Research Director Jobs in California
Research Director jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology and life sciences, technology and AI research, public health, and academic medicine, with openings at every level from newly promoted associate director through senior and chief research officer. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco and the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where anchor institutions and employers such as UCSF, Genentech, and the RAND Corporation maintain deep, ongoing research leadership demand. The most in-demand specialties are clinical and translational research, AI and data science research, and health policy. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 65+ Research Director jobs
If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.
Day - 08 Hour (United States of America)
This is a Stanford Health Care job.
A Brief Overview
The Director of Clinical Research Billing will be responsible for ensuring and overseeing the clinical research billing infrastructure (coverage analysis, clinical research budgets, calendars, research charge review, development and maintenance of research charge master, and sponsor invoicing) to provide the most efficient, compliant, and innovative support to meet the needs of the research community.
As a leader, the Director of Clinical Research Billing will work to ensure financial sustainability that attracts sponsors and external collaborators. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive compliance programs to ensure adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. The Director of Clinical Research Billing will collaborate and have direct interaction with a broad set of stakeholders across the institution, including Principal Investigators, study sponsors, study teams, finance/accounting, revenue cycle, internal audit, compliance, business office leaders, and clinic operational teams. In doing such, the Director will ensure open and clear communication with respect to processes and billing compliance regulations.
The Director's responsibilities include overseeing the management of departmental staff and ensuring department management's clarity of vision and efficiency of processes. In addition, this role will require oversight of direction for all activities associated with coverage analysis, calendars, research charge review/segregation, and sponsor invoicing - specifically ensuring that these documents and processes are conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. The Director of Clinical Research Billing sets the direction for developing and implementing unified policies, procedures, education, and training related to research billing for revenue cycle staff, investigators and staff conducting clinical research.
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What you will do
Perform management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the Clinical Research Billing department. Provide development and mentoring of staff. Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department turnover. Develop direct reports to perform these same functions.
Provide fair and consistent leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular Clinical Research Billing department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/recommendations to achieve desired outcomes.
Facilitate and promote effective team dynamics and team-building strategies within and between departments; participate and/or lead and facilitate department process improvements as needed.
Meet or exceed threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
Facilitate/Lead a Clinical Research Billing Committee comprised of members from research, compliance, clinical and financial areas to support Clinical Research Billing Compliance.
Manage Research Billing and Coverage Analysis resources (internal or vendor)
Responsible for reviewing study calendars, coverage analysis, and study expenses.
Responsible for overseeing revenue cycle post-award activities, such as research charge review, patient care billing for all clinical trials, reviewing trends in revenue capture and reimbursement, and forecasting financial impacts pertaining to clinical research activities.
Develop policies and procedures and workflows associated with clinical research billing.
Deliver successful collection results with industry KPI and benchmark metrics.
Partners with study teams, School of Medicine, Revenue Cycle, Compliance, and Internal Audit.
Manage day-to-day department operations, schedules, and activities. Set priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
Drive department service standards and activities to impact department and/or system score for customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serve and actively participate on various entity committees as a voice for the department.
Contribute to the development and management of a training program for all individuals involved in the clinical research revenue cycle process, including research and non-research professionals.
Develop and maintain a compliance program that address all aspects of clinical research billing, including coverage analysis, clinical research budget reconciliation (harmonization), calendars, research charge review, and study invoicing.
Implement and monitor assigned relevant compliance program components such as coverage analysis, Epic Research Billing Charge Review, and optimal use of the OnCore Clinical Trial Management System.
Manage the design, management, and completion of an array of research billing compliance audits that are designed to determine compliance with policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations. Utilize the results of audits performed to drive a comprehensive educational program.
Respond to reported, suspected, or confirmed instances of research billing non-compliance. Participate in Compliance and other committees as required. Work collaboratively with the Internal Audit and Business Practices to respond to deficiencies and to strengthen research billing internal processes.
Provide ongoing training and education to staff on compliance procedures and requirements to ensure that all team members are knowledgeable about current regulations and best practices.
Ensure that the organization is prepared for regulatory inspections or audits by maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation and evidence of compliance.
Stay informed of regulatory compliance, payer policy changes, industry trends, and best practices that impact and/or influence billing policies and procedures, and Epic/OnCore system changes. Communicate impact to executive leadership timely and appropriately.
Ensure strict adherence to internal controls is maintained.
Provide oversight and quality assurance for coverage analysis, calendar builds, budgets, research charge review, and sponsor invoicing, as needed.
Identify process gaps and potential billing and coding inaccuracies and work with interdisciplinary teams to address these gaps.
Use and optimize information systems to enhance operations; supports entity-specific performance improvement and data management/analysis functions.
Adopt lean principles in driving process improvements.
Partner with the School of Medicine to optimize study activation time by participating in feasibility analysis, service identification/pricing and pre-award budgeting process improvement
Ensure a safe and effective working environment; monitor and/or revise the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines, including infection control principles. Monitor and confirm staff maintain their required credentials that demonstrate competency per accrediting agency or department guidelines as applicable.
Collaborate with Revenue Cycle and School of Medicine training teams to develop and deploy training and education materials.
Assist in the development of department budget and ensure that the department operates in a cost-effective manner. Manage/audit department expenses within approved budget parameters, ensuring that the department meets the budgeted/flex revenue and/or expense targets on a monthly and annual basis. Develop staffing plans and schedules to meet department/patient needs that reflect understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness.
Ensure that coverage analysis fees are invoiced and paid timely by the School of Medicine department/division/study.
Assist in the analysis of profit and loss associated with clinical trial billing; provide guidance on clinical trial charge description master and fee schedules
Implement department strategies to achieve financial target and staffing needs, developing others to do the same, through optimizing productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
Provide accurate and timely financial status reports to the study teams and investigators.
Identify and implement innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations or other department-specific measures by leading unit projects and/or other department/system directed/shared governance activities. Develop and optimize the workflows associated with the use of Epic research related modules, providing operational input for Epic build/configuration. Support change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Proactively evaluate processes; recommend and implement action plan(s) for change; follow through to ensure effective, sustainable change. Participate in the development and implementation of new procedures and the review and revision of existing procedures.
Identify opportunities and take action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals.
Seek opportunities to identify developmental needs of self and staff and take appropriate action.
Education Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Health Care Administration, or a related field.
Experience Qualifications
Eight (8) years of progressive management experience in clinical research operations.
At least five (5) years of progressive experience related to research finance/billing compliance.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Advanced knowledge of CMS billing rules and regulations such as National Coverage Determinations, Local Coverage Determinations, and specifically the Clinical Trial Policy (NCD 310.1).
Strong understanding of the overall clinical research lifecycle, especially coverage analysis, research charge review, budgeting, and sponsor invoicing processes.
Advanced knowledge of CPT/HCPCS and other healthcare related terminology.
Demonstrates an understanding of physician and hospital billing.
Ability to effectively communicate through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message.
Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills.
Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.
Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
Applies sound judgment in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations applying to compliance and monitoring.
Excellent problem-solving skills, including but not limited to creativity, adaptability, resourcefulness, timeliness, and technical knowledge related to analyzing and resolving financial, compliance, issue escalation/resolution and/or institutional challenges impacting clinical research through the lens of billing
These principles apply to ALL employees:
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $94.35 - $125.03 per hourThe salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
If you're ready to be part of our legacy of hope and innovation, we encourage you to take the first step and explore our current job openings. Your best is waiting to be discovered.
Day - 08 Hour (United States of America)
This is a Stanford Health Care job.
A Brief Overview
The Director of Clinical Research Billing will be responsible for ensuring and overseeing the clinical research billing infrastructure (coverage analysis, clinical research budgets, calendars, research charge review, development and maintenance of research charge master, and sponsor invoicing) to provide the most efficient, compliant, and innovative support to meet the needs of the research community.
As a leader, the Director of Clinical Research Billing will work to ensure financial sustainability that attracts sponsors and external collaborators. Additionally, the Director will be responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive compliance programs to ensure adherence to all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. The Director of Clinical Research Billing will collaborate and have direct interaction with a broad set of stakeholders across the institution, including Principal Investigators, study sponsors, study teams, finance/accounting, revenue cycle, internal audit, compliance, business office leaders, and clinic operational teams. In doing such, the Director will ensure open and clear communication with respect to processes and billing compliance regulations.
The Director's responsibilities include overseeing the management of departmental staff and ensuring department management's clarity of vision and efficiency of processes. In addition, this role will require oversight of direction for all activities associated with coverage analysis, calendars, research charge review/segregation, and sponsor invoicing - specifically ensuring that these documents and processes are conducted in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and institutional policies. The Director of Clinical Research Billing sets the direction for developing and implementing unified policies, procedures, education, and training related to research billing for revenue cycle staff, investigators and staff conducting clinical research.
Locations
Stanford Health Care
What you will do
Perform management responsibilities of selection, scheduling, supervision, retention, and evaluation of employees in the Clinical Research Billing department. Provide development and mentoring of staff. Meets or exceeds threshold goal for department turnover. Develop direct reports to perform these same functions.
Provide fair and consistent leadership and communication to maintain a competent and engaged employee group by conducting regular Clinical Research Billing department meetings to review policies and procedures and operational matters, rounding on all employees, completing performance appraisals, conducting new hire feedback sessions, coaching/corrective counseling, and providing recognition/recommendations to achieve desired outcomes.
Facilitate and promote effective team dynamics and team-building strategies within and between departments; participate and/or lead and facilitate department process improvements as needed.
Meet or exceed threshold goal for department and/or system metrics on employee engagement indicators.
Facilitate/Lead a Clinical Research Billing Committee comprised of members from research, compliance, clinical and financial areas to support Clinical Research Billing Compliance.
Manage Research Billing and Coverage Analysis resources (internal or vendor)
Responsible for reviewing study calendars, coverage analysis, and study expenses.
Responsible for overseeing revenue cycle post-award activities, such as research charge review, patient care billing for all clinical trials, reviewing trends in revenue capture and reimbursement, and forecasting financial impacts pertaining to clinical research activities.
Develop policies and procedures and workflows associated with clinical research billing.
Deliver successful collection results with industry KPI and benchmark metrics.
Partners with study teams, School of Medicine, Revenue Cycle, Compliance, and Internal Audit.
Manage day-to-day department operations, schedules, and activities. Set priorities and functional standards, giving direction to staff as necessary to ensure the best possible delivery of service and high customer/patient satisfaction.
Drive department service standards and activities to impact department and/or system score for customer-based satisfaction, through role modeling and fostering accountability. Serve and actively participate on various entity committees as a voice for the department.
Contribute to the development and management of a training program for all individuals involved in the clinical research revenue cycle process, including research and non-research professionals.
Develop and maintain a compliance program that address all aspects of clinical research billing, including coverage analysis, clinical research budget reconciliation (harmonization), calendars, research charge review, and study invoicing.
Implement and monitor assigned relevant compliance program components such as coverage analysis, Epic Research Billing Charge Review, and optimal use of the OnCore Clinical Trial Management System.
Manage the design, management, and completion of an array of research billing compliance audits that are designed to determine compliance with policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations. Utilize the results of audits performed to drive a comprehensive educational program.
Respond to reported, suspected, or confirmed instances of research billing non-compliance. Participate in Compliance and other committees as required. Work collaboratively with the Internal Audit and Business Practices to respond to deficiencies and to strengthen research billing internal processes.
Provide ongoing training and education to staff on compliance procedures and requirements to ensure that all team members are knowledgeable about current regulations and best practices.
Ensure that the organization is prepared for regulatory inspections or audits by maintaining accurate and up-to-date documentation and evidence of compliance.
Stay informed of regulatory compliance, payer policy changes, industry trends, and best practices that impact and/or influence billing policies and procedures, and Epic/OnCore system changes. Communicate impact to executive leadership timely and appropriately.
Ensure strict adherence to internal controls is maintained.
Provide oversight and quality assurance for coverage analysis, calendar builds, budgets, research charge review, and sponsor invoicing, as needed.
Identify process gaps and potential billing and coding inaccuracies and work with interdisciplinary teams to address these gaps.
Use and optimize information systems to enhance operations; supports entity-specific performance improvement and data management/analysis functions.
Adopt lean principles in driving process improvements.
Partner with the School of Medicine to optimize study activation time by participating in feasibility analysis, service identification/pricing and pre-award budgeting process improvement
Ensure a safe and effective working environment; monitor and/or revise the department safety plan and/or any specific accreditation/regulatory required safety guidelines, including infection control principles. Monitor and confirm staff maintain their required credentials that demonstrate competency per accrediting agency or department guidelines as applicable.
Collaborate with Revenue Cycle and School of Medicine training teams to develop and deploy training and education materials.
Assist in the development of department budget and ensure that the department operates in a cost-effective manner. Manage/audit department expenses within approved budget parameters, ensuring that the department meets the budgeted/flex revenue and/or expense targets on a monthly and annual basis. Develop staffing plans and schedules to meet department/patient needs that reflect understanding of the importance of cost-effectiveness.
Ensure that coverage analysis fees are invoiced and paid timely by the School of Medicine department/division/study.
Assist in the analysis of profit and loss associated with clinical trial billing; provide guidance on clinical trial charge description master and fee schedules
Implement department strategies to achieve financial target and staffing needs, developing others to do the same, through optimizing productivity, supply/resource efficiency, minimizing incidental overtime and overtime percentage, and other areas according to department specifications.
Provide accurate and timely financial status reports to the study teams and investigators.
Identify and implement innovative solutions for practice or workflow changes to improve department operations or other department-specific measures by leading unit projects and/or other department/system directed/shared governance activities. Develop and optimize the workflows associated with the use of Epic research related modules, providing operational input for Epic build/configuration. Support change initiatives, maintaining effectiveness when experiencing major changes in work responsibilities or environment; adjust effectively to work within new work structures, processes, requirements, or cultures.
Proactively evaluate processes; recommend and implement action plan(s) for change; follow through to ensure effective, sustainable change. Participate in the development and implementation of new procedures and the review and revision of existing procedures.
Identify opportunities and take action to build strategic relationships between one’s area and other areas, teams, departments, and units to achieve business goals.
Seek opportunities to identify developmental needs of self and staff and take appropriate action.
Education Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Finance, Health Care Administration, or a related field.
Experience Qualifications
Eight (8) years of progressive management experience in clinical research operations.
At least five (5) years of progressive experience related to research finance/billing compliance.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrates the skills and competencies necessary to safely perform the assigned job, determined through on-going skills, competency assessments, and performance evaluations.
Advanced knowledge of CMS billing rules and regulations such as National Coverage Determinations, Local Coverage Determinations, and specifically the Clinical Trial Policy (NCD 310.1).
Strong understanding of the overall clinical research lifecycle, especially coverage analysis, research charge review, budgeting, and sponsor invoicing processes.
Advanced knowledge of CPT/HCPCS and other healthcare related terminology.
Demonstrates an understanding of physician and hospital billing.
Ability to effectively communicate through a variety of channels with patients, physicians, family members and co-workers in a manner consistent with a customer service focus and application of positive language principles; engages the recipient(s) and helps them understand and retain the message.
Demonstrates leadership qualities and critical thinking through self-direction initiative and effective interpersonal skills and oral/written communication skills.
Ability to identify and understand issues, problems, and opportunities, comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probable consequences.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.
Excellent analytical and interpersonal skills.
Applies sound judgment in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, laws, rules, and regulations applying to compliance and monitoring.
Excellent problem-solving skills, including but not limited to creativity, adaptability, resourcefulness, timeliness, and technical knowledge related to analyzing and resolving financial, compliance, issue escalation/resolution and/or institutional challenges impacting clinical research through the lens of billing
These principles apply to ALL employees:
SHC Commitment to Providing an Exceptional Patient & Family Experience
Stanford Health Care sets a high standard for delivering value and an exceptional experience for our patients and families. Candidates for employment and existing employees must adopt and execute C-I-CARE standards for all of patients, families and towards each other. C-I-CARE is the foundation of Stanford’s patient-experience and represents a framework for patient-centered interactions. Simply put, we do what it takes to enable and empower patients and families to focus on health, healing and recovery.
You will do this by executing against our three experience pillars, from the patient and family’s perspective:
Know Me: Anticipate my needs and status to deliver effective care
Show Me the Way: Guide and prompt my actions to arrive at better outcomes and better health
Coordinate for Me: Own the complexity of my care through coordination
Equal Opportunity Employer Stanford Health Care (SHC) strongly values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity and non-discrimination in all of its policies and practices, including the area of employment. Accordingly, SHC does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity and/or expression, religion, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, veteran status, or disability, or the perception of any of the above. People of all genders, members of all racial and ethnic groups, people with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. Qualified applicants with criminal convictions will be considered after an individualized assessment of the conviction and the job requirements.
Base Pay Scale: Generally starting at $94.35 - $125.03 per hourThe salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, internal equity, experience, education, specialty and training. This pay scale is not a promise of a particular wage.
See All 65 Research Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Director JobsResearch Director Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Director Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Technology & Software
- Education
- Banking & Financial Services
- Media & Entertainment
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research director jobs across California.
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a relevant scientific or technical discipline
- Demonstrated leadership of multi-disciplinary research teams and large-scale study programs
- Strong record of peer-reviewed publication, grant acquisition, or industry R&D output
- Experience managing IRB submissions, regulatory compliance, or FDA research protocols
- Proficiency with California-relevant research infrastructure including UC system or state health data systems
- Ability to collaborate across California academic medical centers, biotech firms, or public agencies
Research Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research director in California?
The most common path to a research director role in California starts with a doctoral degree in a relevant field followed by several years of progressively senior research or faculty experience. California does not issue a state license specific to research directors, but roles in clinical research often require compliance with California Health and Safety Code requirements and familiarity with CDPH or UC system protocols. A strong publication record, grant leadership experience, and prior management of research staff are the credentials that drive competitive candidacy.
How much do research directors make in California?
Research directors in California earn a median of about $210,230 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $130,730 for the lowest 10% to over $330,050 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research directors in California?
Employers hiring research directors in California right now include Vir Biotechnology, AMD, and Lila Sciences, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of biotechnology firms, academic medical centers, and technology companies makes it one of the deepest markets in the country for sustained research director demand.
Which California cities have the most research director jobs?
The cities with the most research director openings in California are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Santa Clara. The San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego lead because of their high concentrations of biotech headquarters, research universities, and life sciences campuses, while Los Angeles draws demand from its large academic medical centers, entertainment technology research divisions, and public health institutions.
Are there remote research director jobs in California?
Yes, and more than many senior research roles, because research directors often split their time between strategy, writing, and stakeholder work that can be done off-site. About 43% of research director openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, with the remote-eligible share concentrated in policy research, data science research, and program oversight roles rather than lab-based or clinical positions.
How can I get hired as a research director in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic path for candidates without director-level experience is to enter as a research manager, principal investigator, or senior scientist at a California academic medical center or major biotech company such as those in the UC system, Kaiser Permanente, or South San Francisco corridor firms, then build toward director promotion internally. UC campuses and large California health systems frequently run postdoctoral leadership development and research management training tracks. A completed doctoral degree paired with demonstrated grant management or team supervision, even at modest scale, gives candidates a credible entry point.
Where can I find and apply to research director jobs in California?
You can find and apply to research director jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find the roles that fit your experience and apply directly.
See All 65 Research Director Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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