Clinical Director Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the most active states for clinical director visa sponsorship, with major health systems like Kaiser Permanente, Sutter Health, and UCSF Health regularly hiring internationally. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego concentrate the bulk of openings, spanning hospital networks, behavioral health organizations, and community health centers across the state.
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INTRODUCTION
Imagine how your ideas and expertise can change a patient’s life. We generate extensive clinical evidence to demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of our innovations and how our products transform patients’ lives. As part of our Clinical Affairs team, you’ll hone your scientific curiosity and passion for evaluating data to increase access to pioneering technologies for patients in need. In close partnership with principal investigators, dedicated medical professionals, patient advocacy groups, and regulatory authorities, you will drive the evidence needed to optimize patient outcomes.
Dedicated to innovation, our Surgical business unit is focused on identifying and solving critical, unmet needs in cardiac surgery. In understanding the challenges of open-heart surgery, we partner with surgical teams to deliver modern technologies intended to enhance patients’ quality of life and expand their potential treatment opportunities. It’s our driving force to help patients live longer and healthier lives. Join us and be part of our inspiring journey.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Senior Director, Clinical Affairs will provide leadership and clinical expertise in support of new product development and/or marketed products. We launched several clinical studies in 2026 and plan to start more in 2027. We are looking for an experienced trials leader with great people leadership skills to join our team and lead our global studies portfolio.
How you will make an impact:
- Direct clinical activities with overall responsibility of developing systems, planning, staffing, budgeting, managing expense priorities, recommending and implementing changes to methods through manager(s) and/or experienced professionals. Develop a robust talent development and succession planning in alignment with functional growth strategies across the clinical organization
- Oversee the proper management and training of all trial management, CRO staff and field clinical specialists working on Edwards’ research programs
- Analyze, formulate and present recommendations to advise and guide executive level leadership; develop and deliver executive level communication
- Mitigate/eliminate risk, direct and communicate highly complex projects, initiatives and/or strategies which includes negotiations with internal and external parties
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Plan and direct strategic activities including prioritizing and selecting appropriate projects with overall responsibility for meeting business objectives. Lead in identifying risk, developing complex mitigation strategies, best practices, alternative solutions, resolving issues, etc. in collaboration with cross functional and/or matrix teams including but not limited to:
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Ensure on time execution of clinical trials in accordance with global clinical processes, regulations and good clinical practices.
- Effectively partner with internal team members to drive clinical trial success across multiple functions
- Provide strategic leadership and direction including the development and maintenance of significant KOL relationships
- Key stakeholder in Scientific Communication activities: clinical data reports, presentations for Regulatory submissions, conferences and study meetings (e.g., Executive Committees, DSMB, CEC, Steering Committees) and ensure accuracy and relevancy.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
What you will need (Required):
- Bachelor's Degree in in scientific or related discipline with related experience including clinical strategy
- Demonstrated track record in people management with ability to effectively lead and manage a diverse team across multiple geographies
- Experience with Class II & III medical devices preferred, documented current continuing education in clinical research monitoring or experience in Clinical Research
- Proven experience in effectively working with Investigators, physicians and site study teams.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
What else we look for (Preferred):
- Relevant clinical trial experience in heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure areas strongly preferred
- Experience in managing Pivotal and Post Approval clinical trials in the US and Europe.
- Experience in clinical, regulatory and marketing aspects of medical device technology
- Provide leadership and direction to large cross-functional teams to successfully implement global enterprise systems and related solutions
- Proven successful project management leadership skills with ability to meet deadlines on multiple projects
- Expert understanding of clinical regulations/guidelines and procedures (e.g., ICH/GCP E6, ISO14155, CFR 820, Canadian Medical Device Regulation (CMDR), EU MDD/MDR) while looking beyond existing methodologies and own discipline to define and resolve complex problems
- Excellent financial and business acumen
- Expert understanding and application of industry best practices
- Demonstrated ability to direct teams and provide coaching and feedback, including responsibility for all employee actions including hire/fire authority and partnering with HR on all aspects of employee relations
- Ability to develop and integrate metrics into the projects and operations that clearly demonstrate the value of clinical affairs to the business
- Serves as core partner to senior leaders in Business Units, Functional Groups, and Regions
- Understanding concepts of biostatistical and actuarial methods
- Fully comply with all US and Global regulations, and SOPs in the execution of all job duties
COMPENSATION
Aligning our overall business objectives with performance, we offer competitive salaries, performance-based incentives, and a wide variety of benefits programs to address the diverse individual needs of our employees and their families.
For California, the base pay range for this position is $209,000 - $296,000 (highly experienced).
The pay for the successful candidate will depend on various factors (e.g., qualifications, education, prior experience). Applications will be accepted while this position is posted on our Careers website.
Edwards is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer including protected Veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Clinical Director Job Roles in California
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Search Clinical Director Jobs in CaliforniaClinical Director Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for clinical directors in California?
Large integrated health systems are the most consistent sponsors for clinical director roles in California. Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, CommonSpirit Health, Sutter Health, and UCSF Health all have established immigration support infrastructure. Academic medical centers affiliated with UC San Diego, UCLA, and Stanford also sponsor clinical leadership positions, as do behavioral health organizations and federally qualified health centers operating across the state.
Which visa types are most common for clinical director roles in California?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa category for clinical directors in California, as the role typically qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring at least a master's degree or equivalent in a clinical or healthcare administration field. Candidates with physician or advanced clinical credentials may also see sponsorship under the O-1A for extraordinary ability. Some nonprofit or government-affiliated health systems can file H-1B petitions outside the annual cap.
Which cities in California have the most clinical director sponsorship jobs?
Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the majority of clinical director sponsorship activity in California. Los Angeles has the highest volume, driven by its large hospital networks and behavioral health sector. The San Francisco Bay Area concentrates roles in academic medicine and integrated care systems. San Diego has a growing cluster tied to its research hospitals and VA healthcare network.
How to find clinical director visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, making it straightforward to identify California employers actively open to sponsoring clinical director candidates. Rather than sorting through general postings, you can browse roles confirmed to include sponsorship, covering hospital systems, behavioral health organizations, and community health networks across Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and other major metros.
Are there state-specific considerations for clinical director sponsorship in California?
California's strict licensing requirements mean employers typically expect clinical directors to hold an active California state license in their clinical discipline before or shortly after starting. For H-1B petitions, the Department of Labor's prevailing wage determination for clinical director roles in California metros is among the highest in the country, which affects employer willingness to sponsor. Organizations operating under nonprofit status may have access to cap-exempt H-1B filings, expanding sponsorship options.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored clinical director jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.