Clinical Operations Director Jobs in California
Clinical Operations Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, academic medical centers, and large integrated health systems, with openings at every level from newly promoted manager stepping into first director roles through seasoned executives overseeing multi-site programs. Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego account for the largest share of postings, anchored by employers such as Kaiser Permanente, Cedars-Sinai Health System, and Genentech. The most in-demand specialties in California are clinical trial operations, value-based care program management, and ambulatory care expansion. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 14+ Clinical Operations Director jobs
INTRODUCTION
Invitae, part of Labcorp, is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Operations Site Director for our Genetics laboratory in San Francisco, CA. This position is accountable for the overall leadership, performance, and compliance of a high‑volume clinical genetic testing laboratory. This role provides strategic, operational, and scientific leadership to ensure excellence in quality, turnaround time, cost, scalability, and regulatory compliance while supporting continued growth and innovation in genetic diagnostics. The Site Director is responsible for laboratory operations, people leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous improvement in a CLIA/CAP‑regulated environment.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm
Address: 1400 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory Leadership & Operations
- Provide end‑to‑end operational leadership for a large‑scale, high‑complexity clinical genetic testing laboratory.
- Ensure reliable, scalable processing while meeting or exceeding turnaround time and quality targets.
- Oversee daily laboratory operations including sample accessioning, wet lab workflows, post-sequencing processes, and inventory.
- Drive capacity planning, strategy, and throughput optimization to support business growth.
Quality, Compliance & Regulatory
- Maintain full compliance with CLIA, CAP, state, and federal regulations.
- Serve as the site designee and work closely with the Laboratory Director to ensure regulatory readiness.
- Support inspections, audits, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities.
- Champion a culture of quality, safety, and continuous compliance.
People & Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization.
- Build a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, inclusion, and professional development.
- Partner with HR on workforce planning, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
- Coach leaders to scale teams effectively in a fast‑growing environment.
Financial & Business Management
- Own site‑level operating budgets, staffing models, and cost controls.
- Identify opportunities to improve cost per test without compromising quality or compliance.
- Partner with finance and commercial teams to support pricing, capacity forecasting, and margin improvement initiatives.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Act as the primary site liaison with R&D, Medical Affairs, Quality, Regulatory, IT, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
- Support assay launches, technology transfers, and process changes from development into production.
- Provide operational input into new product planning and long‑term laboratory strategy.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support adoption of automation and advanced analytics to improve efficiency and scalability.
- Promote data‑driven decision‑making using operational KPIs and quality metrics.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in a Chemical or Biological Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology
- 6 or more years of experience in clinical laboratory operations, with proven leadership responsibilities
- 5 or more years experience in leadership, directly managing employees
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 or more years experience managing people leaders
- 1 year or more experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based clinical lab testing, bioinformatics workflows, and automation
- 1 year or more experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence methodologies
- 1 year or more experience in a commercial diagnostics or precision medicine organization
ADDITIONAL JOB STANDARDS
- Deep knowledge of CLIA/CAP regulations and inspection readiness
- Proven ability to scale operations in a regulated, production environment
- Strategic and operational thinker with strong execution discipline
- Comfortable leading large, complex organizations through change
- Data‑driven decision maker with strong financial acumen
- Excellent communicator and cross‑functional collaborator
- Strong people leader who builds trust and develops talent
- On‑site leadership presence required in a fast‑paced, production laboratory environment
- Occasional travel for inspections, leadership meetings, or cross‑site collaboration
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range: $140,000 - $200,000 per year
All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data.
The position is also eligible for an annual bonus under the Labcorp Bonus Plan. Bonuses are payable based on corporate and/or business segment performance and are subject to individual performance modifiers.
BENEFITS
Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO), Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Employees regularly scheduled to work less than 20 hours, Casual, Intern, and Temporary employees are only eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Employees who are regularly scheduled to work a 7 on/7 off schedule are eligible to receive all the foregoing benefits except PTO or FTO. For more detailed information, please click here.
Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Labcorp strives for inclusion and belonging in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications and merit of the individual. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Additionally, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law.
We encourage all to apply
If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance using our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or needs an accommodation, please visit our accessibility site or contact us at Labcorp Accessibility. For more information about how we collect and store your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement.
INTRODUCTION
Invitae, part of Labcorp, is seeking a Clinical Laboratory Operations Site Director for our Genetics laboratory in San Francisco, CA. This position is accountable for the overall leadership, performance, and compliance of a high‑volume clinical genetic testing laboratory. This role provides strategic, operational, and scientific leadership to ensure excellence in quality, turnaround time, cost, scalability, and regulatory compliance while supporting continued growth and innovation in genetic diagnostics. The Site Director is responsible for laboratory operations, people leadership, cross‑functional collaboration, and continuous improvement in a CLIA/CAP‑regulated environment.
Work Schedule: Monday – Friday, 8am - 5pm
Address: 1400 16th Street, San Francisco, CA 94103
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Laboratory Leadership & Operations
- Provide end‑to‑end operational leadership for a large‑scale, high‑complexity clinical genetic testing laboratory.
- Ensure reliable, scalable processing while meeting or exceeding turnaround time and quality targets.
- Oversee daily laboratory operations including sample accessioning, wet lab workflows, post-sequencing processes, and inventory.
- Drive capacity planning, strategy, and throughput optimization to support business growth.
Quality, Compliance & Regulatory
- Maintain full compliance with CLIA, CAP, state, and federal regulations.
- Serve as the site designee and work closely with the Laboratory Director to ensure regulatory readiness.
- Support inspections, audits, and corrective/preventive action (CAPA) activities.
- Champion a culture of quality, safety, and continuous compliance.
People & Organizational Leadership
- Lead and develop a multidisciplinary organization.
- Build a high‑performance culture focused on accountability, engagement, inclusion, and professional development.
- Partner with HR on workforce planning, recruiting, retention, and succession planning.
- Coach leaders to scale teams effectively in a fast‑growing environment.
Financial & Business Management
- Own site‑level operating budgets, staffing models, and cost controls.
- Identify opportunities to improve cost per test without compromising quality or compliance.
- Partner with finance and commercial teams to support pricing, capacity forecasting, and margin improvement initiatives.
Cross‑Functional Collaboration
- Act as the primary site liaison with R&D, Medical Affairs, Quality, Regulatory, IT, Supply Chain, and Commercial teams.
- Support assay launches, technology transfers, and process changes from development into production.
- Provide operational input into new product planning and long‑term laboratory strategy.
Continuous Improvement & Innovation
- Drive Lean, Six Sigma, or similar continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support adoption of automation and advanced analytics to improve efficiency and scalability.
- Promote data‑driven decision‑making using operational KPIs and quality metrics.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in a Chemical or Biological Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, or Medical Technology
- 6 or more years of experience in clinical laboratory operations, with proven leadership responsibilities
- 5 or more years experience in leadership, directly managing employees
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- 3 or more years experience managing people leaders
- 1 year or more experience with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) based clinical lab testing, bioinformatics workflows, and automation
- 1 year or more experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or operational excellence methodologies
- 1 year or more experience in a commercial diagnostics or precision medicine organization
ADDITIONAL JOB STANDARDS
- Deep knowledge of CLIA/CAP regulations and inspection readiness
- Proven ability to scale operations in a regulated, production environment
- Strategic and operational thinker with strong execution discipline
- Comfortable leading large, complex organizations through change
- Data‑driven decision maker with strong financial acumen
- Excellent communicator and cross‑functional collaborator
- Strong people leader who builds trust and develops talent
- On‑site leadership presence required in a fast‑paced, production laboratory environment
- Occasional travel for inspections, leadership meetings, or cross‑site collaboration
COMPENSATION
- Pay Range: $140,000 - $200,000 per year
All job offers will be based on a candidate’s skills and prior relevant experience, applicable degrees/certifications, as well as internal equity and market data.
The position is also eligible for an annual bonus under the Labcorp Bonus Plan. Bonuses are payable based on corporate and/or business segment performance and are subject to individual performance modifiers.
BENEFITS
Employees regularly scheduled to work 20 or more hours per week are eligible for comprehensive benefits including: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, STD/LTD, 401(k), Paid Time Off (PTO) or Flexible Time Off (FTO), Tuition Reimbursement and Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Employees regularly scheduled to work less than 20 hours, Casual, Intern, and Temporary employees are only eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan. Employees who are regularly scheduled to work a 7 on/7 off schedule are eligible to receive all the foregoing benefits except PTO or FTO. For more detailed information, please click here.
Labcorp is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Labcorp strives for inclusion and belonging in the workforce and does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind. We make employment decisions based on the needs of our business and the qualifications and merit of the individual. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), family or parental status, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, personal appearance, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, or any other legally protected characteristic. Additionally, all qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with applicable law.
We encourage all to apply
If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance using our online tools to search and apply for jobs, or needs an accommodation, please visit our accessibility site or contact us at Labcorp Accessibility. For more information about how we collect and store your personal data, please see our Privacy Statement.
See All 14 Clinical Operations Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsClinical Operations Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Clinical Operations Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Revolution Medicines5
- Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals1
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center1
- Labcorp1
- Latigo Biotherapeutics1
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals13
- Healthcare & Medical Services1
- Science & Research1
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in clinical operations director jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in nursing, health administration, or a related clinical field required
- Minimum five to seven years of progressive clinical or healthcare operations management experience
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-site or multi-department clinical programs in California settings
- Proficiency with electronic health record systems such as Epic or Cerner
- Knowledge of California Department of Public Health regulations and Joint Commission accreditation standards
- Master's degree in health administration, business administration, or clinical specialty strongly preferred
Clinical Operations Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a clinical operations director in California?
Most clinical operations directors in California build toward the role through a combination of a bachelor's degree in a clinical or health administration field, several years of frontline clinical or operational experience, and progressive management responsibility. Many California employers, particularly large health systems and biotech firms, prefer candidates with a master's in health administration or business administration. Credentials such as a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives or a Project Management Professional designation strengthen applications considerably in the California market.
Which companies hire clinical operations directors in California?
Employers hiring clinical operations directors in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Arrowhead Pharmaceuticals, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's concentration of integrated health systems, academic medical centers, and biotechnology headquarters means hiring is spread across both traditional hospital employers and life sciences companies managing clinical trial operations.
Which California cities have the most clinical operations director jobs?
Redwood City, San Francisco, and South San Francisco have the most clinical operations director openings in California. The Bay Area and Los Angeles dominate because of their density of large health systems, biotech and pharmaceutical headquarters, and academic medical centers, while San Diego draws consistent demand from its established life sciences corridor, particularly among companies managing multi-site clinical trial programs.
Are there remote clinical operations director jobs in California?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since clinical operations directors often oversee on-site teams, facility compliance, and patient care workflows that require regular physical presence. About 29% of clinical operations director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those that are tend to involve clinical trial oversight, program development, or administrative functions that can be managed without daily on-site attendance.
How can I get hired as a clinical operations director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is moving into a clinical operations manager or program coordinator role first, which large California health systems such as Kaiser Permanente and Dignity Health regularly post as a step below director level. Gaining experience in quality improvement, care coordination, or ambulatory operations gives you the cross-functional exposure California employers look for when promoting to director. Completing a master's in health administration through a California institution and pursuing a healthcare management certification can offset limited direct leadership experience for strong internal candidates.
Where can I find and apply to clinical operations director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to clinical operations director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to each one.
See All 14 Clinical Operations Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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