H-1B Visa Clinical Operations Lead Jobs
Clinical Operations Lead roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under USCIS guidelines, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in clinical research, life sciences, or a related field. Sponsors file an LCA with DOL before your I-129 petition, certifying your role meets prevailing wage standards for your work location.
Find H-1B Visa Clinical Operations Lead JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 20+ Clinical Operations Lead jobs
See all Clinical Operations Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Clinical Operations Lead roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
AbbVie Clinical Data Strategy and Operations is the best-in-class team within its cross-industry peer group and is responsible for bringing people, process, and technology together to generate business value from clinical trials data. Our operational model is exemplified through execution and innovation. This role is key to ensuring successful delivery against the program- and study-level accountabilities assigned to Clinical Data Strategy and Operations (CDSO).
Responsibilities
- Aligns CDSO study teams with program- and study-level strategies. For assigned studies, leads the CDSO Study Team and represents CDSO as a member of the cross-functional study team
- For assigned studies, acts as single point of contact and accountable operational lead from CDSO. Coordinates associated CDSO study teams to meet operational objectives. Engages and connects global functional and cross-functional teams
- Interacts with and influences cross-functional team members to achieve program and study objectives
- Utilizes operational analytics and project management tools to optimize execution of programs and studies, to manage internal and external resources, to track study progress, and to prepare study status reports. Anticipates and identifies issues that could affect timelines or quality and develops options and solutions
- Ensures adherence to federal regulations and applicable local regulations, Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), ICH Guidelines, AbbVie Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and to functional quality standards. Stays abreast of new and/or evolving local regulations, guidelines and policies related to clinical development
- Participates in oversight of vendors and provides feedback related to study operations, issues, and trends in performance
- Responsible for coaching and mentoring Data Science Associates. May include indirect supervision of work for contract resources
- Participates in CDSO and cross-functional innovation and process improvement initiatives
- Contributes to study execution “lessons learned” across functions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, management information systems, computer science, life sciences or equivalent. Master’s preferred. PMP Certification or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt desired
- Must have at least 3+ years of pharma / clinical research / data management / health care experience or 5+ years of project management experience (and/or applicable work experience)
- Strong understanding of clinical trial process and clinical technology. Experience in managing a clinical trial from initiation through to completion is preferred
- Demonstrated effective leadership skills
- Demonstrated ability to influence others without direct authority
- Demonstrated effective communication skills
- Demonstrated effective analytical skills
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
Company Description
About AbbVie
AbbVie's mission is to discover and deliver innovative medicines and solutions that solve serious health issues today and address the medical challenges of tomorrow. We strive to have a remarkable impact on people's lives across several key therapeutic areas including immunology, oncology and neuroscience - and products and services in our Allergan Aesthetics portfolio. For more information about AbbVie, please visit us at www.abbvie.com. Follow @abbvie on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
Job Description
AbbVie Clinical Data Strategy and Operations is the best-in-class team within its cross-industry peer group and is responsible for bringing people, process, and technology together to generate business value from clinical trials data. Our operational model is exemplified through execution and innovation. This role is key to ensuring successful delivery against the program- and study-level accountabilities assigned to Clinical Data Strategy and Operations (CDSO).
Responsibilities
- Aligns CDSO study teams with program- and study-level strategies. For assigned studies, leads the CDSO Study Team and represents CDSO as a member of the cross-functional study team
- For assigned studies, acts as single point of contact and accountable operational lead from CDSO. Coordinates associated CDSO study teams to meet operational objectives. Engages and connects global functional and cross-functional teams
- Interacts with and influences cross-functional team members to achieve program and study objectives
- Utilizes operational analytics and project management tools to optimize execution of programs and studies, to manage internal and external resources, to track study progress, and to prepare study status reports. Anticipates and identifies issues that could affect timelines or quality and develops options and solutions
- Ensures adherence to federal regulations and applicable local regulations, Good Clinical Practices (GCPs), ICH Guidelines, AbbVie Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and to functional quality standards. Stays abreast of new and/or evolving local regulations, guidelines and policies related to clinical development
- Participates in oversight of vendors and provides feedback related to study operations, issues, and trends in performance
- Responsible for coaching and mentoring Data Science Associates. May include indirect supervision of work for contract resources
- Participates in CDSO and cross-functional innovation and process improvement initiatives
- Contributes to study execution “lessons learned” across functions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in business, management information systems, computer science, life sciences or equivalent. Master’s preferred. PMP Certification or Lean Six Sigma Green Belt desired
- Must have at least 3+ years of pharma / clinical research / data management / health care experience or 5+ years of project management experience (and/or applicable work experience)
- Strong understanding of clinical trial process and clinical technology. Experience in managing a clinical trial from initiation through to completion is preferred
- Demonstrated effective leadership skills
- Demonstrated ability to influence others without direct authority
- Demonstrated effective communication skills
- Demonstrated effective analytical skills
Additional Information
Applicable only to applicants applying to a position in any location with pay disclosure requirements under state or local law:
- The compensation range described below is the range of possible base pay compensation that the Company believes in good faith it will pay for this role at the time of this posting based on the job grade for this position. Individual compensation paid within this range will depend on many factors including geographic location, and we may ultimately pay more or less than the posted range. This range may be modified in the future.
- We offer a comprehensive package of benefits including paid time off (vacation, holidays, sick), medical/dental/vision insurance and 401(k) to eligible employees.
- This job is eligible to participate in our short-term incentive programs.
Note: No amount of pay is considered to be wages or compensation until such amount is earned, vested, and determinable. The amount and availability of any bonus, commission, incentive, benefits, or any other form of compensation and benefits that are allocable to a particular employee remains in the Company's sole and absolute discretion unless and until paid and may be modified at the Company’s sole and absolute discretion, consistent with applicable law.
AbbVie is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to operating with integrity, driving innovation, transforming lives and serving our community. Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled.
US & Puerto Rico only - to learn more, visit https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.html
US & Puerto Rico applicants seeking a reasonable accommodation, click here to learn more:
https://www.abbvie.com/join-us/reasonable-accommodations.html
See all H-1B Visa Clinical Operations Lead Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new H-1B Visa Clinical Operations Lead Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship in Clinical Operations Lead
Verify your degree supports specialty occupation
USCIS requires a direct relationship between your degree field and Clinical Operations Lead duties. A degree in clinical research, nursing, public health, or life sciences strengthens your case far more than a general business degree.
Check employer LCA filings by occupation
Use Migrate Mate to filter employers by verified DOL Labor Condition Application filings for clinical operations roles, so you're targeting companies with documented H-1B sponsorship history rather than guessing from job postings alone.
Target CROs and sponsor-heavy pharma companies
Contract Research Organizations and large pharmaceutical companies file H-1B petitions for clinical operations roles consistently. Prioritize employers with active clinical trial pipelines, since role demand directly drives their willingness to sponsor.
Benchmark your prevailing wage before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before accepting an offer. Your employer's LCA must certify they'll pay at least that amount, so knowing it protects your negotiating position.
Confirm your role's scope covers supervisory duties
USCIS scrutinizes Clinical Operations Lead petitions where the job description blurs with coordinator-level work. Ensure your offer letter explicitly frames your responsibilities around oversight, protocol development, and cross-functional team leadership.
Submit your petition before the April cap deadline
H-1B cap registrations open in March for October 1 start dates. Clinical operations roles at cap-subject employers require selection in the lottery, so you and your employer need to align on timing well before the USCIS registration window closes.
H-1B Visa Clinical Operations Lead: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Clinical Operations Lead role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes, provided the employer requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field such as clinical research, life sciences, nursing, or public health. USCIS evaluates whether the degree requirement is specific to the role, not just any bachelor's degree. Roles that accept unrelated degrees or substitute years of experience without a degree requirement face higher petition scrutiny.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for Clinical Operations Lead positions?
Large pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and Contract Research Organizations are the most consistent H-1B sponsors for clinical operations roles. Academic medical centers and hospital networks also sponsor for clinical trial oversight positions. You can browse verified sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate, which surfaces companies with confirmed DOL LCA filing history for this role type.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement apply to this role?
Before filing your I-129 petition, your employer must file an LCA with DOL certifying they'll pay you at least the prevailing wage for a Clinical Operations Lead in your specific work location. Wage levels vary by geography and experience tier. You can verify the applicable wage using the OFLC Wage Search tool, which reports wages by SOC code and metropolitan area.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new employer if I switch clinical operations jobs?
Yes, H-1B portability lets you start working for a new employer as soon as they file a transfer petition, without waiting for USCIS approval, as long as your current H-1B is valid and you haven't violated status. Your new employer must file a new LCA and I-129 covering the Clinical Operations Lead role at the new company before your start date.
What happens to my H-1B status if my clinical trial project ends or my role is eliminated?
If your employer terminates your position, you enter a 60-day grace period during which you can seek a new sponsoring employer, change to another visa status, or depart the U.S. Your previous employer is responsible for your return transportation costs if they terminate you before your authorized period ends. Acting quickly on a transfer petition within that window preserves your options.