
- Westat5

- The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine4

- GEICO3

- Weaver2

- CohnReznick2

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services4
- Science & Research3
- Accounting & Auditing3
- Insurance2
- Retail1
Associate Director Clinical Operations Jobs in Bethesda: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a associate director clinical operations job in Bethesda?
The strongest path into an associate director clinical operations role in Bethesda runs through the city's dense concentration of biopharma sponsors, contract research organizations, and NIH-adjacent health agencies. Candidates with direct oversight experience in Phase II through Phase IV trials, familiarity with FDA regulatory frameworks, and a history managing cross-functional clinical teams stand out here. Targeting mid-size biotech companies along Rockville Pike and large CROs near the Metro Corridor gives you the broadest access to active openings.
Which companies hire associate director clinical operationss in Bethesda?
Companies currently hiring associate director clinical operationss in Bethesda include Westat, The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, and GEICO, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Bethesda's employer mix skews heavily toward biopharma firms, contract research organizations, and federally affiliated health institutes, many of which maintain clinical operations teams close to the NIH campus.
Are there remote associate director clinical operations jobs in Bethesda?
Yes, though availability is limited because most associate director clinical operations roles require on-site coordination with study teams, sites, and sponsors. About 75% of associate director clinical operations openings tied to Bethesda are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with those arrangements most common for protocol development, vendor oversight, and data review responsibilities rather than active site management.
How can I get a associate director clinical operations job in Bethesda with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Bethesda is building your foundation through clinical trial coordinator or clinical operations manager roles at the CROs and mid-size biotech firms clustered near the NIH campus and Rockville Pike. Many Bethesda-area sponsors run structured clinical development programs that promote from within. Candidates who earn certifications in good clinical practice and demonstrate experience managing site relationships, timelines, and regulatory submissions accelerate their path to an associate director level.
Which industries hire the most associate director clinical operationss in Bethesda?
Most associate director clinical operations openings in Bethesda sit in Consulting & Professional Services, Science & Research, and Accounting & Auditing, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Bethesda's proximity to NIH and its established biotech corridor make it a natural hub for clinical research-driven organizations that require experienced operations leadership at every stage of drug and device development.
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