Senior Clinical Trial Manager Jobs in California
Senior Clinical Trial Manager jobs in California are among the most actively recruited in the life sciences sector, with consistent demand from pharmaceutical companies, biotechnology firms, and contract research organizations concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Employers such as Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and AstraZeneca maintain significant California operations and regularly hire at senior levels. The most sought-after specialties include oncology trials, Phase II through IV study management, and regulatory-facing site oversight roles. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Summary/Job Purpose
The Senior Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Operations, combines end-to-end design, execution, and reporting of clinical trials with leadership in study teams and across matrix teams. This position within Clinical Operations is accountable for planning and leading the delivery of studies to time, quality, budget, company standards and scientific requirements as outlined in the clinical study protocol. This involves generating robust and accelerated delivery plans (with a focus on performance) and delivering these to target or stretch thresholds. The Senior Clinical Trials Manager, Clinical Operations, is the Study Delivery Lead (SDL). The SDL is the study accountable person, and the studies may span oncology products from early through to late phase of development and include delivery through one or more of in-house, outsourced and alliance delivery models. The SDL is the Clinical Operations leader of the Study Delivery Team (SDT).
Essential Duties And Responsibilities
- Accountable for the global study delivery strategy (e.g., country selection, diversity, patient engagement strategy, recruitment plan, etc.) and for overall study deliverables.
- Drive assessment, selection, engagement, management, and oversight of appropriate vendors.
- Ensure compliance with ICH/GCP guidelines, all applicable laws, and regulations, and Exelixis SOPs, for all products and services delivered for their designated studies.
- Make decisions which balance risk/benefit with clear understanding of impact on the study and project; takes action to mitigate risk where appropriate.
- Work with matrix partners, Clinical Operations Program Lead and/or manager to develop and manage study level budget within project allocation.
- Prepare materials for internal governance and/or financial review cycles.
- Actively partner to build relationships and collaborate with aligned staff in other functions.
- Encourage others within matrix and line teams to seek alternative perspectives and develop solutions.
- Lead and conduct investigator meetings and other study related meetings and participate in governance meetings, as necessary.
- Identify and communicate resource gaps for assigned studies.
- Lead risk management and quality efforts to ensure study compliance and continual inspection readiness.
- Lead/contribute to ways of working and process improvement initiatives.
- Provide expert clinical operational input into protocol development.
- Partner with Data Management and Clinical Sciences to develop the data cleaning strategy for the study.
- As the SDL, lead the SDT and actively partner to build relationships and collaborate with SDT functional members.
- Work with the appropriate functions to develop patient centric documents and address patient burden.
- Contribute to and engage Clinical Operations staff in process development, innovative problem solving, training initiatives as needed.
- Provide proactive and consistent oversight of CRO and vendor performance.
- Support Clinical Operations Program and/or Indication Lead with key study level status updates, with a particular focus on delivery to corporate and project level objectives.
Supervisory Responsibilities
- None
Education/Experience
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS:
- BA/BS in biological sciences or related field and a minimum of 9 years of related experience; or,
- MA/MS in biological sciences or related field and a minimum of 7 years of related experience; or,
- PhD/PharmD in biological sciences or related field and a minimum of 2 years of related experience; or,
- Equivalent combination of education and experience.
Experience/The Ideal For Successful Entry Into Job
- Typically requires a minimum of 9 years of related experience in life sciences, including 7 years of experience in clinical research and at least 4 years of study management.
Knowledge/Skills
- Experience in either starting a study up, working on the maintenance phase, or close-out of study.
- Protocol development experience.
- Proven ability to provide clinical expertise to a clinical development program.
- Proficiency in clinical studies involving complex design.
- Experience in independent preparation of clinical sections of IND, BLA, or NDA.
- Demonstrated ability to write and present clearly using scientific and clinical issues terminology.
- Experience with management of multinational clinical trials.
- Experience in interactions with outside vendors, e.g., CROs and contract labs.
- Demonstrated matrix leadership skills.
- Detailed knowledge of regulations and guidelines.
- Excellent organizational and planning skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills and communication skills (both written and oral).
- Ability to work effectively in a team/matrix environment.
- Applies strong analytical and business communication skills.
Job Complexity
- Capable of anticipating, identifying, prioritizing and resolving task-related challenges.
- Ability to write and present clearly especially on scientific and clinical issues.
- Ability to work effectively in a team/matrix environment.
- Excellent interpersonal, organizational, supervisory and project planning skills.
- Demonstrated professional collaboration skills.
Desired Behaviors
- Approaches problems and solutions with an enterprise mindset, considering broad impact to portfolio, regional and global functions.
- Ability to study, analyze and understand new situations and business problems and identify appropriate solutions.
- Curious in planning; agile in execution.
- Operationally excellent and drives others towards excellence.
- Resilient in the context of a rapidly changing environment.
- Organized with a systematic approach to prioritization.
Exhibits Exelixis Leadership Commitments
- We drive for results, so patients can survive and thrive.
- We are resilient in the face of adversity, and tireless in advancing our science.
- We celebrate our long history of prolific drug discovery and rigorous drug development.
- We unite to launch innovative medicines for difficult-to-treat cancers.
- We exist to give people hope – one drug, one patient at a time.
- We are Exelixis.
Lives The Exelixis Core Values Daily
- Be Exceptional (Take the right action and lead others to do the right thing at the right time in the right way).
- Exceed Together (Apply rigor, resourcefulness, and respect to maximize opportunities and deliver impactful results).
- Excel for Patients (Innovate to design solutions and remove barriers to show how much we care).
Working Conditions
- Travel may be required up to 20% in support of clinical study activities.
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us! Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several U.S. geographic markets, and we pay differently based on those defined markets. The base pay range for this position is $172,000 - $245,000 annually. The base pay range may take into account the candidate’s geographic region, which will adjust the pay depending on the specific work location. The base pay offered will take into account the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, experience and internal equity, among other factors. In addition to the base salary, as part of our Total Rewards program, Exelixis offers comprehensive employee benefits package, including a 401k plan with generous company contributions, group medical, dental and vision coverage, life and disability insurance, and flexible spending accounts. Employees are also eligible for a discretionary annual bonus program, or if field sales staff, a sales-based incentive plan. Exelixis also offers employees the opportunity to purchase company stock, and receive long-term incentives, 15 accrued vacation days in their first year, 17 paid holidays including a company-wide winter shutdown in December, and up to 10 sick days throughout the calendar year.
DISCLAIMER
The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to the job.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.
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Find JobsSenior Clinical Trial Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Senior Clinical Trial Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Exelixis2

- Revolution Medicines2

- ADARx Pharmaceuticals1

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in senior clinical trial manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's or advanced degree in life sciences, nursing, or a related clinical field
- Minimum five to seven years of clinical trial management experience, including Phase II through IV studies
- Demonstrated experience managing multi-site trials from start-up through closeout
- Proficiency with electronic data capture systems and clinical trial management software platforms
- Strong working knowledge of ICH-GCP guidelines, FDA regulations, and relevant California compliance requirements
- Experience in oncology, rare disease, or biologics therapeutic areas preferred by California employers
Senior Clinical Trial Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a senior clinical trial manager in California?
The most direct path is a bachelor's or advanced degree in a life sciences or healthcare field, followed by progressive clinical research experience, often starting as a clinical research associate or coordinator. California does not require a state-issued license specific to clinical trial management, but holding a certification such as the ACRP Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) or SOCRA CCRP credential is a strong differentiator with California biotech and pharmaceutical employers.
Which companies hire senior clinical trial managers in California?
Employers hiring senior clinical trial managers in California right now include Exelixis, Revolution Medicines, and ADARx Pharmaceuticals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's dense concentration of biotechnology headquarters and pharmaceutical regional offices means hiring volume here tends to be higher and more continuous than in most other states.
Which California cities have the most senior clinical trial manager jobs?
Alameda, Redwood City, and San Diego have the most senior clinical trial manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its concentration of biotechnology headquarters and major academic medical centers, while San Diego's pharmaceutical corridor and Los Angeles's growing oncology and cell therapy ecosystem drive strong hiring in those metros as well.
Are there remote senior clinical trial manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most clinical roles, since senior clinical trial managers spend significant time on documentation, vendor oversight, and cross-functional coordination that can be done off-site. About 0% of senior clinical trial manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting the desk-based and strategic nature of the role at the senior level. Site monitoring and inspection-readiness activities are the parts most likely to require in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a senior clinical trial manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a clinical research coordinator or clinical research associate role, which large California employers such as Genentech, UCSF Health, and Cedars-Sinai Medical Center use as feeders into trial management tracks. Completing the ACRP or SOCRA certification while in a coordinator role accelerates the path. California's contract research organizations also run associate CTM programs that give direct exposure to study management responsibilities before candidates move into fully independent senior roles.
Where can I find and apply to senior clinical trial manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to senior clinical trial manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and preferred location, and apply directly to the employers posting them.
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