Clinical Research Manager Jobs in California

Clinical Research Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, pharmaceutical development, and academic medical centers, with openings at every level from associate clinical research manager through executive director. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where established employers such as Genentech, Johnson & Johnson, and UCLA Health maintain significant clinical operations. The most in-demand specialties are oncology trials, Phase II through IV study management, and regulatory compliance oversight. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles260+
Top employerIQVIA
Top cityLos Angeles, CA
Cities hiring84
Work type49% On-site
Top industryHealthcare

Showing 5 of 260+ Clinical Research Manager jobs

Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
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New 13h ago
Senior Specialist, Clinical Research Monitoring
Edwards Lifesciences
California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$108k - $153k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
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New 15h ago
Clinical Research Specialist-RN - Research/Projects - Sharp Mary Birch - FT 0.9 - 8hr Days
Sharp HealthCare
San Diego, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$59.61 - $86.15/hr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Specialist
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New 16h ago
Clinical Research Specialist
Community Health System
Fresno, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$37.33 - $47.5/hr
Master's degree in health science
10,000+

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Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
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New 19h ago
Clinical Research Coordinator II - Surgery Chair
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Medical Coding & Billing
$60k - $102k/yr
Bachelor's degree in sociology
10,000+

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Clinical Research Associate II
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New 20h ago
Clinical Research Associate II
Abbott
Alameda, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$82k - $141k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 260+ Clinical Research Manager Jobs in California

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Clinical Research Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Los Angeles
40 jobs
San Francisco
21 jobs
San Diego
15 jobs
Stanford
14 jobs
Carlsbad
12 jobs
Orange
11 jobs
Irvine
9 jobs
Sacramento
7 jobs
Los Alamitos
7 jobs

Clinical Research Manager Job Market in California

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

Who's Hiring

  • IQVIA29
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center17
  • Stanford University14
  • Kaiser Permanente12
  • CenExel Clinical Research12

Top Industries Hiring

  • Healthcare & Medical Services12
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals8
  • Education6
  • Consulting & Professional Services4
  • Medical Devices1

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in clinical research manager jobs across California.

  • Bachelor's degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field required
  • Minimum five years of clinical trial experience including supervisory or team lead responsibilities
  • Demonstrated knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines and FDA regulatory requirements
  • Proficiency with clinical trial management systems such as Medidata Rave or Veeva Vault
  • ACRP Certified Clinical Research Professional or SOCRA CCRP certification strongly preferred
  • Experience managing CRO relationships and coordinating multi-site California trial networks

Clinical Research Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a clinical research manager in California?

The most direct path is a bachelor's degree in a life science, nursing, or health-related field followed by several years of hands-on clinical trial coordination experience. California does not issue a state-specific license for clinical research managers, but most hiring managers expect a nationally recognized credential such as the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Professional or the SOCRA CCRP. Large California research institutions and biotechs treat these credentials as a practical hiring standard rather than a preference.

Which companies hire clinical research managers in California?

Employers hiring clinical research managers in California right now include IQVIA, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, and Stanford University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of October 2026. California's dense concentration of biopharmaceutical headquarters and major academic medical centers means the hiring base is unusually broad, ranging from large global sponsors to specialized CROs and hospital-based research programs.

Which California cities have the most clinical research manager jobs?

Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the most clinical research manager openings in California. The Bay Area's concentration of biotechnology headquarters and San Diego's pharmaceutical and biotech corridor drive most of the volume, while Los Angeles draws demand from its large academic medical centers and hospital systems running sponsored trials across multiple therapeutic areas.

Are there remote clinical research manager jobs in California?

Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based roles, since clinical research managers frequently oversee on-site trial activities and investigator visits. About 51% of clinical research manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of October 2026, typically concentrated in study oversight, vendor management, and regulatory document review functions rather than active site monitoring work.

How can I get hired as a clinical research manager in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic starting point is a clinical research coordinator or clinical trials associate role, which large California employers such as UCSF Health, Cedars-Sinai, and UC San Diego Health use as the entry tier for their research pipelines. From there, lateral moves into CRO project associate positions at firms operating out of San Francisco or San Diego build the trial management exposure that California hiring managers require. Earning a SOCRA CCRP or ACRP credential early signals seriousness and accelerates the path to a managerial title.

Where can I find and apply to clinical research manager jobs in California?

You can find and apply to clinical research manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 260+ Clinical Research Manager Jobs in California

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